Plastic debris in the ocean is a growing water quality concern. Plastics are designed to last for centuries, yet the material is used for disposable items by the billions. As a result, much waste ends up in the ocean, harming marine life and damaging ecosystems. UGA Marine Extension Service and Georgia Sea Grant have developed a program specifically for children about the harmful impacts of marine debris, encouraging sustainable actions that help protect the natural environment.
UGA Marine Extension Service and Georgia Sea Grant have launched a program called Reading Between the Lines: Marine Debris Education for Children in Georgia. The project educates inland and coastal audiences about the sources and impact of marine debris. In March and February alone the program reached more than 1,200 individuals, primarily children.
Multimedia readings of the book, The Flying Debris, are held at public and elementary school libraries. In the book, written by MAREX Brunswick Station’s Lisa Liguori and illustrated by Ed Hose, marine animals living on an island of trash teach children lessons about local and global marine stewardship. Participating libraries receive a permanent set of marine debris-related children’s books, including a hardcover copy of The Flying Debris. Children learn about the impacts to Georgia’s coastal and ocean ecosystems through hands-on activities that illustrated the global scope of marine debris.
Furthermore, participants are shown practical ways individuals can help protect the environment. During the program, children are also taught the importance of educating others. Through a survey, participating students and teachers were asked to assess the program’s success. Following the program, 96 percent of children said they would encourage others to reduce, reuse and recycle. In an online survey for teachers, 100 percent responded that they thought continuing with plastic ocean debris education could lead to a change in the way out culture thinks about and uses plastics.
For more information on the program, visit http://www.marex.uga.edu or http://georgiaseagrant.uga.edu.
