You’d be surprised how easy it is to help protect the environment by changing just a few things in your daily routine. Check out our easy tips to find out how you can help natural habitats, animals and the general environment in your area (and beyond!).
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Reducing your carbon footprint is a simple thing to do, and it helps enormously in the conservation of our planet.
Using less gas and electric at home, driving fuel-efficient vehicles, and buying locally-sourced food are some of the actions you can take. By making simple changes like these, you can help to slow down the progression of climate change and global warming, which is devastating wildlife around the world.
Save Water
Everyone needs running water, but by using slightly less each day, you will make a positive impact on the world. Clean water is a limited resource, so by just turning off the tap as you brush your teeth, by taking showers rather than baths, or by washing your dishes by hand instead of in a dishwasher, you will help to save water.
Tidy Up!
Whether you’re having a picnic by the beach, or you’re eating a snack on your way home from work, dropping litter is a serious problem in the UK and it causes many problems for the environment. For example, when a stray plastic bag finds its way to the ocean, it can easily entangle sea turtles, fish, and birds. So whatever you’re doing, dispose of your rubbish responsibly at your closest recycling point.
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!
It may surprise you to learn that 80% of household waste is actually recyclable! So, by using your recycling bins properly, you will help to reduce the vast amount of non-biodegradable products that pollute the world. Just a few things that you can recycle include…
- Newspapers and magazines
- Plastic bottles
- Glass bottles
- Food cans
Shop Ethically
As well as recycling your waste where possible, you can also start from the very beginning and shop ethically. By simply doing the following, you will have a positive impact on the environment:
- Buying items that come in biodegradable packaging
- Purchasing recyclable products
- Reusing your shopping bags or using canvas tote bags
These may seem like simple things to do, but they help to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable waste we produce, which is devastating for our planet.
Buy Sustainable Seafood
Eating only sustainable fish helps marine life to survive and thrive. To make sure you’re eating ethically farmed food, simply ask your local shop or fishmonger if their products are sourced responsibly and where their fish comes from. You can also look out for the MSC-certified badge on packaging. But most of all, it’s important to avoid certain seafood that is under pressure from excessive farming, such as the following:
- Atlantic salmon
- Plaice
- Bluefin tuna
- Whitebait
- Conger eels
The Good Fish Guide provides a lot more information on how to choose only sustainable fish.
Hands Off!
Whether you’re visiting an aquarium, paddling in the sea, rock pooling, or taking a local nature walk, never touch wild animals or their habitats. They may seem interesting but they are living beings too, and by interfering with their homes you could be disturbing them.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Sadly, many pet owners will find they can no longer look after their pets – animals require plenty of attention, maintenance and room in order to be cared for properly. If you’re thinking of getting a pet – whether a fish, a cat, a dog, or something more exotic – you need to be sure you have the time and dedication to care for it.
It’s worth supporting your local rescue centre or animal charity when looking to buy a pet. Or if you’re looking for fish, make sure that your pet shop only stocks net-caught, cyanide-free sea life. This way, you will know that your new friend has come from a good home. Also, avoid keeping more exotic sea creatures and amphibians (such as piranhas, turtles, some lizards, and snakes) as pets, since many can quickly outgrow the tank.
Create an Animal-Friendly Environment
It’s important to look after animals, great and small. At our aquarium, we house our friendly romp of otters, as well as our fishy friends. You can help wildlife in your back garden and local area by providing them with safe places to live. Animals just need to have food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young. By simply planting native flowers and putting up bird houses, you are providing a sound home for many insects and birds.
Plant a Tree
Trees produce plenty of oxygen, which means that the air quality surrounding them is excellent. They also store carbon, which helps to offset the harmful byproducts of fossil fuel burning. So if you have space in your back garden, plant a tree to improve the air in your property. You’ll also be inviting a whole host of wildlife into your garden, including birds, insects, and some small mammals.
Learn and Explore
Learn more about marine life by visiting our accredited aquarium where we specialise in educating our visitors about conservation, and protecting marine creatures from around the world.