Child’s Play

Fishless oceans by 2048? That’s what a group of scientists predicted back in 2006 if humans were to carry on overfishing and polluting the seas.

This information has driven conservation efforts the world over, to the point that just last year, another group of scientists have predicted our oceans could be flourishing again by 2050!

Great news! But not if we don’t continue to act. The new study affirms we will need to continue to make changes to the way we live our lives, in an effort to mitigate the effects of climate change on our oceans.

Today, there is an existing emphasis on lobbying governments to make major changes to the structures of our world. In recent years Extinction Rebellion have highlighted the global costs of climate change upon our earth, costs such as fishless oceans and irreparable damage to wildlife and habitats.

This group, established specifically for the purposes of lobbying government to make the necessary changes, have got everybody talking as they take direct action in the form of peaceful protest, occupying landmarks and marching all over the world. It’s fair to say they’ve had success, but there is still resistance.

The difficulty governments have is balancing needs and economies. There are astronomical costs involved in making the changes Extinction Rebellion have talked about, so they’re not going to happen overnight, despite the backing of scientists.

So what can we, the ordinary citizens of the world, do?

The answer seems obvious, we can all make small changes like turning our backs on plastic straws to save the sea turtles. And we can make our voices heard as we vote for elected representatives that care.

But what we don’t often realise is the power we have to affect a generation of eager minds.

Children’s minds are like sponges, espeacially in their early years. They are more receptive to teaching at this point, than at any other in their lifetimes. This makes it easy to model good habits that they will keep for the rest of their lives.

The author Robert Fulgham wrote “Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” And he was right.

Having spent 20 years working with children, young people and families, I can honestly say that children learn most from watching and doing!

So, what does this mean for our oceans?

We know what is happening to our world, it is well publicised. We also know what needs to happen if our oceans are to thrive again, but as humans we are often resistant to change, especially when our habits are well established over a period of years!

Children are the answer...

Sharing stories of sea creatures, rich in illustrations, depicting the wonders of the world we rarely see will capture their imaginations.

Role playing using masks and costumes encourages freedom of expression.

Small world toys such as fish, divers, boats and water trays allow them to practice posing and solving different scenarios.

Modelling conscientious behaviours such as recycling, reducing or eliminating seafood from your diet, saving water by turning off taps while brushing teeth etc. will have a major impact on developing minds and in turn, behaviours.

Age appropriate conversations with them and around them, will establish an environment of learning.

Answering their questions and involving them in conservation efforts, empowers them to have an impact on their world. And this is essential if we are going to save it.

Placing an emphasis on the education of children, ensures that our efforts made today, will impact on our future.

We can save our oceans, but not on our own!

By Frances Forroy