"Pick Up 3"

Featured on page 134 of the recent issue of Surfing Magazine (The 2nd “Green Issue”, Volume 43. October 2007) is Cobi Emery, a young kid who is publicizing the concept of picking up three items of trash when you leave the beach. This is something I have been doing for years (not necessarily 3 items, sometimes more, sometimes less), and something we should all practice.

Check out Codi’s website at www.pickup3.org

He also made a video promoting the concept that can be seen here: http://www.eastcoastsurfer.com/videos/pickup3/

As a environmental scientist, I have to mention that this is more of an issue of beautification and removal of items that may be hazardous to wildlife (examples: birds and turtles strangled in 6-pack rings and fish and cetaceans choking on plastic bags and baloons) and will not solve the more insidious forms of ocean pollution (specifically, chemical and microbial contaminants), but it definitely promotes awareness and a way of thinking that should be instilled into everyday life of anyone who enjoys and feels tied to the ocean.

Thanks for listening.