Why Children Should Be Involved In Ocean Conservation
The ocean is crucial to sustaining life on Earth. It absorbs carbon emissions, gives home to many diverse species, and is part of our all-important water cycle. Of course, the ocean also greatly contributes to the fishing industry here in Pictou County. For generations, the sea has given sailors their livelihoods and now thanks to those brave souls, and the sea, the lobster business is now a 2 billion dollar industry. Unfortunately, the ocean has been a victim of climate change for some years now. This has led to the destruction of habitats, warming water, ocean acidification, and a loss in our once great shores beaming with life. The ocean is in dire need of a rescue, or else the life it sustains could be in great jeopardy.
What people may not realize is that our negative impact on the seas is also having a major impact on the mental health of young people and children. New studies reported by the BBC have identified a growing rise in “eco-anxiety” in school-aged children. Eco-anxiety is defined as “extreme worry about current and future harm to the environment caused by human activity and climate change”. According to the same report, children are showing a higher rate, with 75% saying the future is frightening, with some even saying humanity is doomed. Worse yet, some young people are now experiencing eco-paralysis, in which they feel so afraid about the future of the planet, that they do not believe anything can be done to save it, and thus there is no point in them trying.
However, our planet is not as doomed as it may seem if we actually do the work to save it. It is crucial for young people to not feel hopeless in this endeavour, as they are the next people to grow up and take of the Earth. When young people are inspired, not defeated, they can be a part of an incredible change for our very own ocean that can be seen out our windows. Young people of all ages should get excited about saving our ecosystems, and it is important that the adults in their lives are facilitators of this wonder and curiosity. Adults are a child’s first role model and teacher, therefore it may be equally important for them to model climate awareness and hope.
There are many ways to get children interested in protecting our waters, but it helps if they feel like they are having fun and playing. Education does not have to be a chore, and children can have plenty of fun learning about the water we have here just on the coast. Firstly, a trip to the beach can be a great starting point (and lots of fun too). Find shells along the shore, look at jellyfish (from a distance), and observe low tide pools to see what is living there. Encourage children to ask questions, and get down in the sand for a hands-on experience, this will promote curiosity and investment in ocean life. Caregivers should also not shy away from some potentially hard questions about the human impact on the water, answering honestly is the most helpful path to take, however approaching every hard fact with hope and optimism is the best way to avoid furthering a child’s anxiety.
Right next to our museum is a shoreline full of mussels, oysters, snails, seaweed, and more! To further strengthen their knowledge, take a tour of our natural heritage exhibit where you can learn more about the shells and critters you saw in your exploration. Our museum also has a touch tank that youngsters have been known to love. Staff members can handle our live lobsters for your kiddos to touch, and get a close look at! Helping children understand our connection to the natural world that is so crucial to our county is the first step in creating a lifelong journey to protecting it. Diminishing eco-anxiety and replenishing the oceans is a group effort, and our younger populations are going to be key players. At the Northumberland Museum of Fisheries, we would love to be included in the support and guidance of your child’s growing curiosity.