Marine debris, also called marine litter, is solid waste made by humans that is intentionally or accidentally placed into the ocean or seas. Floating waste often gathers in the middle of large circular ocean currents and along coastlines, where it may wash up on beaches, known as beach litter or tidewrack. When people throw waste into the ocean on purpose, it is called ocean dumping.
Oxybenzone, also known as benzophenone-3 or BP-3, is an organic compound. It belongs to a group of chemicals called benzophenones. It appears as pale-yellow crystals that easily dissolve in most organic solvents.
Human activities have a big effect on coral reefs. These activities are causing coral reefs around the world to decline. Harmful actions include mining coral, pollution (both from living things and non-living materials), overfishing, using explosives to catch fish, and digging canals or pathways to islands and bays.
Recreational scuba diving can affect the underwater environment, especially in places where many divers visit. These areas often show signs of harm caused by divers who are not properly trained for the local conditions, do not receive enough information before diving, or do not understand how to protect marine life and ecosystems. However, diving can also have some positive effects.
A sea kayak or touring kayak is a type of boat used for paddling on open waters such as lakes, bays, and oceans. These kayaks are small boats that can handle rough sea conditions. They have a covered deck and can include a spray deck to keep water out.
A manta ray night dive is a nighttime activity to see manta rays. People can participate by scuba diving or snorkeling. One of the most well-known places for these dives is in Hawaii.
Ecotourism is a type of travel focused on nature that aims to help protect the environment. It is usually described as having a small effect on the environment, and it often includes efforts to conserve nature and teach people about the environment. Sometimes, the definition also includes helping local communities earn money or making conservation efforts financially possible.
The Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) is a program in Zimbabwe that helps communities manage natural resources. It was one of the first programs to treat wildlife as a resource that can be used again, while also deciding who owns these resources—local people living near protected areas.
Namibia is one of the few countries in the world that has special rules about protecting nature and its resources in their country’s laws. Article 95 says, “The government must work to improve the well-being of people by using policies from around the world to achieve these goals: keeping ecosystems healthy, protecting important natural processes, preserving the variety of plants and animals in Namibia, and using living natural resources in a way that does not run out. This should help all Namibians, both those living today and those who will live in the future.”
Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, short for MKWC, is a nonprofit organization that works to protect the environment and its wildlife. The Conservancy is located in Nanyuki, which is a UN World Heritage Site and a place with a wide variety of plant and animal life. It is home to 28 different animal species and has a population of about 1,200 animals.