Keep Our Beaches Clean

Since I was little, I have always wanted to walk on white sandy beaches with waters a deep blue, where you can see the fishes from above. Given that I could only see them on television, I have always thought that these paradise-like places are far away – in other countries. So when I saw a picture of Semporna Island – it was stunning! And when I realized that it’s in Sabah, I was very surprised! Never in my mind did I imagine such an idyllic paradise was here in Malaysia.

Stunning Cenang Beach in Langkawi. By Rohan Waghmare (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Although blessed with such natural beauty, regrettably most public beaches that I have visited in Malaysia are becoming an eyesore. Plastic bottles, food wrappers, polystyrene cups and even cigarettes are everywhere, some buried in the sands, others floating on the water. People are sometimes advised not to walk barefoot while on the beach as well as in the waters as the debris is not just an eyesore, but can be dangerous as well. Swimmers, beachgoers and tourists might get injured from stepping on broken glass bottles. Sea creatures such as turtles might mistake plastic bags for food or become trapped in the ropes or nets (which can be fatal). Even for the fishermen, the debris could do damage to their boats and impact their livelihood.

Trash at Pulau Perhentian. By Colocho (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

These past few years we have heard some efforts made by local authorities, corporations, as well as NGOs to keep the beach cleaner and safer. One of the efforts made are beach cleanups where volunteers gather and together they collect the debris along the shores, under the waters and sorted them out for recycling. This effort however does not promise a long-term solution. It is more important that we change our littering habits. When you go to the beach, you can do whatever you want – play, rest, run, jump – but the one thing you should not do is litter!

Petrosains PlaySmart recently organised a beach cleanup at Kuantan.

 The ocean is more than just a vast pool of water for sea creatures and humans to swim around. The ocean supplies oxygen, food and water to us. Therefore it is important for us to ensure our ocean is always clean and healthy so that we, too, are always healthy. Let’s be the change today and help clean up the shores for a start for a safe beach, pristine waters, and the continued preservation of the natural beauty of our oceans.

Join Petrosains in “Our Earth, Our Home” Weekend Special on 23^rd -  24^th March 2013. Join us for fun activities throughout the science centre. Our artistic face-painters  and energetic science buskers will be around to ensure that you have great fun too!

On 23^rd March 2013 there will be a special performance entitled, “Inspirasi Haiwan” at 11.30am and 2.30pm. This performance is about dance movement inspired by animals which will incorporate beautiful music and choreography as interpreted by ASWARA (National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage).

Shared by Iman, Communications Intern at Petrosains