We are very lucky to have incredibly passionate, hardworking students who choose to volunteer with us via the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme or for work experience. As part of this volunteering, some of the students write blogs, taking time to carefully research their chosen topic. This page contains some of these blogs and is updated regularly.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science by Ev

The 11^th February is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day was first observed in 2016, and it serves to highlight the inequality faced by Women and Girls in scientific careers. 

Did you know? 

– Women are typically given smaller research grants than their male colleagues. 
– In cutting-edge fields like AI, only one in five professionals is a woman. 
– Female researchers often have shorter, less well-paid careers. 

Here are some inspirational women and girls working in a similar field to the Final Straw Foundation. 

Dr Ruth Patrick 

Dr Ruth Patrick was an American botanist and limnologist specialising in freshwater ecology. She played a major role in creating the Clean Water Act. During the 1930s, science was an entirely male-dominated field, but her hard work and dedication paved the way for women in science in the USA. 

Dr Sylvia Earle 

Dr Sylvia Earle is an American marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer and author who works to protect our planet’s oceans. She was named by TIME magazine as its first hero for the planet in 1998 and holds the women’s record for deepest solo dive. 

Nzambi Matee 

Nzambi Matee is a Kenyan mechanical engineer, environmentalist, hardware designer and inventor who pioneered sustainable efforts by recycling plastic to create bricks that can be even stronger than concrete. In 2020, she was awarded Young Champion of the Earth for her work in sustainability. She also founded Gjenge Makers, a Nairobi-based company that works to recycle plastic waste. 

Charlene Ren 

Charlene Ren is a Chinese environmental engineer and social entrepreneur. She is the founder of MyH2O, an information platform that uses data to monitor water quality in rural China. She has a dual master’s degree in environmental engineering, technology and policy and was awarded Young Champion of the Earth in 2020. 

Shark Awareness Day by Sophia

The Importance of Sharks

Sharks are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain. By regulating the populations of other marine species, they help maintain the health of the ocean. Their presence is vital in ensuring the stability of marine ecosystems.

Common Shark Misconceptions

Despite their importance, sharks are often portrayed negatively in the media. Films like “Jaws” have created the myth of sharks as threatening predators. In reality, shark attacks on humans are rare, and most shark species are not a threat to people. In fact, there are around 10 fatal shark attacks a year whilst falling coconuts kill 150 people and ants kill 50 a year!

Conservation Efforts

Shark populations worldwide are facing threats from overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. Conservation efforts are so important to protect these magnificent creatures. Measures such as setting up marine protected areas and implementing sustainable fishing practices can help safeguard shark populations. Over the past 50 years shark numbers have declined more than 70% which has been a loss to biodiversity of our oceans.

How can we help?

There are several ways we can contribute to shark conservation. Supporting organisations dedicated to shark protection, spreading awareness about the importance of sharks, and making sustainable seafood choices are some practical steps we can take to help protect these apex predators.

On Shark Awareness Day, we should take the time to appreciate the beauty and importance of sharks in our oceans. By understanding and respecting these creatures, we can work towards ensuring a healthy and protected marine environment for many years.

Marine Conservation by Nikol

The numerous oceans of our planet cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and host incredible diversity of life in them. The complex diversity is built upon many interconnected webs of food chains relying on each other: from the tiny plankton to the largest whales all of which play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our beautiful planet. All of these incredibly important organisms now sadly have a huge threat posed to them by humans. Marine conservation has become more important now than ever as it tries to protect and conserve our planet for future generations.

Marine Conservation Importance

Biodiversity – The oceans bursting with life provide essential services that support life both in the sea and on land. Marine organisms produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe and absorb carbon dioxide, helping to regulate the global climate. Oceans also provide food, livelihoods, and cultural significance to billions of people worldwide

Economic – The marine environment is a crucial component of the global economy. Fishing, tourism, and shipping are just a few examples of industries hat depend on healthy oceans. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the ocean’s economic value is estimated at $24 trillion. However, overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution to billions of people worldwide.   are ruining this valuable resource.

Threats to Marine ecosystems

• Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices deplete fish stocks and disrupt marine food webs, threatening species survival and local economies. Sadly illegal and unregulated fishing takes 11-26 million tonnes of fish worldwide. Almost 90% of global stock is overfished.
• Pollution: Plastic waste, oil spills, and chemical runoff from agriculture and industry contaminate marine environments, harming wildlife and entering the food chain. About 100,000 marine animals die from entanglement with an additional 100 million which die from consuming the plastic as 12-14 000 tonnes are consumed by the marine animals yearly.
• Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and sea level rise impact marine life, coral reefs, and coastal communities. Of the climate change keeps following the trend it is currently following and the temperatures rise by at least 2 degrees it is estimated that 99% of coral reefs will disappear therefore killing off all the major animals of the ecosystem.
• Habitat Destruction: Activities such as dredging, coastal development, and bottom trawling destroy crucial habitats like coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Habitat destruction has effected the fresh water salmon species in the past as the migration route was disrupted.

Marine Conservation Strategies

Protected Areas: Creating marine protected areas also knows as MPAs is a very effective way to conserve our marine biodiversity. MPAs allow restrict human activities in specific areas, allowing ecosystems to recover and develop without humans damaging it even more. A survey taken in 2021 showed that, only about 7.7% of the world’s oceans are protected which is much smaller than 30% that was proposed by the conservation organisation.

Sustainable Fishing Practices: Increasing sustainable fishing methods can help preserve fish stocks and the marine ecosystems. Therefore limiting overfishing, banning destructive fishing techniques that are very harmful to the marine creatures and supporting local communities that are developing sustainable practices.

Pollution Reduction: Reducing marine pollution requires both global and local action. Everybody’s small contributions such as the reduction of single-use plastics, improved waste management systems can make a huge difference on how much plastic enters our oceans.

Climate Change Mitigation: Facing issues caused by climate change is critical for marine conservation. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, are essential for preventing the impacts of climate change on marine environments.

How can you help?

Educate Yourself and Others: Understanding the importance of marine conservation and spreading awareness can lead to positive change. Share information with friends and family, and engage in conversations about ocean protection.

Reduce Plastic Use: Minimising your use of single-use plastics and supporting companies that prioritise sustainable packaging can help reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the oceans.

Support Conservation Organisations: Many organisations are dedicated to protecting marine environments. Consider supporting them through donations, volunteering, or participating in citizen science projects.

Advocate for Policy Change: Engage with policymakers to advocate for stronger regulations on marine protection, sustainable fishing, and pollution control.     

Conclusion

Marine conservation is our shared responsibility that requires global and local action. By protecting and restoring our oceans, we can ensure that future generations inherit a healthy and vibrant marine environment. Every action, no matter how small, can contribute to the preservation of our oceans. Let’s work together to save our planet!

“Conservation is the preservation of life on earth, and that, above all else, is worth fighting for.”

– Rob Stewart

World Reef Awareness Day by Nikol

What is World Reef Awareness Day?

Each year the World Reef Awareness Day is celebrated on June 1st. This day is dedicated to highlighting the importance of coral reefs and the threats they face. Coral reefs, often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea,” are among the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Despite their significance, they are under severe threat due to human activities and climate change. This day serves as a reminder that it is our responsibility to protect these underwater worlds.

The Importance of Coral Reefs

Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, yet they support about 25% of all marine life. These ecosystems are home to over 4,000 species of fish. Coral reefs also provide essential services to humans, including coastal protection, tourism, and fisheries. For example, the Great Barrier Reef alone generates over $6 billion annually and supports 64,000 jobs. Additionally, coral reefs act as natural barriers, reducing wave energy by up to 97%. Furthermore, many medicines, including those used to treat cancer, HIV, and cardiovascular diseases, are derived from organisms found in coral reefs.

The Threats to Coral Reefs

Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures cause coral bleaching, while ocean acidification weakens coral structures. The 2016 global bleaching event devastated over 90% of the Great Barrier Reef.

Pollution: Agricultural runoff , plastics, and oil spills poison reefs. Around 11 billion plastic items are currently entangled in reefs across the Asia-Pacific.

Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices and the removal of key species disrupt reef ecosystems and promote harmful algal growth.

How You Can Help?

Reduce Carbon Footprint: Use less energy and support renewable sources to combat climate change.

Minimize Plastic Use: Opt for reusable items and participate in cleanups to keep plastics out of the ocean.

Support Sustainable Seafood: Choose responsibly sourced seafood to reduce pressure on reef ecosystems.

Practice Responsible Tourism: Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching or damaging corals when visiting reefs.

Educate and Advocate: Spread awareness and support conservation initiatives.

Final Straw Foundation Action

In order to prevent the problem from getting worse all of the things mentioned above have to try to be followed. It is important to understand that even a small contribution but from a large community of people can result in unbelievable change. Final Straw Foundation could host a large beach clean up event involving volunteers and then form the plastic collected artwork from which an exhibition can be hosted. Through doing this we would both collect the some of the plastic endangering our reefs but at the same time spreading the awareness through the exhibition.

Conclusion

World Reef Awareness Day is more than just a day to recognise the beauty of coral reefs—it’s a call to action. These ecosystems are vital to the health of our planet, supporting vast biodiversity, protecting coastlines, and sustaining millions of people. However, the danger posed to them has consequences for marine life and human communities alike. By taking steps to reduce our impact, we can help ensure that coral reefs continue to thrive for generations to come. Let’s work together to protect these incredible underwater worlds and the life they support!