Our new Green Schools’ theme – Global Citizenship Marine Environment.

Our new theme invites schools to look at Global Citizenship in relation to the Marine Environment. Although there are five named oceans, they are all part of one large global ocean, to which we are all connected. The ocean is home to unique biodiversity, provides valuable food and resources and is also a major carbon sink. As an island, Ireland’s climate, history and culture has been hugely affected by the Atlantic Ocean. Did you know that Ireland’s maritime area is seven times the size of Ireland’s land mass? That’s a lot of ocean to protect, and that is exactly what we all need to do.

The marine environment is made up of many, diverse habitats, including cliffs, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons, the intertidal seashore, sand dunes, coral reefs, the open ocean and the deep sea. The main threats facing the marine environment include: marine litter, climate change, overfishing, invasive species, commercial shipping and offshore mining. 

In this theme, we encourage our pupils to both learn about the wonders of the ocean and marine biodiversity and to take action to protect it – in particular, by reducing marine litter. 

Marine litter is any man-made material that has ended up in the marine environment after being discarded (intentionally or accidentally) either on land or at sea. It is estimated that the litter found on beaches only represents about 15% of the total marine litter, with another 15% floating in the ocean and at least 70% to be found on the sea-bed.  

Marine litter poses a serious threat to sea life. Animals like seabirds, fish, turtles and marine mammals, can become entangled in litter, and become injured, suffocate or drown. These animals may also confuse litter with food leading to starvation, illness and death. Once plastic enters the food chain in the ocean, it can have toxic effects impacting the health of larger animals, including dolphins, whales and humans. 

We look forward to working on this theme and protecting our Marine environment.