KION - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News WeatherLocal Organization Aims To Green Our Blue Oceans

Local Organization Aims To Green Our Blue Oceans

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., - It is often said that we know more about our solar system than we do about our own oceans. However, one thing that we do know about our oceans is that they are quickly becoming a soup of trash. It seems as though everywhere you look cans, bottles and cigarett butts litter our beaches.

"And it's a result of our disposable lifestyle that we have come to be very fond of," says "Save Our Shores" program manager Leah Lawerence-Pine.

The grassroots organization hosts a variety of programs that help keep our beaches clean. In a single day last year a global effort, using other branches of the organization, was able to clean up over 7 tons of litter from beaches. 

"It eventually all ends up in our beaches, even if you live in Tahoe, or even inland. All of that stuff will eventually end up out here in the Pacific Ocean," says Lawerence-Pine.

"As you're walking along the beach, or walking your dog in your neighborhood knowing that all of your streets and neighborhoods drain into the ocean. Just pick up the trash that you see as your go each day making sure that your not contributing to the litter, but also helping pick up stuff from other folks everyday."

To help combat the issue, "Save Our Shores", SOS for short created the adopt a beach program. "This is a chance for a business. an organization, a classroom to really take an active role in being involved in their community. They pick a beach sight, close to where they work, live, play. Something that is close to their heart, and they commit to clean it up three times a year," says Lawerence-Pine.