“Teach our children that every little piece of non-biodegradable tita is a threat to our sustainability”

Dear Editor, In Monday's (01/09/14) paper you have the front page headline 'It’s in our DNA to conserve the ocean: Puna'. I would like to believe this, but think that it’s more important in this industrial day and age to remember that it’s what practical life skills we teach our children about living here on our Pacific islands that will really matter to our environment.Turning a couple of pages is the very sweet story about the Titikaveka Girl Guides' loom band fundraiser - and then on the next page, a story about the tragic state of our oceans - a marine scientist's report about toxic floating plastic islands which are poisoning & choking fish, birds, sea life. These stories may not seem it - but they are related. We all need to be better at dealing with the waste that is imported daily in packaging and products that can harm this island we live on and its surrounding eco system. This is an environmental issue that should be talked about at every opportunity with children who are using and making loom band jewellery - the new imported craft craze that uses little rubber bands to make fun plastic bracelets.In a nutshell, little bits of plastic and silicone rubber do not bio-degrade completely - and our sea life and ocean environment will suffer directly with every loom band that is discarded carelessly, accidently or otherwise. Some may think picking on the loom band craze is petty stuff - but the proof is there that fish, birds and sea life are consuming our plastic waste and the flow on to us and our own future is threatened. Everything is connected, the same goes with all plastic that is not recycled, and disposed of thoughtfully. It starts at the' micro' level and relates to our own actions and what we teach our children. Please - teach our children that every little piece of non-biodegradable tita is a threat to our sustainability - and ultimately our own future health. We are all linked in a great environmental chain - and need to protect the future of our planet and people we love! So kids - keep making stuff and being creative - but look after our oceans too! Ani O'Neill Ngatangiia

Dear Editor, In Monday's (01/09/14) paper you have the front page headline 'It’s in our DNA to conserve the ocean: Puna'. I would like to believe this, but think that it’s more important in this industrial day and age to remember that it’s what practical life skills we teach our children about living here on our Pacific islands that will really matter to our environment.Turning a couple of pages is the very sweet story about the Titikaveka Girl Guides' loom band fundraiser - and then on the next page, a story about the tragic state of our oceans - a marine scientist's report about toxic floating plastic islands which are poisoning & choking fish, birds, sea life. These stories may not seem it - but they are related. We all need to be better at dealing with the waste that is imported daily in packaging and products that can harm this island we live on and its surrounding eco system. This is an environmental issue that should be talked about at every opportunity with children who are using and making loom band jewellery - the new imported craft craze that uses little rubber bands to make fun plastic bracelets.In a nutshell, little bits of plastic and silicone rubber do not bio-degrade completely - and our sea life and ocean environment will suffer directly with every loom band that is discarded carelessly, accidently or otherwise. Some may think picking on the loom band craze is petty stuff - but the proof is there that fish, birds and sea life are consuming our plastic waste and the flow on to us and our own future is threatened. Everything is connected, the same goes with all plastic that is not recycled, and disposed of thoughtfully. It starts at the' micro' level and relates to our own actions and what we teach our children. Please - teach our children that every little piece of non-biodegradable tita is a threat to our sustainability - and ultimately our own future health. We are all linked in a great environmental chain - and need to protect the future of our planet and people we love! So kids - keep making stuff and being creative - but look after our oceans too! Ani O'Neill Ngatangiia