Why is this topic so close to my heart?
I am very lucky to be able to spend a few weeks each year in a Mediterranean beach house, enjoying the warm touch of the sun as well as cooling and calming effect of the sea. I eagerly wait for that time of the year to be close to the sea side and live in the climate I adore so much. Sitting by the beach and observing how the guests of the hotel with whom we share a part of our beach handle their wastes and treat the sea as a garbage can slash black hole of waste has always taken me by surprise (or more properly disgust). It is interesting to see the difference between a short term and long term state of human mind. If you won't be there next year, why care? It is someone else's beach anyway. I wonder if it ever occurs to one that the seas are mostly connected and where ever you will be next year, your waste will find you.
It is not just about a few beverage cans, a burned cigarette, some napkins flying in the wind on to the ocean which occasionally make some of us jump and try to catch a plastic bag before it sinks and settles on the bottom because once it does, it is very hard to take out. But what about the restaurants, bars and business who rely on the infinite resources of the sea which turned out to be not that eternal after all. This caused in rapid deterioration of the sea water quality and reduction of the fish species even I can point out in the last ten years. I have watched one of the most beautiful bays getting polluted by the Yacht owners who don't want to pay and take care of their wastes year by year.
I would suggest starting by being a little more sensitive and less careless. Did you know that one of the things which dangers the ocean life most is our energy consumption? You can read a very interesting article about ocean acidification which is caused by the carbon dioxide which we pump into atmosphere here. The research shows that oceans absorb a good deal of CO2 (around 30%) which was released during the last century and it continues to do so. Today ocean acidification is called global warming's evil twin.
How to reduce energy consumption? Here are a few things we can do. Switching of electronic devices we don't use, changing our bulbs to energy saving ones, heating less and more wisely, using house appliances more carefully, and many more. Here are a few ideas how to do so.
... number 7 states that the organizations which work for the ocean should be supported. Which brings us to the next topic. La Mer's famous Cream de La Mer now comes in a 100 ml blue heart packaging to remind us of the oceans and to protect them. I had the opportunity to try the cream for the first time (can you believe) last week and here are a few first impressions and thoughts on that one too.
La Mer The Moisturizing Cream comes in an open pot so it is advised no get the product out with a spatula for hygiene reasons. I was quiet surprised to find out that the consistency of the cream is rather thick and if you apply it directly onto the skin, it doesn't glide the way many newly formulated creams do. The recommended way to apply the cream is to warm it up by rubbing it between your fingers until it looks transparent and apply on your face after that. To my experience if you do that you need less product and it is absorbed quiet easily living a dewy and well moisturised complexion behind. I haven't tried the cream under my foundation because right now days are very warm to do so. Cream de la Mer is very rich so in any way I would prefer to use it over the night. When I did so, in the morning my complexion looked nourished and happy until now. However it is rather early to report on the effects so I will use it further and keep you updated on that one.
What are your thoughts about World Ocean Day? Do you think ocean acidification is addressed as much as global warming?
Oh and have you tried La Mer The Moisturizing Cream yet? How do you find it?
I used this cream for two years, and can certify that does nothing for you. Sure, it makes your skin comfortable, but in terms of real skin care, I think this is a case of the Emperor's New Clothes. Investing in good serums is far more efficient, and has had a huge impact in my skin.
The ocean is getting destroyed due to several reasons, the main being the indiscriminate massacre of sharks. Indeed, those creatures keep smaller predators population at bay, so, without them, they grow exponentially, destroying the delicate sea flora, therefore, reducing the amount of oxygen in the water, with has a huge impact globally.
Global warming is a huge business, as many new studies have proven that the tools used to measure global warming, were wrong, and the models, tampered with. If anybody is interested, in my page have a ton of articles on the matter.
of course we will be interested, please feel free to leave a link to check out.
Sharks are one issue, but not the only one it seems. I have seen a documentary a few days ago who were trying to insert a device to check out sharks and see how they move to understand how to protect them.
Serums are indeed good but don't you follow with a cream?
Love your post on the ocean. Like you I love being at the seaside and for ten years didnot fly so went everywhere by ship, so spending long periods on the ocean. When you travel that way you are reminded most of the earth is ocean and not the land we concentrate on. I am on the fence about some of the science re global warming but we are undoubtedly polluting our seas and stifling the ecosystem there.
Re La Mer I am loving the eye gel so far but, as you know, I am not a La creme fan. Most very expensive creams I have tried I 'got' why people were prepared to shell out but this one is a mystery to me.
Thank you so much for the very thoughtful and insightful discussion about the ocean. I love the ocean too, i've spent most of my teenage years either canoeing or sailing... the funny thing is i never learnt to swim properly and i'm afraid of live fishes! LOL!!
I've been a La Mer devotee for decades now! Hahahaa.... it was the only cream that worked for me when I had severe (and i mean really severe) eczema and when i was skiing every other weekend. Yes the creme de la mer needs to be warmed up first then patted on the face. It became a routine, and one that was very soothing. Afterwards I discovered the gel creme, and i was hooked. It works fabulously even in hot humid climates, so you may want to try that!
I'm living practically next to the ocean now so I can definitely relate to your post. The locals here all seem to help with keeping the water clean, though, and I'm very happy to see that.
Thank you for your beautifu article on the threats facing the ocean. I grew up on the Cape Peninsula in South Africa, surrounded by ocean on three sides, and the ocean feeds my soul. It also pains me, the way humans thoughtlessly and ruthlessly plunder and pollute our finite resources. I regularly think of ways in which I can minimise my own contribution to this ravage.
I love La Mer, but not the original Creme de la Mer. I use the Moisturising Lotion in summer and the Moisturising Soft Cream in the winter. I have oily, very sensitive and allergic skin and other than Sisley/Sisleya and Perricone MD this is the only brand I can use. I have good skin for a 47-year-old and whether that's purely because my mom has good skin at 76 or due to the products I use, I shall never know. But if a cream feels comfortable to me, doesn't break me out, nourishes without greasing me up and plumps and resurfaces things nicely I'm happy.
This is a great post Sara! I must admit I do not do everything I can for the environment and it is mostly out of laziness :( In fact having small children I know one of the worse contaminants are disposable nappies but I am not quite ready to adopt an alternative because washable nappies are so much work!
I really appreciate the efforts different brandsdo for the environment and that's always a plus in my book!
Awesome post, Sara, it's really cool of you to bring this subject to our attention. I won't lie, I could do more. I try to do my best though. But you can always do more.
It is disheartening to see the sense of entitlement that some people have when it comes to taking care of our planet and our natural resources. I certainly don't do anything as blatant as throwing garbage in the ocean, and I try to be mindful about my carbon footprint in terms of composting, recycling, turning off lights, etc., but I could certainly do better about changing my purchasing habits to produce less waste (plastic and packaging).
I received a sample of La Crème de la Mer last year and found it to be very rich, which makes it a good night cream for our Canadian winters. I'm actually a big fan of the La Mer Moisturizing Gel Cream, which I find is a nice, light yet moisturizing gel that works well as a day cream.
Thanks so much for the post and gentle reminder to be more kind to our planet, including the seas. Where I live, the cities have banned disposable plastic bags, so you have to bring your own recyclable bag or pay for a recyclable one, and I feel so much better about doing my part. I do miss the convenience, but I don't miss the waste and issues they caused, especially to marine life. It's very good that La Mer is funding some ocean research, but I tried their cream, and wasn't sure what the hype was about. It's a nice cream, that's moisturizing and soothing, but not worth the astronomical price. And yes, it is thick so you have to rub on your fingers to warm it up and thin it out a little. There are many creams that work just as well or better for a lot less. But if someone really loves it, then great, I'm happy for them.
You know, as one of those who lives and works where others go on holidays, simply thank you! Without really getting into how interconnected everything is, I feel that the first step is simply being "a citizen of the world" and not waiting for someone else to pick up your rubbish after you, I don't care if you paid 10€ or 10000€, being considerate should be a given.