Among our paramount tasks as Scouts is to care for the environment, and this is no small task these days. When looking for a nearby example of humans' negative impact on the environment, it is hard to find a better example than that of Elm Island on the Potomac, where we spent the recent Survivor Island campout. Across the island, one could see a wide array of washed up flotsam and jetsam, with most of it being plastics. When using that term, 'flotsam and jetsam', it is interesting to look at the meaning. "Flotsam" is debris in the water that was not deliberately thrown overboard, often as a result from a shipwreck or accident. "Jetsam" is debris that was deliberately thrown overboard by a crew of a ship in distress, most often to lighten the ship's load. Jetsam is also garbage that is thrown overboard by careless boaters. A good amount of junk on the island came downstream from activities on land. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association states that the "majority of the trash and debris that covers our beaches and floats in our ocean comes from storm drains and sewers, as well as from shoreline and recreational activities such as picnicking and beach going."
We should endeavor to make our conduct an example and therefore limit both accidental and intentional pollution to land and waterways. We must also help educate others so they understand the long-term impacts to our environment when it comes to improper disposal of garbage. Likewise, we should seek to limit single-use plastics and ensure that we recycle what is recyclable in our communities. Lastly, we should leverage reusable containers whenever possible, like metal or BPA-free water bottles instead of single-use water bottles.
We have one Earth, let's make it last.
A Scout is Thrifty. A Scout is Kind.