New Delhi: On World Oceans Day that takes place every year on June 8, Internationally-acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik lights up Odisha’s Puri beach with mesmerising sand artwork showcasing the unfortunate plight of the marine animals who die every year due to plastic pollution. The Padma Awardee, Sudarsan Pattnaik’s artwork message is – ‘Save Our Oceans’ and ‘Stop Plastic Pollution’, in line to this year’s World Oceans Day theme – ‘prevent plastic pollution and encourage solutions for a healthy ocean’.
Sharing the message with netizens through his social media, Sudarsan Pattnaik said,
On #WorldOceansDay my SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha with message #SaveOurOcean and #StopPlasticPollution. Plastic pollution is causing tremendous harm to our marine life.
Also Read: World Oceans Day: Save Our Oceans From Plastics Before It Is Too Late
View Sudarsan Pattnaik’s Post
Today is #WorldOceansDay my SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha with message #SaveOurOcean #StopPlasticPollution. Plastic pollution is causing tremendous harm to our marine life . pic.twitter.com/2GDmardOas
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) June 8, 2018
In the last few days, Sudarsan Pattnaik has spread the message of beat plastic pollution through his plastic pollution themed artworks. On the World Environment Day, the artist took the world by storm by creating his “biggest sand turtle” sculpture at Odisha’s Puri beach with message #BeatPlasticPollution.
My Biggest Sand Turtle, 50ft long & 30ft wide with installation of plastic bottles at Puri beach in Odisha with message #BeatPlasticPollution on #WorldEnvironmentDay pic.twitter.com/mDOv5cWc9Z
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) June 5, 2018
On World Turtle Day, which is celebrated on May 23, the artist created a sand art portraying the plight of turtles that die every year due to plastic pollution.
On #WorldTurtleDay My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha with message #BeatPlasticPollution. pic.twitter.com/HLKoLW6Si0
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) May 23, 2018
How Plastic Pollution Is Affecting Our Oceans
Plastic pollution causes tremendous harm to our marine resources – according to United Nations, globally, 8 million tonnes of plastic per year ends up in the ocean, wreaking havoc on wildlife, fisheries, and tourism. Moreover, plastic pollution costs the lives of 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals per year and causes $8 billion in damage to marine ecosystems each year.
According to World Economic Forum (WEF), if we continue to use plastic at this rate then by 2050, our oceans will have more plastic than fish.
On the occasion of World Oceans Day, we all should come together and take a pledge to save this precious source of life by ditching the use of single-use plastic items – straws, bottles, bags, cups, disposable glasses, pens, basically all things plastic.
