SDG 14
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SDG 14 is: "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development." Oceans and seas cover over 70% of our planet. Our existence depends on them for food, water, energy, and more, yet they're suffering from overfishing and plastic pollution. By keeping our oceans clean and our fish stocks healthy, we'll ensure that the Earth will remain habitable for humankind for centuries to come. This is an SDG badge.
Meerkat requirements
Fish live in the sea, but we as humans make it very difficult for them. We make lots of plastic and other things that eventually become junk and end up in the seas. Try your best to make a difference with the people you come across. Do 3 of these:
- Do the Recycling badge to make an impact in your community.
- Do the Collector badge. Ask friends, family, and the rest of your Group to help out. For example, making Eco Bricks is lots of fun, and keeps all that plastic out of our rivers and seas.
- Pick up litter. This can be done as a Den, Group, District or Region. Make sure to wear your uniform so your community can see how you help (don’t forget the sun cream). It can be an outing or you could go on a hike (... extra badge 😊), walk along the sea shore or at a park. Get out in the open air and see what you can collect.
- Carry out an experiment showing how hard it is to take fine pollution (e.g. micro plastic) out of water. Better to use something natural that is fine, so that we aren’t adding to the problem, e.g. quinoa or oats.
Additional resources
Cub requirements
This was part of the 2020 National Cub Challenge. Complete either the FIRST or SECOND set of challenges:
- As a Pack, complete the entry level badge requirements for the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge badge
- Do TWO of the following:
- Create an underwater diorama.
- As a Six have the Cubs write (and illustrate) a story or comic book on life below water.
- Do ONE of the following:
- In celebration of World Rivers Day on 27 September 2020, monitor the health of a river and measure the general quality of the water by conducting a mini SASS (stream assessment scoring system).
- To raise awareness of the role of the oceans and the importance of conserving and protecting our marine environment, run a water activity on/near World Oceans Day on 8 June 2020.
- Identify a section of river or beach that is used for recreation and which is polluted with plastic. As a Pack, possibly with a Troop too, organise a clean-up of 2 days at least 2 months apart. How much new litter was there?
Additional resources
Scout requirements
Complete either the FIRST or SECOND set of challenges:
- Complete the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge badge up to Champion level.
- Complete THREE of the following:
- At a campfire perform a skit with your Patrol on why we need the ocean.
- By 2050 it is estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the sea. Try and stop using single use plastic at home and create a campaign to encourage others to do the same. Share your campaign with a Meerkat Den or a Cub Pack.
- Take part in a clean-up project at a local dam/river/ocean. Publicise what you have done.
- Complete the Water Biologist Interest badge.
- Complete the Leader Level badge requirements for the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge badge
Additional resources
Rover requirements
Complete either the FIRST or SECOND set of challenges:
- Complete the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge badge up to Champion level.
- Complete THREE of the following:
- Earn the Public Health Award.
- Earn the Project Award.
- By 2050 it is estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the sea. Try and stop using single use plastic at home and create a campaign to encourage others to do the same. Share your campaign with a Cub Pack or Scout Troop.
- Complete the Leader Level badge requirements for the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge
Additional resources
Adult requirements
Complete either the FIRST or SECOND set of challenges:
- Complete the Champion Level of the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge and register your work. Involve a Scout Troup or Cub Pack where possible.
- Complete any THREE:
- Do ONE of the following:
- Identify threats to the ocean system (e.g. over-fishing, plastics) and explain how this affects the relative fragility of the ocean ecosystem. Do a short write up on your findings.
- Investigate and do a write up on the following: What is sustainable fishing? Why is it used and is sustainable fishing important? Name and explain the different sustainable fishing techniques. Which fishing method is the most harmful to our environment?
- Discuss what you understand by Ocean Gyres. What has caused them? Is there any hope of getting rid of them and how? Document your answer.
- What is the ecological importance of coral reefs? Discuss and document - giving examples.
- Open and read “The South African Seafood Initiative”. Apply to receive their newsletter as well as be a volunteer. Explain how you will be helping.
- Eating seafood is part of any South African’s diet. But making sensible choices when it comes to seafood in order for sustainability, is new to many of us. Make a full list of all the fish you would normally consume (or have heard others consume) and find out how they rate on the SASSI list. Are your choices all green? Will you need to alter your choices in order to save over-fishing of our waters?
- Do ONE of the following: