To the Editor,
The shellfish farmer who can no longer grow scallops is sounding an alarm, not just for his business but for the rest of the life in our strait.
The increased acid in the ocean comes from our tailpipes in the form of carbon dioxide that when it is dissolved in seawater becomes carbonic acid. Shellfish cannot form shells if the seawater is too acidic.
I’m wondering, isn’t there something we could do? I deplore all the soap and other cleaning agents we use to keep ourselves so immaculate. We’re interfering with Mother Nature’s processes to keep her world clean.
For decades, I’ve used washing soda in my laundry to minimize the amount of eco-friendly detergent necessary to clean my clothes. I dry as much as I can on a small rack on my deck and my clothes smell fresh and look spanking clean. When I use the dryer, I don’t use dryer sheets – I use a cloth dampened with unscented fabric softener, which works just as well. This cloth can be used 10 times before it must be dampened again. Now, I use washing soda in a dishwasher load along with an eco-friendly dishwasher detergent. I’ve learned that I can dilute my shampoo to 60 per cent water to 40 per cent shampoo and still use a small amount to clean my hair.
If everyone living around Georgia Strait used washing soda in their laundry and dishes, wouldn’t that help to minimize the acidity of the sea water?
Arlene FekeNanaimo
