The swim was blissful. Deep blue sky, the clear Okinawan sea, vibrant coral, the… “OW!”
A sudden pain in my toe sent me spinning around, or, more accurately, flailing wildly, until I spotted the culprit, a smug-looking triggerfish.
“Ha! Serves you right, human,” I heard it say.
“Hey, what did I do?”
“You can understand me?” The fish looked startled. “Ah, but this is perfect. It means the trial can finally commence.”
“Trial? I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“It’s not just you. It’s humanity! See Exhibit A!” The fish glared at a sheen on the ocean’s surface. “This ‘sunscreen’, as you call it, is everywhere. It damages my home.”
“Well, yes, that is terrible, but you can’t blame all humanity.”
“Watch me.”
“Do you see toxic sunscreen on me? No? That’s because the locals, human locals, who rented me my snorkel told me about the damage it does to coral. They recommended coral-friendly sunscreen and showed me the Visit Okinawa Japan website, which explains how visitors can protect the ocean, and the Green Fins website, which certifies environmentally conscious diving operators” (SDG 14)
“Hmph. Exhibit B!” the fish nosed a discarded plastic bottle forward.
“I’m sorry. That shouldn’t be here. But many humans are trying to reduce plastic waste. The mymizu app maps over 12,000 refill stations across Japan, making it easier to avoid single-use plastic bottles.” (SDG 12)
“It’s a start. What about Exhibit C?” the fish huffed. “Haven’t you noticed my water temperature rising?”
“I won’t deny the damage humanity does, but there are those trying to help. My friends and I hired bicycles from a local business to explore Okinawa rather than taxis. Even back in Tokyo, we use the LUUP cycling app to get home after the trains stop running.”
The fish paused before triumphantly making one final allegation.
“Exhibit D! I heard you climbed Mt Fuji. Just another way for humans to trample on the world.”
“Who have you been listening to? It’s true, but before climbing Fuji, every hiker reads the Fuji Navi safety agreement on the app while the Fujisan-Climb website details rules such as leaving no trace and staying on trails.” (SDG 15)
The fish hesitated before saying, grudgingly,
“This is all very well, but how will you alone make a difference?”
“If studying abroad has taught me anything, it’s that we need to listen to local people who are leading the way. I’ll take what I’ve learned, from the depths of the sea to the tops of the mountains and encourage others to travel more sustainably. If we spent less time accusing one another and more time teaching, I think everyone could make changes to benefit the world we share.” (SDG 4 & 17)
“Hmm…” the fish said. “I still think you’re guilty, but you’ve given me some hope.”
And with a flick of its tail, court was adjourned.
Resources:
• https://greenfins.net
• https://sdgs.un.org/goals
• https://visitokinawajapan.com/travel-inspiration/okinawa-sustainability-and-responsible-travel/
• https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/things-to-know-before-climbing/
• https://www.mymizu.co/home-en#app-en
• LUUP app
• SHIZUOKA FUJI NAVI app
