There’s a scene in the award-winning US sitcom 30 Rock which features David Schwimmer dressed up as “Greenzo – America's first non-judgmental, business-friendly environmental advocate”. My favourite scene sees him chastise a colleague for leaving the refrigerator door open commenting ‘Here's a tip, Cerie. Decide what you want before you open the refrigerator. You just released enough hydroflorocarbons to kill a penguin... *produces a photo of a penguin*…This penguin!”

While everyone makes jokes about the environmental zealot who wants to restrict everyone to 20 second showers and fashions dresses out of naturally fallen leaves, there is no doubt in any rational person’s mind that green matters are ones of extreme importance. It still faintly appalls me when I see people casually throwing their trash in the wrong recycling bins. I mean, really. Remember that game you played as a child where you had to fit various wooden blocks into the correct shape? This isn’t that different.  Only if you did that incorrectly, it didn’t result in the demise of the planet. Or did it? A sobering thought for three year olds everywhere.

In addition to the basics of recycling and not using the pavement as your personal trash can, there are plenty of environmental and green initiatives with which you can get involved in London, starting right here at the London Aquarium. The Aquarium is actively involved in Marine Conservation, Local Conservation and Sustainable Food Initiatives amongst much more.  Britain is surrounded by incredible marine life including sharks, turtles, dolphins and eels but, unfortunately, through poor fishing practice, pollution and resources being drained from the sea, both the ocean and its animal inhabitants are under great threat. Details of all these initiatives are available in more detail at the Aquarium itself and also at the website here.

Particularly close to my heart is the Aquarium’s effort towards Penguin Conservation. I’m aware that makes it sound like I was raised by penguins and now feel a burdening debt towards them but in reality, I just find the little guys amazing. During my trip, there was one in particular that stood out; he seemed to be conscious that an audience was watching him and wanted to do something impressive yet could not work out what that should be. Such a quandary resulted in him shuffling up to the glass to look at everyone and then shuffling away uncertainly before dramatically hurling himself into the water in a gesture worthy of a Palme D’Or performance. I’m actually getting genuinely emotional just thinking about it. I would definitely recommend a trip to the Aquarium, if only to see him.  I named him Elgar although concede he may not respond to this.

If penguins don’t appeal then, well, firstly, let me know so I can put you on My List. Secondly, fear not – there are a host of other marine based pals for you to encounter. Sharks are another top attraction for many people. The tank is positioned in such a way that you can stand underneath it and look up at the sharks and stingrays (amidst much more) and feel properly immersed in the experience. My companion inquired as to if the sharks ever preyed on the smaller fish; I suspect they do not as I imagine turning up to work every morning to find an empty tank with one solitary yet full looking shark could get a tad tiresome and expensive (on that note, if I did work at the Aquarium, I would almost certainly play ‘Under the Sea’ at every possible opportunity while harbouring an ambitious dream of one day choreographing the marine life to perform the song’s routine). The venue also contains other oceanic favourites such as sea-turtles, graceful creatures which have the aura of a sagacious old man. I actually have a tortoise who has similar attributes and would probably quite like to see his aquatic relative; I like to think he’d regard it as his version of a mermaid. Or Mer-Reptile (which incidentally sounds like an amazing B-movie horror that I may or may not start writing at some stage). One of the seemingly shy sea turtles had actually wedged his face into the corner of the tank and didn’t move for a good few minutes leading me to question if he was, in fact, dead. A question I would then regret posing aloud upon noticing a host of concerned young children standing next to me.  

Lastly, I set you a challenge. If you do visit the Aquarium, try and find the below fish. This fish is amazing. Look. At. His. Colours. This is a psychedelic fish who seems like he swum here from the Woodstock-era past (possibly to teach you about environmental conservation). If seeing this aquatic colour palette darting around a tank does not bring a smile to your face, well, I suspect you’re the type of person who doesn’t like penguins either and sorry buddy, I can’t help you.

To find out more about London aquarium and its conservation initiatives, please visit the website here