It’s good news that the starfish population is bouncing back after a disease wiped out large numbers of the echinoderms.

Starfish wasting is also a good reminder of how delicate our ecosystem is, and why we need to take steps to protect our seas, oceans and other waterways.

Microbeads are rapidly emerging as a damaging product that’s spilling into our ecosystem, and they’re starting to turn up in the foods that we eat.

Microbeads are those tiny pieces of plastic commonly used in facial scrubs, hand soaps, toothpaste and other personal grooming products found in our bathrooms. They really serve no purpose other than in marketing a product to consumers.

The problem is, microbeads don’t biodegrade. Scientists studying the Great Lakes and ocean environments have sounded the alarm that polyethylene beads are damaging to the fish that eat them.

Other states have addressed microbeads, but a bill in the Washington State Legislature has languised.

Ultimately, it will likely be up to consumers to address the growing threat to our food chain by calling for changes and rejecting products containing microbeads.

Major corporations have shown a willingness to enact changes in the wake of findings about the impacts of microbeads. After publicly declaring microbeads as safe, mega-giant Proctor & Gamble did an about face and announced it is phasing out use of the microbeads in Crest toothpaste.

One product down, but many more to go.

Proctor & Gamble didn’t make the same decision for some of its Olay products that include polyethylene beads. Microbeads also are prevalent in many products sold by Johnson & Johnson.

Humans are by default the stewards of the environment and need to use their consumer and voting power to protect our natural resources.

On Whidbey Island, it’s no secret that the marine environment is a huge part of what draws people here to live and play. The March 2012 burning and sinking of the marine vessel Deep Sea was a very in-your-face demonstration of the significant damage to our surround waters that can be caused by humans.

As consumers, we have have the clout to get companies to remove microbeads. It’s a matter of speaking up and directing your spending to products that are more friendly to the environment.

Ultimately, it has everything to do with the quality of life we enjoy on Whidbey Island, in the United States and throughout the world.