The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships. By now you have probably heard of the plastic soup referred to as the “Garbage Patch” growing in the Pacific. The mass stretches about 500 nautical miles off the coast of California, across the northern Pacific to near the coast of Japan. This stretch of debris includes several Texas size garbage patches.
The soup was discovered by American oceanographer Captain Charles Moore in 1997. He is the founder of Algalita Marine Research Foundation based in Long Beach, California. I highly recommend visiting TED Talks for a short informative presentation by Captain Moore. The situation is poisoning the ocean waters and the sea life that lives there. Ultimately it makes its way into the human food chain as well. Marine animals mistake the plastic for food, whether whole pieces of plastic or broken down particles. Not only is the plastic toxic but broken down particles act like a sponges attracting toxic man-made chemicals like hydrocarbons and DDT that found their way to the ocean.
Many fish and other marine life are being found with an assortment of man-made items including syringes, cigarette lighters and toothbrushes in their stomachs. WTF!
“Eight Million tons of waste reach the sea everyday”. The majority comes from city streets, but also debris makes its way from boats, gullies and toilets. Check out an ad by Klas Ernflo who was commissioned by the Government of Catalunya to raise environmental awareness and help keep the Mediterranean sea clean. The ad lists off the most dangerous species (of pollution), their origin and their destructive behavior.
The best way to be a part of the solution is not supporting the problem. Eliminating single-use plastics like water bottles and plastic bags is an easy habit to practice. Simply bring your own cloth bags when shopping and invest in a stainless steel water bottle or coffee travel mug. Check out EcoUsable for a variety of stainless steel bottles, including self filtering designs that filter tap water through a unique Ionic-Adsorption Micro-filtration System. The exclusive top removes up to 99.99% of pollutants for up to 100 gallons of great tasting filtered water.
Eating locally grown or raised organic foods will certainly cut down on plastic packaging and petroleum as well as provide an immense source of chemical-free nutrients. When buying takeout food, carry along your utensil kit including a cloth napkin. It is simple, doable and easily can become a habit. Many activists in China are speaking out about the waste of disposable wooden chopsticks as well as the strain it puts on the Chinese forests including wildlife. In response they are also carrying their own personal set of reusable sticks.
Since delving deeply into research regarding the plastic soup, facts about plastics and recycling I can honestly say my personal awareness has been raised immensely. I am finding, with the new consciousness, I do have choices that can cut down on my plastic consumption. Visit The Algalita Marine Research Foundation to discover more ways we can make a positive impact towards this very disturbing situation.
Albatross Carcass Filled With Plastic
Photo Courtesy of Algalita Marine Research Foundation
” Mae West”, crawled inside a plastic ring when young, then grew into the deformed shape.