The North Pacific Gyre - Do yourself a favour and check out these sites
We've heard plenty about climate change and I would suggest in general, most would agree it's a major problem. At the same time we have to consider we are challenged by ever increasing natural disasters, happening on what seem like more frequent occassions. Well we have another big problem and it seems it does not get the attention it deserves.
The North Pacific Gyre is a huge problem and getting physically bigger by the day. A mass of manmade waste is accumulating in the Pacific Ocean at alarming rates right on our doorsteps. It is measured alongside the size of the United States of America, some say more.
An immeasurable amout of plastic and non biodegradable waste is being swept in to this region by the currents and winds, gathering waste from every pacific rim country we know. Everyday disposable items blown in the wind, swept down the drains and rivers to be drawn by nature to this ever increasing rubbish island.
Algalita foundation has done a tremendous job in identifying and studying this problem and I urge anybody to visit their web site http://www.algalita.org/ (become a member like us).
It brings in to question the age old belief that fish is brain food. You don't have to look too close to find that we are quickly poisoning ourselves. Links have been made with lower human reproductive capabilities, thats a problem !!!
It all has to do with endocrine disruptors (and we know what they are). Suffice to say they aren't good when mixed with human hormones and consequently might not have to worry about climate change.
If you ask me, climate change is just another problem we have to deal with. A big problem, but just another one, like the North Pacific Gyre. We can make a change. Can we reverse the problem, who knows ? It is suggested that the cost of gathering in this giant size rubbish tip would be prohibitive. There's no cost in changing the way we do things, especially when it comes to every day, single use disposable items like burger clams, takeaway meals in foam clamshells and plastic containers, foam cups, plastic water and other drink bottles, plastic plates, rubbish bags and carry bags, meat and produce trays. These are products disposed of everyday in every place in the world and they either end up in a landfill (great !!) or out at sea. Yet there are materials that can replace these disposables at no more cost and more importantly, no impact on the environment.
Here's another site with a movie about the North Pacific Gyre.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/16/vbs.toxic.garbage.island/
The North Pacific Gyre is a huge problem and getting physically bigger by the day. A mass of manmade waste is accumulating in the Pacific Ocean at alarming rates right on our doorsteps. It is measured alongside the size of the United States of America, some say more.
An immeasurable amout of plastic and non biodegradable waste is being swept in to this region by the currents and winds, gathering waste from every pacific rim country we know. Everyday disposable items blown in the wind, swept down the drains and rivers to be drawn by nature to this ever increasing rubbish island.
Algalita foundation has done a tremendous job in identifying and studying this problem and I urge anybody to visit their web site http://www.algalita.org/ (become a member like us).
It brings in to question the age old belief that fish is brain food. You don't have to look too close to find that we are quickly poisoning ourselves. Links have been made with lower human reproductive capabilities, thats a problem !!!
It all has to do with endocrine disruptors (and we know what they are). Suffice to say they aren't good when mixed with human hormones and consequently might not have to worry about climate change.
If you ask me, climate change is just another problem we have to deal with. A big problem, but just another one, like the North Pacific Gyre. We can make a change. Can we reverse the problem, who knows ? It is suggested that the cost of gathering in this giant size rubbish tip would be prohibitive. There's no cost in changing the way we do things, especially when it comes to every day, single use disposable items like burger clams, takeaway meals in foam clamshells and plastic containers, foam cups, plastic water and other drink bottles, plastic plates, rubbish bags and carry bags, meat and produce trays. These are products disposed of everyday in every place in the world and they either end up in a landfill (great !!) or out at sea. Yet there are materials that can replace these disposables at no more cost and more importantly, no impact on the environment.
Here's another site with a movie about the North Pacific Gyre.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/16/vbs.toxic.garbage.island/
A collection of sorted rubbish from the North Pacific Gyre
Arnie and Maria aren't happy about this
