www.GyreCleanup.org
Gyre Clean Up,Supporting Environmental Cleanup Coalition(ECC)!
An OverView- Off the coast of California and Japan, in the middle of the Pacific ocean, there is a problem called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an island of trash; estimated to be over two times the size of Texas, and in some spots 90 feet deep, of floating plastics and debris. Garbage collects in spots where currents collide and make swirling vortexes called Gyres. This kind of catastrophe happens when garbage floats with currents into these Gyres, and inevitably gets stuck in the swirling vortex.
Scientists have proven that plastic debris accumulating in the ocean is destroying life on the planet. Birds, turtles and fish as well as many other animals are dying from eating plastic directly. Worse yet for us though are the Toxins such as DDT (a chemical in bug spray), DDT, PBE, as well as more cancerous chemicals that are collecting in and around plastic particles and are making their way up the food chain, eventually seriously harming human health. Effects on human health are still being determined, however we know that these chemicals can cause problems such as an increased rate of autism in children, birth defects, cancer, lowered testosterone in men, as well as many more serious issues .
Currently the ECC is starting the largest marine pollution cleanup and ocean restoration project in history. You can learn more about this problem, as well as the Environmental Cleanup Coalitions plans to clean it up at www.gyrecleanup.org . If left unchecked this problem will progress and have ever more devastating effects on the world. I've worked with this organization personally, and can say they are very trustworthy and making a difference!
The ocean can only take so much. The ECC wants to build special tankers that will go out and scoop up trash from the ocean. Once they have the trash they plan to make the tankers into floating ocean conservation stations. There they will focus on recyling the trash and maintaining healthiness of the ocean, in all aspects, with the help of many highly qualified scientists from around the world!
very big Difference!!!
President of the ECC, spearheading gyre clean up, Richard Sundance Owen! Below is picture of Rich with first persistant organic pollutent collection pod!
Satalite pic, the yellow is trash in our ocean!
North Pacific Gyre?
What Is the North Pacific Gyre, AKA Great Pacific Garbage Patch?!
"The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also described as the Pacific Trash Vortex, is a gyre of marine litter in the central North Pacific Ocean located roughly between 135° to 155°W and 35° to 42°N and estimated to be twice the size of Texas.[1]
The patch is characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of suspended plastic, chemical sludge, and other debris that have been trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre. Despite its size and density, the patch is not visible from satellite photography because it consists of very small pieces, almost invisible to the naked eye [2] and most of its contents are suspended beneath the surface of the ocean.[3]" - Material in quotations from Wikipedia
What does that mean?!
That means that cancerous toxic chemicals are breaking down in our oceans every day, and working their way up the food chain!
"Some of these long-lasting plastics end up in the stomachs of marine birds and animals baby chicks,[20] including sea turtles, and the Black-footed Albatross.[21] Besides the particles' danger to wildlife, the floating debris can absorb organic pollutants from seawater, including PCBs, DDT, and PAHs.[22] Aside from toxic effects,[23] when ingested, some of these are mistaken by the endocrine system as estradiol, causing hormone disruption in the affected animal.[21] These toxin-containing plastic pieces are also eaten by jellyfish, which are then eaten by larger fish. Many of these fish are then consumed by humans, resulting in their ingestion of toxic chemicals.[24] Marine plastics also facilitate the spread of invasive species that attach to floating plastic in one region and drift long distances to colonize other ecosystems.[13]" - Material In quoations from Wikipedia
What's being done about it?
There are many things being done now, but not enough. This problem is serious and affecting Earth. The Environmental Cleanup Coalition is on a mission to fix this problem. Here is their mission statement " Our website aims to be the epicenter of a movement to effectively address the plastic challenge swirling in our oceans (starting with the North Pacific Gyre). We will do this by engaging our growing community of diverse and multi-talented individuals and groups who share a love for our planet and a concern for the health of our oceans.
Together we can focus on areas such as cleanup and restoration, education and awareness, and prevention. Although ECC’s biggest passion is the cleanup aspect, we believe it will require all perspectives to create the most viable and sustainable long-term solution.
We are seeking those that care about social responsibility and are inspired." - GyreCleanup.org
