Sunday, October 28, 2007

Plastic Pollution in Pacific Waters

More Environmental Pollution Pictures here. In 1980, a study conducted at the University of Fairbanks Alaska on seabirds and plastic determined that 25% of seabirds contained plastic fragments or pellets in their digestive tracts. The origin of the plastic most likely came from the ocean surface of the Pacific Ocean abundant with plastic pollution. This plastic pollution problem has grown steadily over the years and is not only apparent in Alaska, Hawaii, and also in a large portion of the Pacific Ocean now termed as a Plastic Vortex. The plastic back in 1980 was mostly of polyethylene which primarily comes from plastic bags and plastic bottles. The plastic is carried around the ocean via wind and ocean currents. If these pictures speak anything of meaning to you, I hope the message is clear. Do your part and pick up a piece of liter if you see some. Also, a great way to help out is by participating in local stream and river cleanups in your area.

This message is also being made to say that seabirds are not the only species affected here. Numerous species are affected, and something needs to be done to clean up the plastic vortex.

At least 267 species, including whales, fish, turtles, seals, sea lions and seabirds have ingested or become entangled in the debris, which has collected in an area between Hawaii and the west coast of the US. The plastic vortex is literally the size of Texas. Greenpeace also states that about 80% of the plastic comes from land and the other 20% from ships at sea.

The sad truth is that unless something is done to clean up this mess, many more marine life species will continue to die or face unnecessary trauma. The human way of life has taken a toll on the earth. The carelessness that humans have lived by for thousands of years can no longer sustain on this planet without serious consequences. Thanks for your support on this issue.

Pictures By: http://www.fishing.hourston.co.uk

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10 COMMENTS, ADD YOURS HERE:

jayne.nicholl said...

Turtles often mistake floating plastic bags as their favourite food - jellyfish! So poor old turtle actively tries to ingest this harful pollutant!
Jayne

http://www.preciousglobe.com

Anonymous said...

http://bajan.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/adrian-loveridge-takes-up-the-fight-against-royal-dutch-shell-plc-on-behalf-of-barbadian-farmers/

Oil pollution in Barbados

Anonymous said...

I wish that there was more we could do about this...Is there a way to get the plastic out of the ocean???

Anonymous said...

We should begin locally. Are their any organisations who set up 'beach combing' sessions to clear plastic. I would love to take part.

Antonietta said...

About “WASTE MANAGEMENT”….

I ask you to forward the following and very important message:

” Please forward this message

Please read and sign the petition against the “european” proposal to reclassify incineration as waste recovery. This will put burning of waste on the same level as recycling.

The petition link is:

http://www.petitiononline.com/noburn08/petition.html

I thank you all for your kind attention and help!”

Bye,
Antonietta

eelttam said...

The garbage patch in the Pacific is an issue that we need to set as a high priority before it is too late. I watched this video and learned a lot about this growing problem.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fUMPz_v9z00


It's sad to learn that in parts of the Pacific Ocean there is more plastic particles in the water than plankton.


"bag the bag, seriously"

claudio said...

please visit us......

www.greeen.cl

Sage Green said...

Decades went by when only a handful of people cared or understood about the crisis of plastic building up in the oceans. Now that the message is out there the change is happening, albeit too slow for most.But by living by example we can expose the mindful social responsibility - it takes one person to change thousands. In 2006 I started a campaign to rid one use plastic bags from our environment. Our business is growing by the day as more and more businesses understand the importance of educating the population. We are all in this together.

Fred Smilek said...

That turtle is heartbreaking

Anonymous said...

& what about plastic bottle pollution??


1. it takes more than 400 years for a plastic bottle to decompose
2. plastic bottles contain dangerous chemicals hazardous to our health
3. How Plastic is poisoning our oceans - http://www.physorg.com/news169927772.html


The best thing is to get this issue into awareness & try to get as many people as possible active.
Each and every one counts!
This may be a partial solution to the problem: http://www.worldwithoutbottles.com/
Furthermore, we should put more efforts into recycling in a global view of things.


A person who cares A LOT.