An ocean cleanup device has been designed which uses the ocean currents, wind, and water to gather plastic from the sea, while allowing fish to pass through. It is to be used on a gigantic stretch of the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii, where vast amounts of plastic have accumulated. There are five such areas in the world, known as garbage patches. They claim that it will help to rid the ocean of more than 150 million tons of plastic that has found its way into it. If we do not take steps now to clean up our oceans, this number could triple in as little as a decade.
Plastic has been found in the stomachs of sea turtles and other marine life. It is responsible for unfathomable toxicity released into ocean waters, winding up in sea life, and eventually in us, when we eat the fish. While some naysayers believe it is a waste of money and that we should concentrate on reducing more plastic from ending up in the ocean; they ignore the fact that leaving it in its current state is allowing the suffering and death of many species to continue. It goes without saying that we must stop polluting and put an end to more plastic ending up in the oceans, but that is simply not good enough. We must CLEAN UP OUR MESSES!
A young Dutchman, Boyan Slat, came up with this innovative solution. He sees the big picture. The plastics that they are collecting are being recycled into usable items. It gives one hope that great strides are being made. Many people are now recognizing the problems that human beings have created, and that acknowledgement is the first step. We need to become more proactive in stopping the continued harm that we are doing. We must have mandatory recycling and stiff fines for littering – and not just in progressive communities, but worldwide. Kudos to Mr. Slat and his team, for this bold and promising undertaking! If you want to learn more about the project, visit their website: https://theoceancleanup.com. Then do your part to recycle plastic wherever you live.
