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What is The Ocean Clean up?
Did you know that every year, tons of plastic make their way into the oceans? A lot of it comes from rivers, and some of it ends up in ocean garbage patches due to vortexes or circulating currents. If we don't take action, this plastic could have a huge impact on our ecosystems, health, and economies.
Have you ever stopped to wonder what happens to our trash and who has the job of sorting through it all and throwing it into the recycling? Or have you ever gone to a beach and just been surrounded by garbage? We're facing some serious consequences if we don't take care of our oceans. Ocean plastics contain something called Persistent Bio-accumulative Toxic chemicals (PBTs). "Bio-accumulative" means these pollutants can build up in the body of living things until it's harmful for them and even whole food webs. Ocean plastics come in all shapes and sizes, so even the smallest plankton and the biggest whales can swallow them.
THE SYSTEM AT SEA
MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The main reason we clean up plastic is to reduce its environmental impact and protect the ocean. However, it's important to be aware of any risks associated with the operation. After our initial mission with Systems 001 and 001/B, we didn't find any significant disruption to the marine life or ecosystem. When creating System 002, we sought feedback from both within and outside the organization to ensure we minimized any potential negative consequences. Additionally, we commissioned an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from CSA Ocean Sciences to make sure our operations wouldn't cause any significant harm to the environment, so long as we remain vigilant in our monitoring.
You can find out more by heading to The Ocean Cleanup website
The pollution of plastic in the world's oceans is a major environmental issue, with nearly 700 marine species affected by its presence. Additionally, its toxic pollutants can enter the food chain, thereby impacting human health. According to a study, the yearly economic costs resulting from marine plastic pollution are estimated to range from $6-$19bn USD, primarily due to the detriment it causes to tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, and governmental clean-up efforts. Every time you purchase an item, you are helping to support these efforts to protect the environment, economy and our health.