World Oceans Day Statement on Plastic Pollution

Following a presentation to Google employees by Captain Charles Moore, an oceanographer who pioneered the study of plastic debris, the Strategic Council on Plastic Pollution convened at the Google Campus in Mountain View, California on June 4, 2009. It was the first meeting for the council on plastic pollution, which was recently formed to raise awareness of this rising threat to the world's oceans. Said council member and marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, We are finding plastic in the stomachs of sea turtles, birds, and fish all over the world. I find this extremely disturbing." In honor of World Oceans Day, the council has issued the following statement regarding this increasingly urgent threat to wildlife and human health:

Do you know where our plastic goes?

Did you know that our oceans are filling up with plastic pollution?

Plastic fragments contaminate even the most remote locations on earth, and harmful chemicals leached by plastics are present in the bloodstream and tissues of almost every one of us.

Plastic pollution harms people, animals, and the environment. Plastic is not biodegradable. In the marine environment, plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller particles that absorb toxic chemicals, are ingested by wildlife, and enter the food chain that we depend on.

Consumption of throwaway plastics, such as bottles, containers, bags, and packaging, has spiraled out of control.

Recycling is not a sustainable solution. The reality is that most of our plastic waste is landfilled, downcycled or exported to other countries. And tragically, millions of tons of plastic are poisoning our oceans.

Businesses and governments need to take responsibility for new ways to design, recover and dispose of plastics.

Plastic pollution is the visible symbol of our global crisis of over-consumption. Let's pledge to shift our societies away from the disposable habits that poison our oceans and land, eliminate our consumption of throwaway plastics, and begin embracing a culture of sustainability.

Our health, our children, and the survival of future generations depend on us.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• plastic pollution
• world oceans day
• plastic
• plastics
• poisoning
• debris
• ocean
• sea turtle
• pacific
• garbage
• patch
• fish

[VideoGameCoupons]

those kids are so ADORABLE! aw...

[2hands30minsproj]

Time for industry to take responsibility & design litter free products & packaging. Recovery of used products & packaging MUST be included in distribution systems.

Decades of ineffectual anti litter education and recycling programs show this plastic pollution issue will not be solved as long as companies can sell disposable items without adequate recovery systems.

Bring in a refund system for ALL disposable plastics and packaging, with a sufficient refund we could have 98% recovery of plastic.

[StephanieLisaTara]

HAIKU

I hatch! Crawl! And swim!

Oh how I love my sweet life,

Don't litter my home.

—A Green Sea Turtle

[iluvherbalife]

You know how NASA has money for the Moon? you know how the Millitary has money for weapons?, you know how scientists are paid to scratch their balls? Well Why and How the the fuck don't they have money to get rid of this Rubbish. Eliminate the pointless and spend it on the worthy, the governernt is full of mental wrecks who pay for our consequence. Like this to go to the Top, copy paste this everywhere and see the reactions.

[soulassssns]

We know this. now come up with a way to remove the waste that is in the ocean.

[ImageworksPrint]

You're right on the mark! (I love the hatchet in the background)

[nascardude152]

That guy looks like the dude who hit me with his car today, but what he's saying is right

[TheProjectKaisei]

Ocean Voyage Institute is making a HUGE effort to clean up this mess. They are currently raising funds to go the North Pacific Gyre this summer with a team of volunteers to collect the plastic and trash that has accumulated there, as well as researching environmentally friendly ways to dispose of it. Please help save our oceans and the wildlife that live there by googling “dream sail raffle” and visiting our website, as well as posting it on your pages!

[SharkGirl1220]

"Excellent" information Wallace, "Thank You"

[SharkGirl1220]

"Excellent" information Wallace, "Thank You"