I just learned that searchers looking for Air France flight 447 off the coast of Brazil kept finding what they thought was debris from the plane but was instead plastic garbage. Read the CNN article.
The 24th International Coastal Cleanup is set for September 19, 2009. It’s sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. Sign up! It doesn’ t matter if you don’t live near an ocean. Here in Kansas I can go to Clinton Lake, about 5 miles away, and work on shoreline cleanup there so that trash doesn’t go out the spillway and into the Wakarusa River, and ultimately into the ocean.
From the Ocean Conservancy site:
How You Can Help
Marine debris doesn’t just fall from the sky, it falls from human hands. From urban trash to abandoned fishing gear, marine debris is one of the world’s most pervasive marine pollution problems. We can all make a difference.
- Volunteer for the International Coastal Cleanup every year on the third Saturday in September.
- Join Ocean Conservancy’s online community to learn more and stay up-to-date on ocean issues.
- Take your commitment year-round: don’t litter, and pick up litter you see. Keep the ocean clean, and save the life of a marine mammal or bird.
- Use reusable cloth bags for groceries and shopping instead of disposable plastic bags (including mesh bags for produce).
- Use reusable beverage containers.
- Bring reusable or biodegradable food packaging to work or on day trips rather than using styrofoam or plastic containers.
Hawaiian beach strewn with trash, Kamilo, HI. Photo courtesy of Ocean Conservancy.
Ack! What a graphic photo!