1 post tagged “great pacific garbage patch”
Late 2008 I caught a ship across the great pacific. See prior postings.I made some discoveries along the way ,that led me to formulating a new film project that is now in active development and late planning stages.It also led me to discovering the great work of Charles Moore and his research vessel ,and the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.
Yes folks,we humans are disgusting. All that plastic we use...ends up where? The Pacific.It floats around the Pacific like a washing machine.It comes not just from America - but from regions all over the planet. It breaks down and pollutes the sea.
Charles Moore was the first to discover it and its toxic effects when he took a detour ,thinking it may be quicker, on a boat race to Hawaii fomr California.What was he met with?
Not just ONE piece of garbage floating in the sea,but mile upon mile of plastic garbage.
It was enough for him to quit his day job ,as billionaire,and set up a specific research foundation to study and monitor the GYRE ,as it is called!
And folks, yess sirree ,I will be interviewing him ,as agreed, when we get this film funded this year so please stay tuned(and if you wish to invest please let us know by sending an email through this vox site). In the meantime...the Alguita Foundation needs your help. Charles Moore ,and his team which includes First Mate -Jeffery Ernst- are about to embark on the next journey to the Gyre and donations are needed.
Alguita
09 Pacific Exploration
The
Alguita was the first vessel to sample the surface waters of the area
that has now become known in the popular press as the great pacific
garbage patch.
The research team were the first to develop a standard methodology for this sort of sampling.. The end result of this effort is a set of data for summer, and winter surface plastic debris levels, and accompanying zooplankters (<300mm) in the north pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG).The levels of plastic can then be compared to the levels found ten years ago, and related to our model predictions, allowing for a determination of growth during that period
Very little, in regards to direct mitigation; can be done about small particle plastic pollution, and potential impacts of this mid-late 20th century phenomenon are wide ranging and poorly understood. The exclusive economic zone (EEZ), of the United States extends 200 miles in all directions from every US coastline including the NWHI. This line marks the distance in which US federal environmental management groups, are mandated to mitigate negative impacts to protected species and to the environmental wealth of the country. This means that the open ocean waters of the world are a difficult place to justify government spending on research or cleanup efforts.
Because
of this reason, direct sampling of the central ocean gyres of the world
has to come from nonprofit groups like Algalita Marine Research Foundation.
At least until the issue is present enough in the consciousness of the
general public to bring about change in what has become a true tragedy
of the commons for a global generaL.
IF YOU WISH TO HELP THE ALGALITA MARINE RESEARCH FOUNDATION BY WAY OF SPONSERSHIP OR DONATION,OF ANY AMOUNT, PLEASE GO TO THE FOLLOWING
http://www.algalita.org/support-us.html
(also please keep in mind that we are seeking sponership for our bridge building and pioneer "environmental " film as well that will include this story, so please contact www.carpediemfilm.com or this BUBBLEGUMPOP site about that)If you wish to sponsor me on board the vessels ,which is 10K, please contact me through this site att: Anna Wilding or attn: Anna Wilding at www.carpediemfilm.com .
If you require a more personal introduction to Algalita..please contact Anna Wilding at www.carpediemfilm.com (without the "s ").To donate to Algalita as below ,please visit www.algalita.org and the promtps under "2009 Pacific Exploration" DONATE http://www.algalita.org/support-us.html
Sponsorship opportunities for ALGALITA
$50,000 Vessel and voyage insurance, or sample and tissue analysis
$25,000 Research equipment and materials
$10,000 Fuel and vessel maintenance
$5,000Food for a crew of six for the 6-week voyage
$2,500Satellite phone for Ship to Shore education programs
$1,000Safety equipment, EPIRB, flares and strobe lights
$500 Medical supplies
$250 Ship incidentals
$100 Crew incidentals other
No donation is ever too small and all are sincerely appreciated
Thank you
