By Heather A. Wright, Scientist
The Global Plastic Problem – We’re global citizens of this planet. We and our stuff move around the planet and permeate the environment. Geologists term this epoch the “Anthropocene”. Our human footprint can be found in every terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem most obviously in the sedimentary record on beaches and in our aquatic systems. The resin (plastic) nurdles in my hand are the primary plastic used in manufacturing. Where did these originate from? How do we identify and remove these from our environment? I discovered some global remediation projects.
(We’re) In the Same Boat – https://www.inthesameboat.eco/om-oss/
After travelling to Norway, I was galvanized to research plastic clean-up projects. I spoke with Bo Eide Tromsø City Council’s Climate and Environmental Adviser and founder of Ren Kyst. This led me to In the same boat – an initiative to clean up Norwegian coastlines.
Rolf-Ørjan Høgset shared the mission and success of this group with me recently. Since 2017, their group has been conducting full time beach cleanups. The original project was conceived by people who love the sea to do something about plastic pollution. As a professional photographer and commercial consultant, Rolf realized the same products he was showcasing were ending up as litter in our oceans. This inspired him to create In the same boat to change the fate of ocean trash.
Workaway opportunities
In the Same Boat have partnered with the travel hosting program workaway.info to offer global work travel experiences. Using several sailboats, the only requisite to participate in this opportunity is a willingness to work on boats around remote islands. With the goal of cleaning and educating along the way, these clean up efforts are making a tremendous difference. The volunteer feedback is overwhelmingly positive. The directors of In the Same Boat have also trained a new generation of ocean ambassadors.
Ocean Ambassadors
There are plans to scale up these types of efforts in other countries. Agency partnerships are also needed. Scientists are developing ways to identify and track types of plastics in the environment. As an ocean ambassador, you can lead the way by organizing a local community beach cleanup. Agencies such as the Ocean Conservancy provide resources for an annual event and now have a phone app called Clean Swell to record trash you collect. Be a part of the growing effort and get involved!
About the Author: Heather A. Wright, Scientist
Heather Anne is a marine scientist studying marine phytoplankton. She completed her Master of Philosophy at the Stazione Zoologica in Naples, Italy looking at long term changes in plankton phenology. Her work aims to address microbial ecology, climate and biogeography using time series, advanced high throughput techniques and automated imaging of field samples.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media