Global Problems & Local Actions May/June/July Newsletter

May/June/July Newsletter 2017

Plastic pollution is now the undisputed global anthropogenic problem. There is no denying that this is a man-made problem. Humans have successfully spread plastic products all over our planet, from the Arctic to Antarctica, on the sea surface to the bottom of our deepest trenches and to the remotest islands on the planet. The far reaching consequences are detrimental to marine life, habitats and our food chain.

Henderson Island is a 37 square kilometre blip in the ocean yet newly published research suggests it is the repository for 17.6 tonnes of washed up plastic, the highest density ever recorded - none of which was originally used on this island. All of this plastic originated somewhere else; the countries topping that list are Japan, China, Chile and Peru. Although the majority of the washed up plastic was made up of unidentifiable fragments and pellets, fishing-related items such as nets and floats were next on the list. 'Disposable' plastic items such as bottles, caps, lids, razors, cutlery, toothbrushes and scoops (from coffee and laundry detergent) were all a common sight in the sand.

So how do all these items end up in the middle of the ocean so far 'away' from where they are used? Who is responsible for all this plastic thrown 'away' each day? In short, we all are part of this problem and we all need to take responsibility and be part of the solutions. With World Oceans Day on June 8th now is the time to honour, protect and conserve our oceans. Here are three things you can you do today.

Eat less fish! If the fishing industry is responsible for much of the plastic debris polluting our seas (discarded fishing nets, buoys, floats, foam boxes, etc) then we need to stop supporting this industry.
Use less plastic! Make it your priority to reduce your plastic footprint. What 'disposable' items can you cut from your life today?
Write one letter! Use your voice and try to influence one company to reduce their 'disposable' plastic.

Complicated packaging makes recycling a costly and difficult process.

Display from the Yr 6 Exhibition at Peak School

Peak School Yr 6 Exhibition centred on UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development

Global Goal #14 - Life Under Water
More and more schools in Hong Kong and China are structuring their student learning opportunities around the UN's 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. PFS has been involved with hundreds of students as they 'Take Action' with their self-directed learning projects. The idea for the world's largest lesson is to achieve 3 extraordinary things by 2030: end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change. PFS has seen how capable and confident these students are with their projects and attainable goals and we know that each action undertaken makes a difference. Now more than ever we need educated people acknowledging and taking action on these global issues, especially on climate change. Every one of us is only a drop of water but together we make an ocean!

Do you have an event coming up that could benefit from having a water dispensing system? Please check out Urban Spring or Bottless

Sales from Plastic Free Seas merchandise financially supports the school education programs. Some stocks are limited. With water bottles, cutlery sets, Plastic Ocean books, PFS' iconic Smiley tees, there is something for everyone to use or receive as a gift.

Psssst! For a limited time the Smiley tees are on sale!

An uninhabited island in the South Pacific has 38 million pieces of plastic washed up. This is where 'Away' is!

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