I just listened to Boyan Slat’s Ted talks and interview on the Joe Rogan Podcast which he recorded on the 16th of April, 2018. What an amazing contribution to the overwhelming issue of ocean plastic pollution.
The problem of ocean plastic pollution is catastrophic. The worrying part is we can’t see it on a daily basis, so it tends to get ignored. Furthermore, as the ocean is not technically owned by any country, most governments ignore the issue as they have other issues needing funding and attention. However, as Boyan explains in the podcast and Ted talk, the problem will not disappear. He uses a great analogy, turning off the tap may somewhat help the environment, however, banning plastic waste into the ocean will not clear up the damage that has already been done.
He breaks it down into 3 main categories.
Enviromental impact: Plastic pollution in the world's oceans is one of the biggest environmental issues of our time, impacting more than 600 marine species
Health impact: Plastic pollution carries toxic pollutants into the food chain. Meaning it damages us and the animals the marine life!
Economic impact: estimated to have a yearly financial damage of 13 billion dollars stemming from the plastic’s impact on marine life, tourism, fisheries and businesses.
The most significant plastic pollution issue is the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’. A spot in the ocean where the currents align enabling plastic to collect in massive amounts. The ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ is the biggest of 5 collection points in the ocean.
The Ocean Clean Up, founded by Boyan Slat’s is the first and only project to show the ways in which the ocean can clean itself. The suggest that Cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch using conventional methods - vessels and nets - would take thousands of years and tens of billions of dollars to complete. The Ocean Cleanup is developing a passive system, moving with the currents - just like the plastic - to catch it. It is said that it could remove half the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 5 years.
The best part, no animals will be harmed in the collection process.
Boyan on the Joe Rogan Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J145vnEZX6w
Boyan’s Ted Talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROW9F-c0kIQ&vl=en
The ocean clean up project:
https://www.theoceancleanup.com/
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