plastic – Australian Science

Plastic’s Reach

Kelly Burnes — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:08:53 +0000

Ocean Cleanup Array by Boyan Slat via inhabitat.com

Plastic. Seems it has extended its reach into the farthest corners of the universe. An earliest post described how plastic has changed our lives, for better…and for worse. ADD link to earlier post. That post largely reflected on the growing problem of plastic in the oceans and the effect on plant and animal life. Now, it seems that plastic threatens our freshwater lakes now too. LINK here.

But wait. It doesn’t stop there. Plastic particles have been found on Saturn’s moon, Titan. The Cassini Probe has detected propene, or propylene on Titan.

It is the first definitive detection of the plastic ingredient on any moon or planet, other than our home world, says the US space agency (Nasa).

What does this mean for the oceans, lakes and rivers? What does it mean for outer space?

With the vast engineering knowledge present around the globe, you’d think we could solve this problem. And we can. We have ambitious engineers. It will take some financing from some courageous and gusty entrepreneurial types. Those aren’t hard to find. It will take people who have an undying passion for the environment and the drive to protect it. We have those. So why can’t we get started on this problem? Any company wanting good PR, this would be an easy ticket to kudos and celebratory high fives.

So realistically, what can be done?

Here’s something that could be a real contender, a real solution to the problem.

Check out Boyan Slat’s idea on this TEDxDelft video. He was just 18 years old at the time. He’s since gone on to found his own non-profit organization, The Ocean Cleanup Foundation. His idea is an ocean cleanup array that could remove 7,250,000 tons of plastic from the world’s oceans.

Sounds easy, right? Not only that, it also sounds possible.

Plastic in the oceans, lakes and rivers on this planet is a problem that must be solved. It must be solved now. And then the problem of plastic from satellites or space junk will then need to solved. Of course, managing plastic, and preventing plastic from escaping into natural environments, is the first step.

There’s always work to do. Ending plastic’s reach could very well be within reach.

Cite this article:
Burnes K (2013-10-31 00:08:53). Plastic's Reach. Australian Science. Retrieved: May 04, 2024, from http://australianscience.com.au/news/plastics-reach/

test

The post Plastic’s Reach appeared first on Australian Science.

World Oceans Day – 7 June 2013, Live Event

Kelly Burnes — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:28:05 +0000

The Great Barrier Reef, © Gary Bell/Oceanwidelmages.com, via Australian Conservation Foundation website

Good morning Australians and to the rest of the world! Today is World Oceans Day and to celebrate this important day, a special, world first, 12-hour event will broadcast live from the Great Barrier Reef! Richard Fitzpatrick, a marine biologist and Emmy award-winning underwater cinematographer, along with other marine experts and reef ambassadors will take you on a journey as they showcase the diverse beauty and awe that is the Great Barrier Reef. The event starts 7 June 10:00 AM (AEST). The countdown is on and you can watch here at Queensland’s YouTube Channel!

You’ll see live underwater broadcasts that include sharks, whales, manta rays and turtles. 30-minute panel sessions will take not only underwater at the reef, but from Lady Elliot Island and Reef HQ Aquarium. The panel discussion will feature both local and international marine biologists and experts who will highlight why protecting our oceans is so important.

And why is it so important? Well, Australians, if you haven’t seen the news from yesterday, listen up.

A new CSIRO study, reported by the Herald Sun, finds the ocean is littered with rubbish, 74 per cent of it is plastic and it is impacting sea creatures, including turtles, sea birds and whales. There are 5.2 pieces of debris for every person in Australia and 3.2 pieces of rubbish for every metre of beach. The waste is not coming from other countries, it is coming from cities and other major areas in Australia. And while Australia does have great waste management practices, It’s important to note that more must be done to keep the beaches and waters pristine. Take action on this World Oceans Day. Find a beach clean up, join a surf life saving club, volunteer at a conservation park – do something to help protect the ocean which is vital both to our global economies and societies.

Cite this article:
Burnes K (2013-06-07 00:28:05). World Oceans Day - 7 June 2013, Live Event. Australian Science. Retrieved: May 04, 2024, from http://australianscience.com.au/news/world-oceans-day-7-june-2013-live-event/

test

The post World Oceans Day – 7 June 2013, Live Event appeared first on Australian Science.

Plastics Make it… Problematic

Kelly Burnes — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:13:21 +0000

The American Chemistry Council sponsors an initiative “Plastics Make it Possible. test

test

The post Plastics Make it… Problematic appeared first on Australian Science.

Applying MacGyver Principles to Recycling Policy

Kelly Burnes — Tue, 08 May 2012 06:55:13 +0000

23 cm of string. 1 tyre iron. 3 broken shards of glass. 18 rolls of fiber insulation. 1 match. 2 cardboard boxes. 4 paperclips. Because you always need a paperclip.

There was a fantastic TV show that aired in the United States when my brother and I were growing up in the late 1980s…MacGyver. No doubt many of you are aware of it as well as it aired across the globe – Australia, Europe, Taiwan, etc. It was my brother’s favourite show and I think it actually played quite a role in his ability to fix anything. Anything. If my computer breaks down I call him first.

The articles mentioned above, the tire iron, broken glass and paperclips, cardboard boxes, may all sound like rubbish cast aside, items you’d find lying in the gutter on the streets of Manhattan or in a landfill. Should we simply leave these items lie there? Or, should we try to reclaim them? Putting them to some use to help us find a way out of our trash/recycling problem? How do we get to sustainability? Is it a farce? Does sustainability actually exist?

We just had Earth Day. And remember World Water Day was not that long ago. Has the world changed? How many people drastically altered their consumption habits because of some message they read or heard on either of those days? Or were the same cheerleaders leading the chant for the home team that never quite seems to be able to score?

How many people work in offices in the US – around the world? Let me tell you a story about my office. We have black colored trash bins for trash and blue colored bins for recyclables – paper, plastic, aluminum. I dutifully sort the refuse of my consumption day in and day out, as I do at home. Even though I know for a fact that the janitor combines both bins into his large trash can as he makes his way through the offices and workstations collecting those daily discarded items. On Earth Day, all the employees in my 36-story office building received a paper postcard informing us of how we could “redeem

test

The post Applying MacGyver Principles to Recycling Policy appeared first on Australian Science.