Why this is important
The ocean is the engine of all life on this planet — and it is under threat. A big part of the problem: pollution.
So how does trash get into the ocean? It’s dumped, pumped, spilled, leaked and even washed out with our laundry. Each year, we expose the world’s waterways to an increasing variety of pollutants — plastic debris, chemical runoff, crude oil and more. Fortunately, it’s not too late to clean up our act. Share the dirty truth about ocean pollution and help make a difference.
So how does trash get into the ocean? It’s dumped, pumped, spilled, leaked and even washed out with our laundry. Each year, we expose the world’s waterways to an increasing variety of pollutants — plastic debris, chemical runoff, crude oil and more. Fortunately, it’s not too late to clean up our act. Share the dirty truth about ocean pollution and help make a difference.
Green Room Janitors made this record to support the SURFRIDER FOUNDATION and our oceans.
WHAT: A grassroots non-profit organization working to protect and preserve the world's oceans by focusing on water quality, coastal ecosystems, beach access, beach and surf spot preservation.
WHERE: Mainly North America, as well as parts of South America, Europe and Japan.
HOW: Through a powerful activist network, people can connect and participate in coastal conservation efforts. The Surfrider Foundation has a strong social media presence to engage activists and encourage them to take part in activities such as beach cleanups or to sign digital petitions.
WHAT: A grassroots non-profit organization working to protect and preserve the world's oceans by focusing on water quality, coastal ecosystems, beach access, beach and surf spot preservation.
WHERE: Mainly North America, as well as parts of South America, Europe and Japan.
HOW: Through a powerful activist network, people can connect and participate in coastal conservation efforts. The Surfrider Foundation has a strong social media presence to engage activists and encourage them to take part in activities such as beach cleanups or to sign digital petitions.
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More plastic than fish.
Eight million metric tons: That’s how much plastic we dump into the oceans each year. That’s about 17.6 billion pounds — or the equivalent of nearly 57,000 blue whales — every single year. By 2050, ocean plastic will outweigh all of the ocean’s fish. 5 garbage patches. There’s so much junk at sea, the debris has formed giant garbage patches. There are five of them around the world, and the largest — the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — includes an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of trash and covers an area twice the size of Texas. |
Plastic poses a double danger.
Ocean trash can be broken into smaller pieces — known as microplastic — by sun exposure and wave action, after which it can find its way into the food chain. When it eventually degrades (which takes 400 years for most plastic), the process releases chemicals that further contaminate the sea.
Pollution is in fashion (literally).
With each load of laundry, more than 700,000 synthetic microfibers are washed into our waterways. Unlike natural materials such as cotton or wool, these plasticized fibers do not break down. One study showed that synthetic microfibers make up as much as 85 percent of all beach trash.
The number of dead zones is growing.
In 2004, scientists counted 146 hypoxic zones (areas of such low oxygen concentration that animal life suffocates and dies) in the world’s oceans. By 2008, that number jumped to 405. In 2017, in the Gulf of Mexico, oceanographers detected a dead zone nearly the size of New Jersey — the largest dead zone ever measured.
The oceans are losing mussel mass.
One effect of greenhouse emissions is increased ocean acidification, which makes it more difficult for bivalves such as mussels, clams and oysters to form shells, decreasing their likelihood of survival, upsetting the food chain and impacting the multibillion-dollar shellfish industry.
* Source https://www.conservation.org/
Ocean trash can be broken into smaller pieces — known as microplastic — by sun exposure and wave action, after which it can find its way into the food chain. When it eventually degrades (which takes 400 years for most plastic), the process releases chemicals that further contaminate the sea.
Pollution is in fashion (literally).
With each load of laundry, more than 700,000 synthetic microfibers are washed into our waterways. Unlike natural materials such as cotton or wool, these plasticized fibers do not break down. One study showed that synthetic microfibers make up as much as 85 percent of all beach trash.
The number of dead zones is growing.
In 2004, scientists counted 146 hypoxic zones (areas of such low oxygen concentration that animal life suffocates and dies) in the world’s oceans. By 2008, that number jumped to 405. In 2017, in the Gulf of Mexico, oceanographers detected a dead zone nearly the size of New Jersey — the largest dead zone ever measured.
The oceans are losing mussel mass.
One effect of greenhouse emissions is increased ocean acidification, which makes it more difficult for bivalves such as mussels, clams and oysters to form shells, decreasing their likelihood of survival, upsetting the food chain and impacting the multibillion-dollar shellfish industry.
* Source https://www.conservation.org/
Other Ocean Saving Organizations Worth Supporting
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OCEANA
WHAT: The largest international ocean conservation organization that works to protect and restore the world’s oceans through targeted policy campaigns. WHERE: Based in Washington D.C with offices throughout the world. HOW: Oceana works to protect sea life affected by industrial fishing by using targeted policy campaigns focused on science combined with media, law and public pressure. The clearly defined campaigns, in such fields as responsible fishing and preventing ocean pollution, are designed to produce identifiable policy changes within a 3–5 year timeframe. |
TAKE 3
WHAT: An initiative to encourage people to leave the world’s beaches and oceans cleaner than when they found them. WHO: A group of beach lovers, environmentalists and surfers dedicated to keeping their favorite spots free of litter. WHERE: Based in Australia. HOW: The nonprofit's solution to transform littered beaches into pristine oases is to get beach goers to pick up three pieces of trash every time they leave the beach. |
5 GYRES
WHAT: A non-profit organization dedicated to understanding plastic marine pollution that works towards oceans free of plastic. WHERE: All over the world. HOW: Through exploration, scientific research, education, and action the 5 Gyres Institute engages communities in systemic change and encourages corporate partners, policymakers, and the general public to reduce plastic pollution. |
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More videos on the challenge we face
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John Oliver explains how plastics are harming the planet
WARNING Adult Language |
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