Mother Nature's Toilets

Across the planet there are numerous gyres (any large system of rotating ocean currents, particularly those involved with large wind movements). There are five most notable gyres that are across the globe; two in the Pacific Ocean, two in the Atlantic Ocean, and one in the Indian Ocean. These are basically large, slow moving whirpools. They accumulate debris and flotsam carried along ocean currents.

Of the most notable gyres, The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, contains something referred to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The existence was initially predicted in 1988, based on data obtained by several Alaska-based researchers that measured neustonic plastic in the North Pacific Ocean. They found high concentrations of marine debris accumulating in regions governed by particular patterns of ocean currents (ie Gyre).

It wasn't until 1997 when The GPGP was officially discovered. It was a man, Charles J. Moore, who was returning through the Pacific Ocean after completing a Transpac sailing race. There he came across a vast view of the sight of plastic, floating upon the ocean's surface. “I was confronted, as far as the eye could see, with the sight of plastic. It seemed unbelievable, but I never found a clear spot. In the week it took to cross the subtropical high, no matter what time of day I looked, plastic debris was floating everywhere: bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, fragments.” ; as quoted from an essay he wrote for Natural History.

This area is frequently featured in media reports as an exceptional example of marine pollution. It is places like here where the true nature of the waste produced by humans is viewed in full light. An estimated 80% of the garbage comes from land-based sources, and 20% from ships. A typical 3,000 passenger cruise ship produces over eight tons of solid waste weekly. We can not let our waste continue to flow into our water supply, the lifeblood of our planet. Our planet is slowly choking on it. An article done by Thomas M. Kostigen for the Discover Magazine discusses this important issue further. http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jul/10-the-worlds-largest-dump

Another example of the results of our wasteful nature, is The Midway Atoll, a place that receives a substantial amount waste from the The GPGP. This is turn has a drastic effect on the Albatross population that feeds and nests there. A great many of the albatross fledglings die every year of starvation, of choking or puncture by sharp shards. A team, called their trip The Midway Journey, and document their trip to Midway Island in an attempt to show the world the results of our produced waste. They are making efforts to show the world, through artistic video.

We all must be aware of the waste that we produce individually. We must take into the account of the millions of others that waste, the companies that manufacture waste, and must take thought as to where it all will end up.

Me must take our part to minimize the waste in our own lives. Recycle, Return, Reuse are still words to live by, and should always be. Take thought into the products that buy and choose the ones that are less wasteful, and choose products that can be recycled. Every little action we can make in this regard will have noticeable results in our future.

Thank you for helping to save our planet.