Watch the videos and post your comments on what you thought about it. What did you find most interesting about the videos? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxNqzAHGXvs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a4S23uXIcM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc6LvdsyJ4U&feature=related Do you think this is an actual problem that should be addressed? Then offer some sort of possible solution, or if you do not think there is one, explain.

The first video is based on experiments done by the Algalita research group on the North Pacific Gyre, to study the quantity of trash in this part of the ocean. Study results indicate that for every 6 pounds of plastic in the ocean, there is only 1 pound of plankton. This shows the high level of ocean pollution. Though not a part of the study, it is thought that most living things, particularly birds and fish, are affected by this pollution. Pictures are shown of a dead albatross whose stomach contents consist of plastic fragments such as bottle caps and electric wire plugs.
The second video is based on another expedition by the Algalita research group on the Pacific Ocean. It looks at the great garbage dump created by the Pacific currents that carry refuse from all over. According to Algalita’s founder, Captain Charles Moore, the ocean is a “plastic soup” as it has “more plastic than plankton.” The plastic originates from sea vessels or land—poorly disposed of plastics on land are blown by wind or washed by rain to the ocean. The effect of this pollution on sea life is great. However, the only feasible solution to the problem is to prevent the disposal of plastics into the sea.
The third video explains the “Pacific trash vortex.” Done by the Planet 100, it gives the following information:

The Pacific trash vortex is a huge trash site found in the Pacific Ocean, twice the size of Texas, and is the biggest landfill on the planet. 90% of this trash is plastic, 80% of which comes from the land with the other 20% from sea-faring vessels and offshore platforms. Humans, especially from the developed world are thought to be responsible for this trash due to their large consumption of plastics. Millions of birds and sea animals are killed annually by ingesting or getting tangled by plastics from the trash vortex. Humans can help to stop the trash vortex by reducing their use of plastics, reusing and recycling so as to cut down their plastic consumption rates by 50% or more.

I find it interesting that all 3 videos talk about the extent of plastic pollution in the ocean. It is shocking that such large quantities, up to 6 times plankton population, has accumulated in the Pacific and perhaps even other oceans. I think that this is a big problem that needs to be addressed as the lives of other sea animals are also affected. Humans also depend on sea life, so this plastic pollution finally gets back to them in one way or another, (e.g., through the ingestion of contaminated fish). Possible solutions to the problem include: reduction of plastic use by using reusable non-plastic bags made from clothes or wicker; buying boxes instead of plastic bottles of liquids; avoiding the use of straws; avoiding the use of chewing gum etc.
http://www.greeneducationfoundation.org/nationalgreenweeksub/waste-reduction-tips/tips-to-use-less-plastic.html