The Reality of Recycling Plastic
Industry makes 380 million tons of plastic every year and none of it is truly recyclable.
Greenpeace has just released a report in October calling out the plastic industry for greenwashing the status of plastic recycling by continuing to employ the familiar “chasing arrows” recycling symbol on their products, when the truth is that recycling plastic has been a near-complete failure…
Playing sea soundscapes can summon thousands of baby oysters, and help regrow oyster reefs – PHYS.ORG
(H)ealthy reefs are surprisingly noisy…a cacophony of sound: crackles and pops from fish as they feed …If this soundscape is present, it tells oyster larvae it’s a healthy habitat… a useful cue if you’re a baby oyster looking for a rock to settle on and begin growing your shell…
‘Plastics Detective’ Imogen Napper traces pollution to the source – National Geographic
As a marine scientist and researcher and National Geographic Explorer, Imogen Napper thinks a lot about plastic….(She) has spent years sweeping the world for traces of plastic where it doesn’t belong, and finding creative solutions to the problem of plastic pollution…
Surfers, miners fight over South Africa’s white beaches – PHYS.ORG
Diamonds, zircon and other minerals have long been extracted in the sandy coastline near the Olifants river, which flows into the Atlantic about 300 kilometres (180 miles) north of Cape Town.
But plans to expand the mining have angered surfers, animal lovers and residents in this remote, sparsely populated region—and they are pushing back with lawsuits and petitions.
Mining the Mekong: Land and livelihoods lost to Cambodia’s thirst for sand – MONGABAY
“We would argue that sand mining is having as big, if not a bigger impact on the delta and Cambodian reaches. It’s been shown to be the biggest driver of saline intrusion in the delta, and resulting in enhanced bank erosion more so than hydropower,”
– Chris Hackney (University of Newcastle), Julian Leyland and Steve Darby (University of Southampton)
Beach “Sticky Zones” Act as Trash Magnets – Futurity
Citizen scientists recorded trash on Pacific Northwest beaches, from southern Oregon to Anacortes, Washington, to contribute to the growing study of marine trash.
Ocean Corps proposal hopes to give coast helping hand, provide jobs for young people – The Orange County Register
Creation of a California Ocean Corps won the support of the California State Legislature last week and is now making its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for a signature.
Humans Have Broken a Fundamental Law of the Ocean – WIRED
“The world that I grew up in is gone,” says Kristin Kaschner, a marine ecologist at the University of Freiburg in Germany.
Endangered sea turtles found on Louisiana islands for first time in 75 years – the Guardian
For the first time in 75 years, hatchlings of the world’s smallest sea turtle species have been discovered on the Chandeleur Islands, a chain of barrier