Plastic Island the size of Texas

alexd · 08-04-2009, 05:09 PM

(not to scale)

Voyage to study plastic 'island'
By Judith Burns
Science and Environment Reporter

The second of two research ships bound for a huge "island" of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean leaves San Francisco today.

Ocean currents have pushed the refuse together in an area estimated to be larger than the State of Texas.

The expedition, named Project Kaisei, will study the impact of the waste on marine life.

Ultimately the organisers hope to clear the plastic and recycle it for use as fuel and new products.

Speaking from the quayside in San Francisco, waiting for the second ship to leave, Ryan Yerkey, the project's chief of operations, told BBC News: "Every piece of trash that is left on a beach or ends up in our rivers or estuaries and washes out to the sea is an addition to the problem, so we need people to be the solution."

"Twenty years from now we can't be harvesting the ocean for trash. We need to get it out but we need to also have people make those changes in their lives to stop the problem from growing and hopefully reverse the course."

Five-day journey

The two ships, Kaisei - which left today - and New Horizon from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography - which left on 2 August - will take five days to reach the debris.

They will return at the end of the month.

The vortex of currents which pushes the debris together is known as the North Pacific Gyre.

Ryan Yerkey has sailed across the Pacific twice and has watched the problem build up since the 1980s. He blames our increased use of disposable products.

He said: "You are talking about quite a bit of marine debris but it's not a solid mass. A lot of the items have broken down. Of course there are larger items out there. But the items, depending on the density and the state they're in, can be anything from the surface down to 20ft to 30ft (6m to 9m) deep."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...re/8184397.stm

Published: 2009/08/04 17:22:48 GMT

© BBC MMIX

Sal De Ban · 08-04-2009, 05:11 PM

in before godzilla/mothra ultimate frisbee tournament

thom100 · 08-04-2009, 05:12 PM

worth the watch http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-...-island-1-of-3

acheron · 08-04-2009, 05:28 PM

I have yet to see decent photos of this. I don't doubt it exists I just want to see photos!

glych t.anomaly · 08-04-2009, 05:30 PM

the video Thom linked is pretty good, and has some great footage of the water they pull out of the ocean at that spot on the outskirts and its FILTHY.....

shudder.

[jai]

thom100 · 08-04-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acheron

I have yet to see decent photos of this. I don't doubt it exists I just want to see photos!

yeah watch the video, it shows you why you can't take an effective photo of the "island".

Preroller · 08-04-2009, 08:26 PM

we're fucked! I like how some places are now charging for bags...I Always refuse or bring my own.

workdowntown · 08-04-2009, 08:51 PM

Canadian teen may have found a possible solution
plastic decomposing bacteria

ndrwrld · 08-04-2009, 09:46 PM

liked that video.
we're fucked.

Maui · 08-05-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thom100

yeah watch the video, it shows you why you can't take an effective photo of the "island".

Because essentially there is no "island"... Why it's repeatedly been described like this I'm unsure other than to garner hype.

I don't know, it really doesn't seem that bad to me. I just mean when you consider the size of the ocean and the population surrounding it, things could be worse.
Besides, I'd be more worried about "actual" toxic waste that is dumped illegally in the ocean. Stuff that would cause cancer immediately if you came close to it. Not plastics that fish eat, then you eat all your life and maybe get cancer....

jocelyn dee · 08-05-2009, 10:43 AM

I read about this last year. It's frightening...

http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jul...-largest-dump/

Rajio · 08-05-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui

I don't know, it really doesn't seem that bad to me. [because] things could be worse.

glych t.anomaly · 08-05-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui

Because essentially there is no "island"... Why it's repeatedly been described like this I'm unsure other than to garner hype.

I don't know, it really doesn't seem that bad to me. I just mean when you consider the size of the ocean and the population surrounding it, things could be worse.
Besides, I'd be more worried about "actual" toxic waste that is dumped illegally in the ocean. Stuff that would cause cancer immediately if you came close to it. Not plastics that fish eat, then you eat all your life and maybe get cancer....

if you watched the video, you would have seen one of the direct chemicals in the plastics is attributed to miscarriges for women, just by having drank the MICROSCOPIC amounts, over indeterminate periods of time.

let alone the fact that because its not a stationary land mass, doesnt take away from the MASSIVE ecological effect this will have on the ocean.
if the oceanic life dies, the ocean will become ALOT worse, and then humans will be more fucked.

toxic waste is bad, and it shouldnt be dumped, but this is a area the size of fucking texas and in places up to 20 ft deep.

the actual ramifications this will have are not known to us.

but the concept is correct.

people have to be aware, they have to take conscious steps to avoid buying as much stuff in plastics, using plastic bags, and hopefully we will find a solution to this.

but to say it doesnt seem really that bad is really naive, and probably what alot of the contributers to this problem think like.

[jai]

Thunder · 08-05-2009, 12:49 PM

Some decent video but the comments section is right, hipster sailers, yikes.

ndrwrld · 08-05-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui

Because essentially there is no "island"... Why it's repeatedly been described like this I'm unsure other than to garner hype.

I don't know, it really doesn't seem that bad to me. I just mean when you consider the size of the ocean and the population surrounding it, things could be worse.
Besides, I'd be more worried about "actual" toxic waste that is dumped illegally in the ocean. Stuff that would cause cancer immediately if you came close to it. Not plastics that fish eat, then you eat all your life and maybe get cancer....

really dumb !

Maui · 08-05-2009, 05:09 PM

No you prolly just don't understand what I'm saying there and taking it out of context as is so often done it's disheartening to read message boards... So maybe your dumber?

Rajio · 08-05-2009, 05:10 PM

no I think we all get what you're saying.

Maui · 08-05-2009, 05:16 PM

Please do explain then smartass. Or are you just gonna roll your eyes some more. lol

Dirty Girl · 08-05-2009, 06:03 PM

this video is long. when are they gonna get to the stupid island already?

I just dont understand the world, we know all these are bad, we know they are killing the environment, we know they are killing us, why are we still making them. I just dont get it

Maui · 08-05-2009, 06:08 PM

There is no Island Dirty Girl. There are pieces of garbage floating here and there in the water over an area that is roughly the size of Texas. Some of them are on the surface and some are up to 20 feet down so you won't see them.

Dirty Girl · 08-05-2009, 06:41 PM

oh i thought there was like a big pile all kinda pushed together.
what a jip.

OTIS · 08-05-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui

Why it's repeatedly been described like this I'm unsure other than to garner hype.

Perhaps the simple mindedness that lead to a current catch basin of plastic in the ocean is the same being appealed to in the messaging.

Dirty Girl · 08-05-2009, 08:28 PM

oh yeah well i found the real plastic island
]

http://www.geocities.com/spiral_island/

Maui · 08-05-2009, 08:28 PM

Maybe but it's that kind of thing that will backfire if people feel they are being lied to.
Tabloid headlines I don't think are the best way to go about garnering support for your cause.

OTIS · 08-05-2009, 09:48 PM

As is demonstrated in the other garbage thread, when given the opportunity, the average individual will default to stupidity and selfishness. So who really gives a fuck what people think with the depiction of a cause with a seriousness that's self-evident.

The bottom line is if the 'people' you speak of are the kind of lummoxes that will revolt on the issue based on some superficial factor, perhaps they shouldn't be included in the discussion for solutions.

Besides, emphasis on individual action is somewhat a deflection away from the responsibility of those with the capacity, power and position to create actual change anyway.

08-04-2009, 05:09 PM	#1
alexd TRIBE editor Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: tousle me softly Posts: 27,789	Plastic Island the size of Texas (not to scale) Voyage to study plastic 'island' By Judith Burns Science and Environment Reporter The second of two research ships bound for a huge "island" of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean leaves San Francisco today. Ocean currents have pushed the refuse together in an area estimated to be larger than the State of Texas. The expedition, named Project Kaisei, will study the impact of the waste on marine life. Ultimately the organisers hope to clear the plastic and recycle it for use as fuel and new products. Speaking from the quayside in San Francisco, waiting for the second ship to leave, Ryan Yerkey, the project's chief of operations, told BBC News: "Every piece of trash that is left on a beach or ends up in our rivers or estuaries and washes out to the sea is an addition to the problem, so we need people to be the solution." "Twenty years from now we can't be harvesting the ocean for trash. We need to get it out but we need to also have people make those changes in their lives to stop the problem from growing and hopefully reverse the course." Five-day journey The two ships, Kaisei - which left today - and New Horizon from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography - which left on 2 August - will take five days to reach the debris. They will return at the end of the month. The vortex of currents which pushes the debris together is known as the North Pacific Gyre. Ryan Yerkey has sailed across the Pacific twice and has watched the problem build up since the 1980s. He blames our increased use of disposable products. He said: "You are talking about quite a bit of marine debris but it's not a solid mass. A lot of the items have broken down. Of course there are larger items out there. But the items, depending on the density and the state they're in, can be anything from the surface down to 20ft to 30ft (6m to 9m) deep." Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...re/8184397.stm Published: 2009/08/04 17:22:48 GMT © BBC MMIX __________________ alexd > Editor/Admin > TRIBE® TRIBE® on Facebook: facebook.com/tribe TRIBE® on Twitter: @tribemagazine

08-05-2009, 06:41 PM	#21
Dirty Girl Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Gym Tanning Laundry, Snookin for love Posts: 33,880	oh i thought there was like a big pile all kinda pushed together. what a jip. Last edited by Dirty Girl; 08-05-2009 at 06:43 PM.

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08-04-2009, 05:11 PM	#2
Sal De Ban Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Waldorf Bergman's lingerie section Posts: 5,834	in before godzilla/mothra ultimate frisbee tournament

08-04-2009, 05:12 PM	#3
thom100 Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: chasin' rabbits Posts: 7,662	worth the watch http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-...-island-1-of-3

08-04-2009, 05:28 PM	#4
acheron Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Aisle 7 Posts: 18,116	I have yet to see decent photos of this. I don't doubt it exists I just want to see photos!

08-04-2009, 05:30 PM	#5
glych t.anomaly Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Being right too soon is socially unacceptable. Posts: 14,591	the video Thom linked is pretty good, and has some great footage of the water they pull out of the ocean at that spot on the outskirts and its FILTHY..... shudder. [jai]

08-04-2009, 08:26 PM	#7
Preroller Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: watching out for Hop-Ons Posts: 6,966	we're fucked! I like how some places are now charging for bags...I Always refuse or bring my own.

08-04-2009, 08:51 PM	#8
workdowntown Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: trolling hard on the interwebs Posts: 4,871	Canadian teen may have found a possible solution plastic decomposing bacteria

08-04-2009, 09:46 PM	#9
ndrwrld Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: inside each of your minds Posts: 12,818	liked that video. we're fucked.

08-05-2009, 10:43 AM	#11
jocelyn dee Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 671	I read about this last year. It's frightening... http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jul...-largest-dump/

08-05-2009, 12:49 PM	#14
Thunder Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tee-dizzer Posts: 2,253	Some decent video but the comments section is right, hipster sailers, yikes.

08-05-2009, 05:09 PM	#16
Maui Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,629	No you prolly just don't understand what I'm saying there and taking it out of context as is so often done it's disheartening to read message boards... So maybe your dumber?

08-05-2009, 05:10 PM	#17
Rajio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: From inside the house! Posts: 13,080	no I think we all get what you're saying.

08-05-2009, 05:16 PM	#18
Maui Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,629	Please do explain then smartass. Or are you just gonna roll your eyes some more. lol

08-05-2009, 06:03 PM	#19
Dirty Girl Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Gym Tanning Laundry, Snookin for love Posts: 33,880	this video is long. when are they gonna get to the stupid island already? I just dont understand the world, we know all these are bad, we know they are killing the environment, we know they are killing us, why are we still making them. I just dont get it

08-05-2009, 06:08 PM	#20
Maui Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,629	There is no Island Dirty Girl. There are pieces of garbage floating here and there in the water over an area that is roughly the size of Texas. Some of them are on the surface and some are up to 20 feet down so you won't see them.

08-05-2009, 08:28 PM	#23
Dirty Girl Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Gym Tanning Laundry, Snookin for love Posts: 33,880	oh yeah well i found the real plastic island ] http://www.geocities.com/spiral_island/

08-05-2009, 09:48 PM	#25
OTIS Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: WHERE MY IHOP Posts: 33,036	As is demonstrated in the other garbage thread, when given the opportunity, the average individual will default to stupidity and selfishness. So who really gives a fuck what people think with the depiction of a cause with a seriousness that's self-evident. The bottom line is if the 'people' you speak of are the kind of lummoxes that will revolt on the issue based on some superficial factor, perhaps they shouldn't be included in the discussion for solutions. Besides, emphasis on individual action is somewhat a deflection away from the responsibility of those with the capacity, power and position to create actual change anyway.