Attack of the Plastic - The Garbage in our Oceans
When I think about all that is GREEN, and all that I DO NOT know, I feel overwhelmed. Where to start? Can one person really make a difference? I try to push away the thought, like pressing the Snooze Button for the 100th time. I figure I’ll figure it out some day soon. Maybe Steve Jobs will find a way to download it into my brain with the next round of iPod models.
Then I met Tom Jones.
Tom Jones proves that one person can make a difference. He is an extreme athlete who uses his extraordinary physical abilities to raise awareness about causes that he’s passionate about. In 2002, he ran 120 consecutive marathons to raise money for underprivileged children. That’s 26.2 miles 120 days in a row!
His latest calling: the plastic pollution in our oceans.
Tom is the first person to traverse the entire coast of California on a paddleboard. From August to November 2007, he paddled 1,250 miles on a 14-foot board. His goal: to attract attention to himself, and in turn, to his campaign for a plastic-free ocean. The result: people are listening. I know I am.
Tom first got the idea when he took up surfing for fun, and quickly noticed that he was swimming in plastic debris. “I found IV bags,” he said. “Five gallon buckets, bottles, plastic shopping bags, nets. Animals trapped in nets. I couldn’t believe how much junk was out there.” He then teamed up with the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (www.algalita.com) and its founder, Captain Charles Moore, the leading scientist on plastics in the waters. In 1997, Moore discovered a floating plastic mass the size of Texas during a yacht race to Hawaii.
To give you some perspective: Almost 90% of floating marine debris is plastic. A United Nations Environmental Report estimates that there is more than 5.76 million tons of plastic in our oceans, according to Tom’s web site (www.californiapaddle.com). That’s enough to put two-thirds of California in a plastic bag. At the rate we’re going, the entire State will be Saran-wrapped by 2014.
Fueled with this factual ammunition, Jones launched “California Paddle 2007.”
I had the opportunity to meet this 44-year-old Superman on his paddle through Malibu. Local organizations including Malibu Divers (www.malibudivers.com) and Surfrider (www.surfrider.com) gave him a hero’s welcome. Tom made his way ashore with a ruddy complexion and pulsating vigor, eager to share his little known facts.
“How is it out there?” I asked.
“Scary, in a word,” Tom replied. “It’s life-changing. I’m so struck and so humbled on such a regular basis that I’m a changed person.” He went on to describe the powerful force of Mother Nature, whose waves rise from 3 to 12 feet in 10 minutes flat. Paddling in 50-mile winds, Tom has more than once feared for his life.
Life and death; it’s par for the course. Tom quickly returned to the issue at hand-
PLASTICS.
“I’m primarily focusing on the idea that there’s six pounds of plastic for every one pound of plankton in the water,” he said, underlining plankton as the keystone of the marine food chain. “It’s an environmental catastrophe on many levels-not only for wildlife, but for the human species.”
Marine wildlife, including birds, dolphins and sea turtles, often mistake plastic debris for food. The deadly diets consist of bottle-caps, cigarette lighters, and candy wrappers, to name a few. Others suffer entanglement. As a result, more than a million seabirds and 100,000 mammals die each year.
Bottom line: Plastics do not biodegrade. They will never go away. Ever. Over time, in 400-plus years, plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually to a bead pellet. And there it will remain-as a plastic polymer. Forever.
“If you lose your sunglasses in the ocean by mistake,” Tom said, “they shouldn’t degrade into this little bead that never goes away.”
What’s worse: these beads attract toxic chemicals like DDT and PCBs, becoming in effect, poison pills. Once ingested, they then travel up the food chain, eventually reaching human beings-you and me.
I began thinking of all the plastic-things in my apartment: the Sparkletts dispenser holding “purified water,” my hairbrush, the fridge-safe food containers, the Ziploc bags, the remote control, the trashcan, and the list goes on. I suddenly felt defensive in my own home. The star victim in a bona fide horror flick: The Attack of the Plastics.
Several U.S. cities are beginning to investigate measures to combat the crisis-starting with the plastic bag. In 2007, San Francisco and Oakland both banned non-biodegradable plastic carryout bags. According to a recent report commissioned by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, these cities are lighting the way for similar efforts in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Baltimore-all situated on the coast. On the international front, the eco-frontrunners include Australia, Ireland and South Africa.
While awareness is gradually increasing on a global macro level, the surfers are already experiencing the tangible effects first-hand.
“We’re the canaries in the coal mine,” said Zoltan Torkus, a surfer turned bodyguard, shadowing Jones daily on a Jet Ski. Torkus described the impetigo breakouts on his face, caused by the water pollution surfing in the Santa Cruz Pier. “We’re gonna be the first to go.”
This sobering reality only fuels Tom’s fire to rally the troops-
“We have the power and the ability to make the change here. So that’s what I want to leave you with,” Tom said. “Let’s go touch 10 other people, who along with us, will take responsibility for this problem. And let’s save ourselves. That’s what it’s about.”
As I walked away, Tom’s parting message continued to echo in my mind.
A few days later, I purchased a book at Barnes & Noble. When the clerk at the register pulled out a plastic bag, I told her I didn’t need one. She mindlessly put it aside. But, what happened next was most interesting… The next person in line also refused the bag.
“I can’t seem to get rid of this bag!” the clerk exclaimed, incredulous.
I smiled. It’s contagious. There is something in the air.
That night, I went online and purchased reusable shopping bags from “1Bag At A Time” (www.1bagatatime.com). They are made from 100% polypropylene-recyclable, non-toxic and allergy-free.
I’ve been touched, Tom. And now, I say to the rest of you-
Tag. You’re it.
Excerpts from Tom’s journal:
8/20/07
Just passed Eureka. Seas have become rough and the going is getting tougher. We encountered a large school of dolphins this morning and they swam with us for two miles.Tom
8/28/07
Rough day today. There was very dense fog and eight-ft. swells. The seas were so big I lost my board and my paddle. I have a back-up board and paddle and thankfully no one was hurt. The ocean can be a very scary place. Tom
8/29/07
The seas were calm and beautiful today…thank goodness. I was able to retrofit my backup board and it worked pretty well. People are coming out to the beaches and piers along the way to cheer me on. It is the coolest thing. They energize me….in addition to the Ex Drinks I am drinking every day that is. Thank God for those too. Tom
9/4/07
Rough tough day today…35mph winds really caused problems for me and my team. The jet skis couldnt handle the waves and we only made 8 miles. We aren now 8 miles south of Bodega Bay. Should be in San Francisco in 4 to 5 days. Tom.
9/10/07
Passed Anyo Neuvo Island today and about 200 seals tried to chase me away. They are VERY territorial…this is the Red Triangle…one of the largest great white shark populations in the world. Didnt see any great whites today but my shark expert Sean said they definately saw me. Tom
9/22/07
We went 22 miles today. Encountered unbelievable winds…30 to 55 mph. We came very close to losing the jet skis too. Tried to push out through 10-ft waves and our representative from our sponsor…Ex Drinks…Kristen…risked his life to save the ski. We saw elephant seals and a pod of killer whales. It was so rough we had to put in on the beach. Will try to get to San Simeon by Sunday. Tom
9/24/07
I made it past the light house at Big Sur and now Im at the pier at San Simeon near Hearst Castle. This was a very tough trip around Big Sur but absolutely beautiful shoreline. Tom
10/3/07
I made it past Pt. Conception today. Unbelievable 50 MPH winds so it was very tough paddling. We did about 12 miles in some very rough ocean. Now just about 30 miles North of Santa Barbara. Tom
10/15/07
Arrived at the Malibu Pier today. I have unfortunately contracted some kind of mean bacterial infection. Another ocean pollution issue. I could barely stand up on the board today but…nonetheless…I was able to do 12 miles. There are quite a few media events planned for Malibu this Saturday so I hope everyone comes out - Tom
10/18/07
Today I arrived at King Harbor which is near Manhattan Beach. I was joined by 10 people on paddle boards along the way…which was really cool. The weather was beautiful and the sailing was smooth. We got a Harbor Patrol and Lifeguard escort complete with a 30-ft. high water cannon shot as we arrived at the harbor. Lots of momentum building. Come out to see us in Mailbu for a beach celebration this Saturday. Tom
10/31/07
I made it to Oceanside Harbor today. It was really windy and hot but I put in about 17 miles anyway. I paddled the entire length of Camp Pendleton and there were massive military operations along the way…helicopters….landing craft….airplanes…..kind of nerve wracking being on this little paddle board. Tom
11/1/07
Here we are at South Carlsbad State Beach. So many people along the way have paddled out to greet me. It is mind boggling how many people have heard about this project. I was interviewed by a San Diego TV station and by the newspapers this morning. Everything is gearing up for Saturdays big event at Ocean Beach. I hope you all can join us at 9am at the pier.
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Karin Gutman - Ecoist
Karin Gutman is a writer/producer who has written and developed projects for National Geographic, Nickelodeon, Hallmark and Scholastic Entertainment. In addition to her screen work, she has authored two illustrated books. She lives in Santa Monica, a model city to which she credits her green inspiration.
Tags: garbage, ocean pollution, plastic