Founder’s Blog
Aloha Ocean Lovers
The most important aspect that has come from this experience in the South Atlantic Gyre is “Family”. We are a part of a family that lives here on the blue water planet, a planet like no other in the universe, just as there is no one else exactly like you. This unique hydrological system is our bio dome traveling thru the dark space. The Oceans are the womb of our planet, where all living creatures have evolved from or are nourished by. The rivers are the arteries that carry nutrients and fresh water back to the ocean. Water connects all living beings on the planet. We all have one thing in common; we need water to live, CLEAN WATER.
“Many Rivers, One Ocean
Many People, One Planet
Water, Connects Us All”
Richard Sundance Owen
The bad news is that the South Atlantic Gyre has Plastic Pollution accumulating in it. The Good News is it’s 100 percent preventable. Gyre Cleanup begins on the Islands, on the beaches and in your neighborhood. Each of us can take responsibility; simply put, if you see plastic, pick it up. It’s everywhere !!! Make it a family outing or a game; make it fun, make it a priority. If we prevent more from going in, we have solved over 1/2 the problem. After all, Plastic Pollution is every-one’s concern; it is a vehicle to transport chemicals into our food chain. Even if you don’t eat from the ocean, most likely you know someone who does. The world’s population depends on the oceans for food, jobs, recreation and most importantly oxygen. Oceans produce over 70% of Earth’s Oxygen, and everyone NEEDS TO BREATHE!
Dr. Marcus Eriksen, Anna Cummins and Stiv Wilson, all of the 5 Gyres Institute, welcomed the team aboard the Sea Dragon for our 31 day expedition. It was an honor to be included on such a historical research voyage, an experience that changed my life, for the better. We where expecting to find Plastic Pollution and we did, although not in the amounts that the North Pacific has. There are reasons for the lesser density, the population of the Pacific Rim topping the list. This is the forth of five major Gyres that has gone under recent study. The 5 Gyres Institute will be researching the South Pacific Gyre in early 2011. This is the last remaining Gyre to be studied. Bottom Line, our water planet, our home is filling with our own plastic and chemical waste. We are seeing and soon will start feeling the effects of our (as a species) neglectful ways.
The vision and direction for our collective future will be decided by those who show up. Environmental Cleanup Coalition invites all those who feel drawn to creating a healthy planet to explore the possibilities with us today. Our oceans need us ! We need you, sign up on our site. Your next two opportunities to become directly involved will be to join our weekly tele-conference January 4th 9:30 am PST or in Santa Cruz, January 5th, call or email for details.
My deepest gratitude for all those who have supported us this past year. We launch into 2011 with 2020 vision, for seven generations to come.
Rich Sundance Owen
PS. Be sure to check our monthly calender for events and updates, new items are being added often.
“Water Unites Us All, Many Rivers, One Ocean. ” RSO
Food for All: If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. If you teach a man how to fish you feed him for a life time. When you teach him how to grow fish you feed his family for seven generations.
The Need: The Oceans provide a major food source for much of the world’s population. Over fishing is causing the fish stocks of the oceans to collapse; extinction is forever. The amount of toxins released into our environment (4 Billion pounds annually by USA manufacturers) is unfathomable. Many of these end up in our oceans; water does run down hill.
The Problem: Plastic and chemicals are entering our food chain. The EPA has warned of high levels of mercury in many of the fish we eat. This is actually the symptom. The real problem is that most people are unaware that our life styles are the root cause of this.
The Solutions: The Gyre Cleanup Contest, inviting the greatest minds from around the globe to answer the question, “How to remove plastic and chemicals from the marine environment without damaging the marine life?” This addresses both symptom and problem at the same time.
Aquaponics Systems, These sustainable and scalable on-land fish farms that dovetail with permaculture designs easing the pressure off of the oceans to have to produce. Our “Food For All” internship program teaches how to build these, while building them.
Who we are: Environmental Cleanup Coalition ( ECC ) was founded on the philosophy of being of service to our oceans, marine life and each other. We are a grass roots, solution-based group of diverse individuals who have come together to resolve the issues facing our oceans.
The Invitation: Join us at any level of commitment that you feel called. The time is now to unite for the health of the oceans and all it’s inhabitants. If you are looking to contribute to a Noble Cause, you have found what you are looking for.
Aloha
We couldn’t agree more with Stiv and 5 Gyres.org, post consumer cleanup could be incredibly expensive and time consuming, in the middle of the oceans. But what is the cost of doing nothing ? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You see the problem is not in the ocean, that is the symptom. The real Problem is that most people don’t know that our current life style is literally killing our oceans.
And that plastic and toxins are entering our food chain. This then becomes an education and awareness movement. The Oceans are calling for each of us to do our part. Whether we agree on a Gyre Cleanup, is mute. What we do all agree on is that immediate action is required by as many as we can inspire. People find their passion and motivation in different places. Some by science, technology, natural disaster, the environment, humanitarian causes or by the possibility that some day we could fly. We say we won’t know unless we try. What would the world be like if we all where the same ? Boring !
“The Gyre Cleanup begins on the Islands”. “Nature is doing what man has yet to figure out; How to safely remove plastic from the marine environment without damaging the marine life.”
Environmental Cleanup Coalition invites you to join in. In any way you feel called. “The Gyre Cleanup begins on the Islands”, “In My Back Yard” and “Adopt a Reef” are just a few ways in which we invite participation.
Thank you for doing all that you do for an abundant future for seven generations to come.
“Be the change you’d like to sea in the world.”
Aloha
Richard Sundance Owen