LETTERS TO POLITICIANS about WORLD OCEAN DAY & OCEAN POLLUTION

Pr. Trump, VP Pence, Senators Schumer, Gillibrand, congresseman Tonko, Gov Cuomo, (Rev 6-16-18)
 
Last April I learned that here is a WORLD OCEAN DAY- the United Nations General Assembly resolution approved it on December 2008, and it is now officially recognized by the UN as 8 June each year. I am a school teacher and I didn't even know about it! And yet according to the official online World Ocean day site; this is a day to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world's oceans.

The world's oceans are a major source of food and medicines and a critical part of the biosphere. In the end, it is a day to celebrate together the beauty, the wealth and the promise of the ocean.

However, most people (like I was) aren't aware about this day, and the dangers that our plastic trash poses to them and our planet. In fact, in my two years of researching this topic, I have found out that many people aren't aware of this threat to our planet- they think that by throwing plastic trash in the garbage- that it's safe, and it's OK. But it isn't. I also have see the level of ignorance about plastic pollution  in my community, the city where I live, Schenectady, NY, near the NY State capital.
Albany. 

Let me share a few depressing/tragic statistics, of this tragic reality that is, unfortunately, unknown to too many people. According to 2017 statistics from National Geographic and Green Peace, only 9% percent of our trash is recycled in the USA- the rest, 79%, is accumulating in landfills; sitting in the natural environment and contaminating our land and water, and at some point, much of it ends up in the oceans. If present trends continue, by 2050, there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic. Scientists estimate that between 8 (U.N. statistic) to 12 million tons of plastic is entering our oceans every year – that's a rubbish truck full every minute!  (Sources: www.greenpeace.org  and https://news.nationalgeographic.com/.../plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-

We also need to be aware that already 94% of all drinking water in the USA is polluted with micro plastic, and 70% of the world’s water contains plastic too!  (Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/06/plastic-fibres-found-tap-water-around-world-study-reveals )

And according to the World Ocean online official site;  80% of all pollution in the ocean comes from people on land. 8 million tonnes of plastic per year ends up in the ocean, wreaking havoc on wildlife, fisheries and tourism. Plastic pollution costs the lives of 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals per year. Fish eat plastic, and we eat the fish. Plastic causes $8 billion in damage to marine ecosystems each year.  (Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/oceansday/)

If you’re wondering how this trash gets to the ocean. The answer is simple; many garbage dumps are near rivers, hence the chemicals that are released from plastic trash seep into the ground and water, and a large amount of it floats to the ocean. In addition, other threats endanger the health of the ocean; discarded fishing nets, pesticides, herbicides (used by farmers), toothpaste, cosmetics, and high level of CO2 emissions.  (Sources: https://takeaction.oceanconservancy.org/ea-action/action  and  http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/


Here are some ACTIONS THAT OTHER COUNTRIES ARE TAKING TO PROTECT OUR PLANET.
a. Sweden charges a little more on plastic bottles deposits; they get from 5 cents to 30 cents per bottle/can- depending on its size (the bigger ones will get you 20-30 cents) so their recycling/return rate is 95%!  Sweden also burns trash to make electricity! From 3,000 lbs. of trash they get 1,000lbs of fuel! They even import it! They buy trash from other countries! Their trash turned into energy pollutes only 1% !  Swedish runners pick up plastic trash as they run!

b. Germany has turned recycling into a business- into a circular economy! They make a profit from trash! Because the government has regulated it.

c. England charges taxes to plastic manufactures (of plastic containers, bottles, etc.) and to packaging makers. This is the industry that packs meats, and other foods. England paves road with recycled plastic, which is 60% stronger than asphalt (what we normally use).

d. Costa Rica (a small country in Central America) and Rwanda (a small country in Africa) have banned all plastics bags. In addition Costa Rica and Indonesia (a company named AVANI) make biodegradable/natural plastic from the Yuca root! It can be eaten by animals and will not harm them! In India a family makes edible cutlery (silverware) that you can eat! Because it is made from food (rice, millet water, etc.)!  Costa Rica has also banned straws, and uses instead straws made from plants, like bamboo.

e. CANADA is the country that suggested, to the United nations, to adopt WORLD OCEAN DAY, which is celebrated on June 8th. Canadians are very environmentally conscious, they care about our planet. 

Why can't we do some of these things in the USA? And especially in our State? Because without the oceans our future will be doomed.I believe that all public places, including schools, and businesses, should be mandated to recycle both bottles/cans (redeemables) and single-stream items (plastic, metal, glass, cardboard and paper), plastic bags and many single-use items like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, q-tips, cups, dishes, lids, etc. should be banned because these, including plastic/foam packaging are the biggest ocean source of trash.

Why can't we do some of these things in the USA? And especially in our in NY State? I believe that all single-use plastic should be banned. I'm referring to bags, silverware, straws, cups, coffee stirrers, lids and Styrofoam containers/trays/cups/fillings, and plastic packaging, because these two are the biggest polluters. If governments refuse to ban them, then we the consumers, should stop purchasing them, and replace them with natural/biodegradable alternatives. We must because without the oceans our future will be doomed. This our my planet, our home and I will personally do all I can to defend it and prevent others from ruining it!
Thank you!

Ottavio Lo Piccolo,

educator and social/environmental activist

tel 518-370-4476