VITALITY - A blog by Ottavio Lo Piccolo

SOS! WARNING! PLASTIC in the WATER!
Resources, Ideas, Solutions and my artwork to motivate us to action and Save our Source of all water, the Oceans Art

Me, Ottavio Lo Piccolo, next to SAILS, acrylic painting on canvas.

WE CAN SAVE THE OCEANS & EARTH-

ONE RECYCLING BOX/BIN at-a -TIME!

PLASTIC POLLUTION is not an ILLUSION!

Let’s get ready to celebrate the oceans’ beauty, and the significance for life on earth, by applying the 4Rs in our homes, in our schools and at work.
Let's start taking better care of our planet by
For Earth Day (April 22) &
World Ocean Day (June 8).

Become a P.O.P.E., a Protector Of Planet Earth!
Take the Pledge! To care/defend all living things!

INTRODUCTION. Why I created this resource.
Dear reader, if you are a person who loves and cares for the ocean and our planet as me, then this book is for you. I am very concerned for the health of the world’s ocean because am an itinerant public school teacher, and I average about 80-90 miles a day during the work week, since my job is to teach English to children of immigrants. I am an ESL, or ENL, teacher. ESL stands for English as a Second Language, and ENL stands for English as a New Language. My job is to basically help my students learn and/or improve their English skills, so that they can become proficient (knowledgeable, so that they can make progress in school and in life. I teach in various schools, and In May 2016, I was reading and discussing a book with 4th graders, in one of my colleagues classrooms’, Mrs. Vissat’s reading class, at Jefferson Elementary School, in Schenectady, NY. The title of that book was The Voyage of Plastiki. This is a beautifully illustrated and well/simply written book. It is the story of “Plastiki”, a sailboat that had the hull, the underside of it, made from 12,000 plastic bottles. Plastiki sailed from San Francisco in California, to Sydney, in Australia, the summer of 2010. Why did the crew of Plastiki take such a risk in crossing an immense and dangerous ocean? Because the people on board wanted to raise awareness, show the whole world that our oceans are being degraded, damaged/destroyed with our plastic pollution, our plastic garbage and trash. I was shocked to learn that our oceans have so much plastic trash in them.
The story of Plastiki motivated me so much that I began to recycle more and write letters to our government leaders in Washington and in NY State. I also shared this letter with my colleagues, other teachers, and I wrote a simpler version for students. And in the fall of 2016 I began teaching about the oceans; how important they are for our survival on earth, how we are destroying it with plastic trash, and what we all can do to reduce this global environmental threat to our planet earth and to our health. In addition, I began recycling plastic in all the classrooms and encouraged the schools where I serve, to recycle and follow the 4Rs.
So, it is my also my hope that you to will take some positive action- do something good- to protect our oceans and the environment. One thing you can do is to refuse single- use items, like plastic bags (say no, and do not accept plastic bags when you go shopping), and /or recycle any plastic that you can’t keep. And of course, I hope that you too will encourage your schools to do their part (teach our students/children to recycle plastic and to follow the 4rs every where, so that plastic items are not that thrown in the garbage, because they contaminate the land, our drinking water and our precious oceans.
In an effort to educate and show the beauty, the majesty and the essential nature (the importance to the survival) of our planet- I would like to suggest the following three films. Nature, an amazing Disney film that the whole family will enjoy. Oceans, also a Disney movie that will amaze you! It will take you in the water and out, above the ocean, where you’ll discover incredible things marine animals and what amazing things they do in order to survive. A Plastic Ocean. This is an interesting and informative documentary film that shows the level of pollution in the oceans, the harm it causes to the environment, to all marine animals, and to us humans. However, I love the last part because Plastic Ocean will shows us the solutions! Another film similar to Plastic Ocean is: Plastic Paradise. The Great pacific Garbage Path. This film is suited for adults/more mature audience. It also shows the same problem, but the main character follows and goes after the plastic and industry that produces it, and she tries to show their unwillingness to tackle/control plastic production/pollution. And of course, if time is an issue for you, you can also see short videos that are listed in this book, or simply research Plastic pollution on the Internet and chose what you like! There’s plenty out there! Too bad you won’t see it in the major news networks, and or major US newspapers. Yes, plastic is a multi-billion industry! Enjoy the films/videos, and this book too. And thank you for reading up to this point and for your interest in our oceans.
(c) Ottavio Lo Piccolo. 4-18-18. (Educators are free to use this post in their students)

Contents- In this post you'll read about the following;

I. PROBLEM/ISSUE: The oceans of the world are in grave danger!
II. WHAT CAN WE DO? SOLUTIONS/REMEDIES now:

III. SCHOOLS (and BUSINESSES too) can PLAY A MAJOR ROLE in this effort;

IV. 10 Things You’re Not Doing (But Should) To Help The Ocean

V. Watch educational/informative (short) videos

VI. MORE videos/EVIDENCE… not opinions, about ocean pollution;

VII. Four Excellent Documentary films

VIII. NATURE MOVIES... for EARTH/OCEAN Day lessons

VIIIa. MORE videos/EVIDENCE… not opinions, on ocean pollution;

VIII- Communication with political leaders at all levels:
IX. MY ENL (English as a New Language) LESSONS on the OCEANS
X. Sign my petition, and/or any other petitions that aims at protecting the oceans and our environment.
XI. SUCCESS STORIES (recycling creates a circular economy)
XII. Homemade Recycling Boxes- to start recycling!
XIII. Schenectady County Recycles- Facts Sheet- what to
Recycle, Volunteer & Contact information
XIV. A Little Bit About me, and why of this book
XV. Become a P.O.P.E., a Protector Of Planet Earth!
Take the Pledge! To care/defend all living things!

Mother's Gentle Touch. Acrylic on canvas board by

La Dolce Spinta della Mamma. Acrilico su tela.

What are the oceans?

The oceans are the earth's major source of life. They provide humanity with most of its water, oxygen and food, so...
let's encourage and work together with our schools, our communities and our businesses, to save the ocean, our planet and create a Sustainable Economy!

Google image

I. PROBLEM/ISSUE: The oceans of the world are in grave danger!
a. We are polluting them at an alarming rate with our plastic trash; plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic silverware, dishes, cups, lids, straws, stirrers, lighters, markers, and much more. If you’re wondering how this trash gets to the ocean, the answer is simple; many garbage dumps are near rivers, hence the trash from these dumps floats to the ocean. But that’s not all! There are other threats that are also polluting the ocean; discarded fishing nets, pesticides, herbicides (used by farmers), toothpaste, cosmetics, and high level of CO2 emissions/pollution. We’re also degrading it with sewer waste that contains micro plastics (tiny particles of plastic), that are found in face scrubs, cosmetics and even in some toothpaste. Micro plastics are now also in the air we breathe- they are released from motor vehicle tires and from clothes dryers!

b. This situation is unsustainable (can’t go on any longer); hence it must stop and/or reduced- to avoid the destruction our planet. It is also foolish for us to waste this resource- plastic can be recycled- and re-entered in the economy. Experts tell us that up to 80% of our trash winds up in the ocean. So, instead of recycling it, and make a profit- we just throw it away. The idea that plastic was disposable was deceiving! Plastic has never, and will never be disposable. The only thing that is becoming disposable is the oceans and our planet!!

c. It is a fact; very year 8-million tons of plastic per year (at this time- 2018- one truck full of plastic trash every minute!) ends up in our ocean killing millions of marine animals. Sea creatures, like turtles, dolphins and seals, get caught in discarded fishing gear, and/or mistake plastic bags for their next meal and die eating them. Fish ingest deflated balloons and choke to death. Millions of sea birds die because they too ingest pieces of floating plastic (cigarette lighters, straws, markers, etc.). Over fishing, pollution and habitat fragmentation are wearing down the health of our oceans, which degrade coral reefs and corrode the shells of sea creatures— it's not surprising that ocean ecosystems are rapidly collapsing.”
(Sources: https://takeaction.oceanconservancy.org/ea-action/action

http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/

And images at http://www.lazerhorse.org/2013/11/23/great-pacific-garbage-patch/#

d. In fact, according to National Geographic and Green Peace’s (2017 statistics), only nine percent of our trash has been recycled. The vast majority, that is 79%, is accumulating in landfills or sitting in the natural environment. This means, that at some point, much of it ends up in the oceans. So, if present trends continue, by 2050 there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic.
(Source: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/.../plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-...)

e. In their latest estimates, scientists tell us that 12 million tons of plastic is entering our oceans every year – that's a rubbish truck full every minute! ... In addition, micro beads are too small to be filtered out by wastewater plants, these plastic pieces are remaining in water that may end up flowing into the ocean. (Source: www.greenpeace.org)
(There isn’t much we can do about micro-plastic now, except to ban cosmetics and certain toothpastes, and to use natural fibers instead of polyester clothes. In the future, as technology improves; better and more efficient sewer filtration systems could replace the old ones to filter the micro-plastics. In the meantime we must reduce recycle plastic and avoid products with micro beads.)

Google image

II. WHAT CAN WE DO? SOLUTIONS/REMEDIES now:

We must take action now, and apply these steps in our life:
First, apply the 4Rs (Recycle, Reduce, Reuse and Refuse) in our homes, in our schools, our churches, and our work places. This is an effective way to reduce our carbon footprint (the level of pollution and energy that we currently use).
We can start by; deploying labeled recycling containers next to trash bins. The ratio should be (whenever possible): One-to-one trash bin, and one recycling container/bin (next to each other). This should be the norm, so that people won’t miss them- especially wherever food is served/made (in kitchens, cafeterias, restaurants, juice bars, classrooms and meeting rooms).
Second, we will also reduce pollution when we refuse, and/or boycott/avoid the use of single-use plastic, like plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic silverware, plastic dishes, plastic straws, coffee stirrers, cigarette lighters (use matches instead), disposable razors (use safety razors instead- they're better, last longer and you save money!) and markers (use colored pencils and/or your computer to make signs).
Third. Other helpful/effective steps in reducing our footprint is: driving less, and/or only when necessary (or if you can afford it) buy an electric car or a hybrid one. Hybrids run on batteries & gasoline. Install solar panels on your roof! However, if you cannot afford these, you can save energy and money when you turn down the thermostat in our homes (to 60/65 degrees max) during the winter. You can also reduce energy cost by drying your laundry naturally, in the sun or in a heated room, or outside in the warm sun- so you don't use the electric drier as much. y. In addition, electric clothes driers spew out (into the outdoor air) micro beads (tiny pieces of plastic from polyester clothes). So, avoid clothes that aren't made from natural fibers. So, if you can, don't buy polyester clothes/fibers, instead purchase only natural ones like 100% wool, and/or 100% cotton. natural fibers are also better/healthier for us, they keep us cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. Other minor factors, that can help the ocean environment stay cleaner are, the following items. Instead of the following plastic products; of plastic lighters use wood matches, wood stirrers, paper plates and cups instead of plastic, your computer, or colored pencils to make signs instead of using plastic markers. safety razors instead of disposable ones, buy shaving blades by the bulk (100 for $10 on Amazon), and natural shaving soap instead of shaving cream in aerosol cans! Natural body washing soap instead of liquid soap that may contain microbeads! You'll be kind on the environment and you'll save money too! Any more ideas? Please let me know and share them with me.

Recycling Tips by The Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County, NY.
You can recycle these items; plastic containers, bottles, tubs, lids, and jugs (food/beverage and health/beauty containers), glass bottles and jars (food/beverage containers), aluminum cans, clean tin-foil balled-up, foil pie pans, foil food trays, empty aerosol canisters, paper products like junk mail, envelopes, folders, newspapers, magazines, paper egg cartons, paper bags, drink cartons, paper bags, drink cartons, paper juice boxes, etc. cardboard boxes & thin paperboard rolls. (Note: single-stream means that different recycling materials can be put in the same recycling bin- no need to sort paper from plastic).

PLASTIC BAGS that can be recycled are bags that hold: bread, newspaper, fresh produce, frozen food, cereal, zipper-type baggies, shrink wrap from paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, etc)

DO NOT PUT THESE IN YOUR RECYCLING BIN; plastic bags and other thin plastic films, Styrofoam (c), small plastic items like silverware (forks/spoons/knives), straws, coffee stirrers, etc.,
dishes, ceramics, mirrors, windows, soiled tissues, napkins, paper towels batteries, or electronics (you can bring these to e-waste electronics retail outlets (fees may apply).Complex materials like garden hoses, VHS tapes, electrical wires, textiles, etc. hazardous waste. (Bring to a Schenectady County Collection Event. Call the Recycling Educator to request information 518-372-1622, ext. 264.
FABRIC & TEXTILES: You can donate and recycle fabric and textiles at clothing drop-off bins near you. Recycle: All types of clothing, all types of shoes & boots, linens & bedding, towels & throw rugs, curtains & canvas cloths, book bags, purses & more. You may recycle clothing & fabric regardless of condition. Items can be stained, ripped, missing buttons, broken zippers, etc. However, items must be odorless, dry & free from blood stains or grease. To find a clothing drop-off bin near you visit: nysar3.org/textile_recovery_locations.php

HOME GOODS: Never throw away household items that are still in good condition! Furniture, tools, toys, home goods, books, kitchenware, and small appliances can be donated to local charitable organizations as these (Albany Capital region, NY) Home Furnishing Program 518-346-2444. City Mission 518-399-0917. Habitat for Humanity 518-395-3412. Salvation Army 518-399-8444. Good Will 518-355-4265.

BATTERIES: Drop off rechargeable batteries at local home improvement stores. Visit call2recycle.org/locator to find a drop-off site near you.

ELECTRONICS. Donate electronics that are still in working order! Recycle cellphones at any cellphone service provider/store. Bring e-waste to electronics retail store outlets (fees may apply).

Most e-waste is accepted for free at County Compost & Recycling Facility 24 Hetcheltowon Road, Glenville, NY. You may purchase a permit $20/year and recycle many items for free (additional fees for TVs). Call 518-399-6980.

Second; we need to inform/educate our community in becoming aware of the poor condition of the world’s oceans, which have been degraded by our plastic trash. According to two estimates we have only then years to clean up the world’s oceans from our plastic pollution (and other pollutants) before it will be too late. In the second estimate, marine biologists, predict that within two generations -the oceans will collapse (die) - hence; humanity would not be able to survive. The oceans are the biggest and most important source of life (water, food, oxygen, salt, etc.)- Therefore, we must do all we can, to save them now! Before it is too late! For more info. on World’s Ocean Day, visit:
http://www.worldoceansday.org/below-the-surface/earth-day-celebrating-our-blue-planet

Third, we should learn from countries that are doing a good job at reducing waste/pollution. They are leading environmentally! Who are applying the 4Rs at all levels of society. At home, at work in business and in governments. Many North Western European countries, like Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and many others use renewable sources (wind/solar), recycle more, make polluters and/or manufactures of plastics pay fees and have higher deposit fees for returnables like plastic/glass bottles and soft drink cans. Sweden burns trash to make electricity! For more info. see the video below. Copy the link on your address browser, and see how smart/efficient and environmentally responsible they are! Unlike the USA where almost 80% of our trash ends up in the ocean! As you can read in the intro. paragraph above in # I d & e. In addition, the State of California, the city of Austin (in Texas), and the country of Rwanda have banned all plastic bags/packaging. Why can't our state and nation do the same? I suspect that the plastic's industry lobby is a powerful one! But we can beat it if we refuse their products and/or demand that they take action!

Sweden Burns Trash and creates clean energy

https://www.facebook.com/AmericaVersusbyattn/videos/1798809543760630/

CITIES/COUNTRIES WHO ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

A. San Francisco is a prime example of how it is reducing waste and becoming 100% green, hence reducing its carbon footprint

https://www.facebook.com/LCVoters/videos/1659063324180719/

III. GOVERNMENTS, SCHOOLS & BUSINESSES can PLAY A MAJOR ROLE in this effort. School should include Earth Day and World Ocean Day in its curriculum, and teach/educate and motivate students into action to help our oceans, and our planet in general, stay clean! However, we the educators must lead by example. We too have to apply the 4Rs ourselves, in our classrooms, and start recycling now! Because recycling plastic is good for our planet and our pockets! It makes economic sense too! We can make money from recycling!
Begin with;

a. Recycling plastic water bottles, plastic bags and soda cans in our school classrooms, instead of throwing them in garbage- because that's throwing away natural resources and money! Schools spend thousand of dollars every year on deposit fees! And yet most of them do not recycle! That's silly, irresponsible and immoral! Yes, if schools recycled, other would follow, and the oceans would be better off- much cleaner- and at the same time, we would save precious resources and help our communities by saving tax money! The funds raised, by recycling/redeeming bottle/cans returnables, could be used to offset cost, or to support school activities (e.g., field trips, educational materials, needed supplies, etc.), and/or donated to charity! Students, teachers and school staff should be the beginning points, the first step, the launching pads, that will inspire others into action. However, this initiative must come from us, the educators, with our good example and modeling; by ourselves leading the way, in recycling in our own classrooms/schools. This is what students and the public needs to see- so that they too will inspired to do more for our oceans and our planet!

b. Recycling containers should be placed next to each trash bin. This would make it easy for people to recycle and for collecting.

If recycling bins can't purchased, cardboard boxes like this one above, can be used/placed in classrooms, school cafeterias, hallways, teacher's lounges, meeting rooms, bathrooms, and/or anywhere where there is a trash bin; to collect plastic bottles and soda cans, which can be turned in/redeemed for cash (deposit for bottle/cans) instead of throwing them in the garbage. These boxes will be a temporary starting point, an incentive, that can motivate others to recycle and eventually durable bins could be purchased. You can see more images of these boxes at the bottom.

We can also reduce/refuse pollution when we boycott, avoid and/or refuse single-use-plastic bags, and/or recycle the ones we have.
We should also avoid purchasing other plastic products that aren’t recyclable, like silverware, straws, coffee stirrers, lighters, markers/felt tip pens (you can make your own signs on the computer). We should instead buy/use paper silverware and cups. We must also avoid foam cups and trays. Styrofoam isn't recyclable and it also poisons the environment. If everyone did this, the plastic industry would be forced to find alternative solutions/products that do not harm the environment.

c. Use/Install light sensors in bathrooms, and/or any other rooms where electricity is being wasted. I’ve served many different schools in my career as an itinerant teacher- and I’ve seen lots of waste; resources like electricity and redeemable (cans/bottles) thrown out in the trash, and electricity gone out the windows- lights are left on in empty/unused rooms for hours!

Here is a useful article!

IV. "10 Things You’re Not Doing (But Should) To Help The Ocean

1. Reduce use of all plastic products, but especially single-use ones. Using fewer single-use plastic products, like plastic bags, bottles, containers, straws and cutlery, is especially key. Single-use plastic items are the “biggest source of trash” found in or near water bodies worldwide. Start bringing your own reusable bag to the supermarket and a reusable bottle for your water; refuse a straw when you order a beverage, and leave a set of reusable cutlery at your desk at work.

2. DON’T Litter

According to Jambeck, mismanaged waste like litter is the No. 1 cause of plastic garbage in the world’s oceans. A plastic bag that gets caught in a breeze could end up in a storm drain; that empty plastic bottle left on a beach could get carried out by the tide. Ocean Conservancy recommends always “taking five” whenever you leave a space to ensure that you’ve collected all your trash and disposed of it properly.
Plastic bags are especially prone to becoming litter, as they are easily carried away in the wind. If you must throw away a plastic bag, be sure it’s balled up or weighed down so it can’t easily float away.

3 Recycle when you can, and do it right

Different kinds of plastics typically can’t be recycled together, and many facilities won’t accept certain types of plastic at all, like Styrofoam, vinyl and plastic film products like plastic bags and cling-wrap (these products have been known to gum up recycling equipment). To add to the confusion, municipalities across the U.S. have differing rules when it comes to recycling plastics. Some might accept type 7 plastics, for instance, but others will not. “No matter where you live, you have to check the local municipality for their rules,” said Hoover, who recommended reviewing your local city or town website for more information. You also have to continue checking in, she added, as these rules often change without much warning.

4 Choose non-synthetic fabrics when possible

Studies have found that micro plastics — plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters long — can get washed out of synthetic clothing, like those made of polyester or acrylic.
A single cycle of a washing machine could release more than 700,000 micro plastic fibers into the environment, concluded one 2016 paper. Natural fabrics to consider instead include organic cotton, wool, flax and hemp. Studies have found that micro plastics — plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters long — can get washed out of synthetic clothing, like those made of polyester or acrylic. A single cycle of a washing machine could release more than 700,000 microplastic fibers into the environment, concluded one 2016 paper. Natural fabrics to consider instead include organic cotton, wool, flax and hemp.

5 Say no to microbeads

Plastic microbeads are sometimes added as an exfoliating agent to personal care and beauty products like face scrubs, soaps and toothpaste. These tiny plastic pieces can pass unfiltered through sewage treatment systems and end up in local waterways, and eventually the sea. Recognizing the potential risk that microbeads pose to marine environments and possibly human health, several countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., have introduced bans of the substance. Many of these bans have yet to be enforced, however, and some are limited in scope, so remain vigilant when purchasing products that could have microbeads in them. Look out for terms like “exfoliator,” “scrub,” “buff” and “polish.”

6 Participate in clean-up efforts

Every year, Ocean Conservancy organizes the International Coastal Cleanup, a global event that asks volunteers to collect plastic and other garbage from coastal areas and waterways. Last year, more than 700,000 people in more than a 100 countries participated in the event, collecting more than 18 million pounds of trash in a single day.In 2017, the cleanup event is planned for Sept. 16 ― but you don’t have to wait till then to do something. Ocean Conservancy has a DIY toolkit to help you organize clean-ups in your own community.

7 Support plastic bag bans

Using a plastic bag for groceries may seem convenient, but the ubiquitous sack is one of America’s greatest waste challenges. An average American family of four uses more than 1,500 plastic bags every year, according to the NRDC. Each bag is typically only used for about 12 minutes; yet since plastic bags are very rarely recycled, most of them end up in landfills, where they can languish for hundreds of years.
If everyone used fewer plastic bag, that’d be a big help. But according to Jennie Romer, a New York City lawyer and founder of the website Plastic Bag Laws, another way to make a big impact is to support single-use bag laws — specifically measures that support the reduction of all kinds of single-use bags, including plastic and paper.
Preliminary evidence suggests that single-use bag laws can be very effective in reducing waste. Across the U.S., there are already many of them in place. Last year, California became the first state to ban single-use plastic bags at all retail outlets, and in 2010, Washington, D.C., implemented a 5-cent fee for all single-use bags, both plastic and paper. Cities and towns in Texas, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Colorado, among other states, have also embraced some form of single-use bag legislation.
For most of the nation, however, plastic and other single-use bags remain widely available.
Find out more about plastic bag legislation around the country and how you can get involved by visiting Plastic Bag Laws.

8 Support companies that have out-of-the-box approaches to reducing, reusing and recycling plastics

Use your dollar to support companies and entrepreneurs that are doing their part to reduce plastic waste in their business. They might be rethinking product design, like this deodorant brand with its reusable, refillable containers; or incorporating recycled materials into their goods, like activewear companies that are turning plastic bottles into clothing or social enterprises like Greensole (pictured above) that recycles old shoes into new ones. There are also companies out there attempting to reduce waste across their entire value chain. Take Dell, which is recycling old computers into new ones as part of a new recycling initiative. The company has also started collecting plastic trash from waterways and beaches to turn it into packaging material.
Consider also supporting green groups like 5Gyres, Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup, which are leading the fight to clean up the world’s oceans.

9 Engage your family and friends

· Waste is not an issue people often talk about, but for change to occur, the conversations need to start.“This is a critical issue that’s tied up in so many other environmental concerns,” said Minter. “Yet people seem to have an aversion to it. They just don’t take much of an interest. Where’s the Paris landfill conference? You don’t see environmental groups flying celebrities into anywhere to talk about waste.” The dialogue can begin in your own home and among your own friends. Start engaging your loved ones and your community on this important issue.

10 Track your progress

Start paying attention to the amount of plastic you use and throw away on a daily basis. And as you start cutting back on your consumption, jot down a tally of all the plastics you “save.” You’ll likely be amazed.
Ocean Conservancy also has a Clean Swell App, which lets you track your beach cleanup efforts. It lets you share your progress on social media and submit data directly into a global ocean trash database.

Source: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tips-to-save-plastic_us_590c1a02e4b0104c734db229

Scroll to the bottom, of this post, and then click on the link with the title below:

10 Things You’re Not Doing (But Should) To Help The Ocean

V. Watch educational/informative (short) videos; (:Note, to view the videos, click on the link. However, if that doesn't work, copy and paste the link in your address browser and press enter:)

1. What really happens to the plastic you throw away - By Emma Bryce (4 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xlNyWPpB8 This is an excellent fun/educative documentary that everyone will understand. We’ve all been told that we should recycle plastic bottles and containers. But what actually happens to the plastic if we just throw it away? Emma Bryce traces the life cycles of three different plastic bottles, shedding light on the dangers these disposables present to our world.

2. Ocean Pollution - Save Our Marine Life (4 min) - https://youtu.be/l3XGUnjDRUQ

This is an inspiring upbeat video, although sad, display of ocean trash/destruction video & still images are used together with music- a great combination that summarizes the actions we need to take- in order to save our oceans. Catching images and energetic music will inspire and motivate you to take action now!

3. The World Ocean "Trashed" (10 min.) https://youtu.be/aBOlzTeyTZg

An award winning film. The world ocean's food chain is being polluted with plastics. This program has won the Ocean Film Festival Award of Excellence at the NOAA sponsored Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary film festival. This short educational documentary shows the negative effects of plastic pollution, but it also shows what people around the world are doing to contain/reduce plastic pollution.

4. How We Can Keep Plastics Out of Our Ocean | National Geographic (3 min.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQTUWK7CM-Y&t=30s
This is an excellent straight to the point video. It shows us how our plastic trash and other pollution reach the sea- and what we can do to prevent and/or stop it.

5. BAG IT 1- Part 1 of 'Bag it' where the 'ordinary' American Jeb Berrier ('I'm not a tree hugger') researches the use of plastic.

https://youtu.be/Km-CYcf2ags?list=PLiQmjwY1e5icKM_1j9VMX7u5y5fgpvNOj&t=57

5a. BAG IT 2
https://youtu.be/93CiP8A_PNE?list=PLiQmjwY1e5icKM_1j9VMX7u5y5fgpvNOj&t=7

5b. BAG IT 3
https://youtu.be/J8IGJMR5vS8?list=PLiQmjwY1e5icKM_1j9VMX7u5y5fgpvNOj&t=4

5c. BAG IT 4
https://youtu.be/dILtAryqVJw?list=PLiQmjwY1e5icKM_1j9VMX7u5y5fgpvNOj&t=1

6. How can we Clean up the Oceans (4 min.)- In this brief video we learn that 4-12 metric tons of plastics wash into the oceans every year. So plastic is a huge problem in the oceans, but engineers and research groups are working on how to deal with it. Hank describes some of the leading proposed solutions. https://youtu.be/7i8pjnjZcF8

VI. MORE videos/EVIDENCE… not opinions, about ocean pollution;

7. A Whopping 91% of Plastic Isn't Recycled

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/.../plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-...

Jul 19, 2017 - Of that, only nine percent has been recycled. The vast majority—79 percent—is accumulating in landfills or sloughing off in the natural environment as litter. Meaning: at some point, much of it ends up in the oceans, the final sink. If present trends continue, by 2050, there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic ...

8. How does plastic end up in the ocean? | GREENPEACE New Zealand www.greenpeace.org

Aug 23, 2017 - Scientists have shown that up to 12 million tons of plastic is entering our oceans every year – that's a rubbish truck full every minute. ... As many of these microbeads are too small to be filtered out by wastewater plants, these plastic pieces are remaining in water that may end up flowing into the ocean.

9. When The Mermaids Cry: The Great Plastic Tide

By Claire Le Guern Lytle. Last updated in January 2017.

Of the 260 million tons of plastic the world produces each year, about 10 percent ends up in the Ocean, according to a Greenpeace report (Plastic Debris in the World's Oceans, 2006). Plastic Pollution plastic-pollution.org/

10. The Oceans Are Drowning In Plastic - And No One's Paying Attention https://www.huffingtonpost.com/.../plastic-waste
oceans_us_58fed37be4b0c46f0781d...

Apr 27, 2017 - That's a total of about 19 billion pounds of garbage. And according to one of the best estimates available, that's how much plastic waste ends up in our oceans every year. “We're being overwhelmed by our waste,” said Jenna Jambeck, an environmental engineer who led the 2015 study that determined this ...

11. Plastic trash is killing millions of sea birds. http://plasticfreetuesday.com/2016/05/24/midway/

12. Plastic kills marine mammals

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/marine-animals-are-dying-because-of-our-plastic-trash/

VII. Four Excellent Documentary films
1. A PLASTIC OCEAN- This is an adventure documentary shot on more than 20 locations for over 4 years. Explorers Craig Leeson (also a journalist) and Tanya Streeter (an Olympic world champion deep-sea diver and world champion), and a team of international scientists reveal the causes and consequences of plastic pollution and share solutions. An interesting and educational film that presents the problem ocean plastic pollution beautifully. It also offers hope/solutions; hence it will motivate you to act. In fact, after watching it, I finally understood why we often see whales dying on beaches worldwide. To take action join the global movement at www.plasticoceans.org At this site you can request for a public screening of A PLASTIC OCEAN and to watch trailer CLICK/VISIT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zrn4-FfbXw

2. Plastic Paradise. The GREAT Pacific Garbage Patch (film). The Great Pacific garbage patch, also described as the Pacific trash vortex, a large area that is polluted with plastic. This film was released in August 2010; Plastic Paradise Movie – an independent documentary by Angela Sun uncovering the mystery of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch known as the Plastic Paradise · The source of the garbage patches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf5JI0b1L7k\

3. Love Thy Nature. Filmmaker Sylvie Rokab examines the beauty and intimacy of mankind's relationship with the natural world. Released April 14, 2015. Narrated by Liam Neeson. This film’s topic is nature; how we need it to lead a healthier life and protect living things and our planet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7yljPRMZJA&t=17s

4. An inconvenient sequel- TRUTH TO POWER. This is a powerful and urgent message for humanity. I love VP Al Gore's dedication, passion and leadership in fighting for our planet. He truly is a visionary, an intelligent, but most of a caring human being who cares for our planet and environmental justice. I urge you to see this film, if you want to protect earth and begin taking action to make our planet, cleaner, safer and livable again. The time to act now is now. LET'S LEARN HOW! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huX1bmfdkyA

VIII. NATURE MOVIES... for EARTH/OCEAN Day lessons

1. NATURE. Disney movie. A global journey reveals how animal mothers struggle to raise their young in an increasingly dangerous environment. In the Arctic, a polar bear and her two newborn cubs must find food across the quickly melting ice. In Africa, an elephant and her calf begin an arduous journey in search of water, but a pride of lions guards the pool. A humpback whale must keep her calf safe over thousands of miles as they migrate from the equator to Antarctica. Released in 2007. Narrated by: Patrick Stewart (British release.

2. OCEANS. Disney movie. Most of the Earth's surface is covered by water; using the latest technology, filmmakers Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud set out to explore the underwater world. Diving deep into the waters that ultimately sustain all life on Earth, Perrin and Cluzaud capture spectacular footage of the amazing beauty and harsh reality of life beneath the waves. Released in 2010. Narrators: Jacques Perrin, Pierce Brosnan, Rie Miyazawa Awards: César Award for Best Documentary

IX. MY ENL (English as a New language) LESSONS on the OCEANS; to educate all students; on the benefits of the ocean, how we are polluting it, and what we can do to protect it.

The first lesson is a presentation. To see it, do a search in this blog and type this title: Ocean- Why do we like it? And/or visit, or click, on this link: http://ottaviolopiccolo.blogspot.com/2016/06/ocean-why-do-like-it-lets-take-look.html This is a very large post, a lesson/presentation on the ocean- located also here, in this blog DOLCE- AMARO. It is both in English and Italian (I have relatives, friends and colleagues in Italy). It is an extensive and informative post with many images, and the following parts: an introduction about the ocean, a list w/explanations of 10 Essential Ocean Facts, how the ocean sustains life, how we benefit from it, but also how we are polluting it and what we can do to save it. In addition, it lists the 7Rs; these are actions that we can take in order to better protect the ocean and the environment), the voyage of Plastiki (a vessel/boat with the hull, underside, made with 12,000 plastic bottles. Plastiki crossed the pacific to raise plastic pollution awareness in 2012). And last but not least, this lesson/presentation has a list of educational/informative videos and two films, on the ocean plastic threat and various solutions to this problem.

The 2^nd lesson in my blog, is Oceans’ 13 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1152318122222144980#allposts/postNum=0

This is a simple written lesson with 13 questions (about the ocean) and 13 answers and many images.

The 3rd lesson is: WORLD’S OCEANS SUBMERGED in our PLASTIC POLLUTION! LET’S work together and RESCUE our Oceans! This is an extensive research article that I wrote soon after I became aware of this problem in 2016. Click/visit the link below to read it. You’ll learn about this issue in more details from National Geographic sources, the documentary films: A Plastic Ocean, Plastic Paradise and others.

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1152318122222144980#editor/target=post;postID=4352937638082951406;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=1;src=link

X. Sign my petition, and/or any other petitions that aim at protecting the oceans and our environment, by visiting/clicking the link http://www.thepetitionsite.com/180/844/892/save-the-oceans-from-pollution./

or log in to www.care2.org and type the following words: “SAVE THE OCEANS FROM POLLUTION & OTHER THREATS” in the search box, top right.

Fourth- Join/support agencies that protect our planet;

a. Ocean Champions- The only political voice for the oceans www.oceanchampions.org This is a 501(c)(4) organization with a connected political action committee – the first national organization of its kind focused solely on oceans and ocean wildlife. Our goal is to create a political environment where protecting and restoring the oceans is a national government priority. By helping to elect pro-ocean Congressional candidates and engaging with Congress to pass pro-ocean laws and shoot down bills that would harm the ocean.

b. Join Earthjustice- www.EARTHJUSTICE.ORG a public interest law firm dedicated to protecting natural resources, the wildlife of this earth and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. Earthjustice has a legal staff of more than 50 in eight offices around the country. Earthjustice uses federal and state environmental laws to protect the environment by taking government agencies to court for failing to enforce our nation's environmental laws, and corporations for breaking them. Earthjustice does this work on behalf of hundreds of community and environmental groups, providing legal services free of charge.

c. Oceana www.oceana.org is the largest international group focused solely on ocean conservation. Their offices in North America, South America and Europe, work together on a limited number of strategic, directed campaigns to achieve measurable outcomes that will help return our oceans to former levels of abundance. They believe in the importance of science in identifying problems and solutions. Their scientists lead a team of economists, lawyers, and advocates focused on achieving tangible results for the oceans. Saving the oceans may take decades, but in each of their campaigns they aim to accomplish an important milestone in that effort within two to five years.

d. CITIZENS’ CLIMATE LOBBY, protects the environment and meets every 3^rd Saturday of the month at the Colonie Public Library, NY, from 10am- 12 noon. To join, log on to: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/about-ccl/ Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change by consistently respectful, non-partisan approach to climate education. (You can find other good/reliable/efficient environmental agencies on www.charitynavicgator.com )

e. The Climate Reality Project. Founded and chaired by Nobel Laureate and former Vice President Al Gore, The Climate Reality Project is dedicated to catalyzing a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent a necessity across every level of society. Join a global community of millions who’ve come together to solve the climate crisis. In the coming days and weeks, we’ll connect you with many ways to take the fight forward. Visit
https://www.climaterealityproject.org/
to download the free action kit and learn 12 ways you can educate and inspire your community to take bold action on climate.

f. Join SIERRA CLUB to promote legislative environmental changes (I did!), by visiting:
https://atlantic2.sierraclub.org/content/take-action-today

g. CORNELL UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSIOIN of Schenectady County, NY
They provide support in recycling and educating the public. Their contact is Angelina Peone, Recycling Educator, Tel. 518-372-1622 ext 264, Email: ap2267@cornel.edu
and: cceschenectady.org/recycling

X- Communicate with political leaders at all levels: in our towns/villages, cities, county, Congress and at the state level. We must inform them of the dangers of ocean plastic pollution, and request that they take action to protect our environment, especially our oceans, and demand that they take effective action. For example they can pass laws/regulations that ban plastic bags, and foam containers (cups and food trays), and/or regulate the plastic and packaging industries to force them to recycle, limit or switch to biodegradable products. Ask your state government to increase deposit collection fees on bottles and cans to 10cents and more for bigger containers! As they have done in other European countries- where their rate of recycling for bottle/cans is over 90%.
Let's demand that recycling plants be built in your county- this would help reduce pollution, create jobs and clean our environment! This is something that many European countries are doing. Sweden is turning trash into clean energy! They even pay for trash!

These are some actions that our governments should take;

a. Begin to RECOGNIZE/REWARD/SUPPORT/FINANCE businesses and especially public entities: schools, museums, prisons, hospitals and other government organizations, in addition to private businesses (food establishments, hotels), that voluntarily reduce the use of pollutants. Those organizations and businesses that voluntarily follow the 4Rs, and use biodegradable, and/or natural products, should be declared environmentally friendly, or ECO-FRIENDLY, and should be given recognition, in the form of free publicity and financial rewards (e.g., tax reductions, grants, interest free loans, etc.). Our governments should finance environmentally friendly projects/investments, like recycling centers/plants and therefore put back into the economy use

Above: Torretta, the town where I was born and raised. It is a small town near Palermo, Sicily. The Mediterranean Sea can be seen between the two mountains. Here I experienced the beauty, majesty, mystery and love of the sea.

Become a P.O.P.E., a Protector Of Planet Earth!
Take the Pledge! To care/defend all living things!
"I promise to be kind to the earth and all living things (including people!), and to do my best- all I can- in protecting earth's oceans and its environment by all types of pollution and/or any other threat." By Ottavio Lo Piccolo

Above: SAILS. Acrylic painting on canvas. (c) Ottavio Lo Piccolo
Below: Me, in my studio (my parent's home, Sequoit, a small town outside Utica NY) when I created Sails (circa mid 1980s)

Above: Flowers in New York. Oil on canvas. (c) Ottavio Lo Piccolo.

This is me, in recent school photo.

XIII. A little about me and why of this project.
I'm not a science teacher, and I do not pretend to be an expert in ocean pollution. In fact, the factual/scientific information I presented here is not mine, however, this is basically a collection of knowledge by experts, some of their solutions and some of ideas/suggestions in reducing the threat of pollution.
Why this project? I've put together this resource because of my concern for our planet. It is a reality, a fact, that I have always been concerned and cared for nature. This interest began early, when I was a teenager. You can notice my interest in nature and the environment, in the artworks/paintings that you see here, which I created as a child. The one at the very top, titled, SAILS, and also above the photo of myself, was made in my mid 20's. Flowers in the City (above the photo of myself) was created in my late teens. Other art works like the one you see below, titled: POLLUTION (Or Nature Crucified)- was made in NY City, while I was in high school. Others were created even earlier, as the one below, titled: Work ahead! I was 15-16 years old at the time and living in Torretta, a small town in Sicily, a few miles from the Mediterranean Sea.

.Above: Swans. Acrylic on canvas. (c) Ottavio Lo Piccolo.

BELOW: Work Ahead! Crayons on paper. By Ottavio Lo Piccolo, 1973.

CONCLUSION. If we all cooperate and participate in working toward a clean/safe, healthy planet, we can save the oceans and our planet. I realize that I'm not a science teacher, and I do not claim/pretend to be an expert in pollution. So, I must make clear that what I presented here are not my findings, but those by experts. However, I've created this resource because I have always been concerned and cared for nature. You can notice this, my interest in nature, and the interest in protecting of the environment, in the artworks/paintings that you see (above, and one below). I made these works a long time ago, as a young teenager. The one titled: Men Working, I made it in Sicily (from my town, overlooking north over the Mediterranean Sea. One or two years before my family and I left Italy and I migrated to the USA, in 1974- I was 17 at the time). The one at the very top, titled: SAILS, (also shown here below- under the pledge), was made in my mid 20's. So was Flowers in the City (above). The one below, titled: POLLUTION (or Nature Crucified)- I made while in high school (in NY City).

It is my hope that this Online Resource Book will;

raise awareness on the conditions of the world's oceans (12 million tons of plastic is entering our oceans every year – that's a rubbish truck full every minute!
inform/educate with educational videos, films, presentations and lessons
share steps/ideas/solutions in reducing the global environmental threat of plastic pollution
locate resources for; biodegradable/natural products, and agencies/organizations that help our planet stay clean
tell winning stories/actions - that people all over the world are doing/taking in order to protect the oceans' and the environment.
Motivate all of us to; recycle plastic in our homes, at work, in our classrooms, and to motivate ourselves
Encourage us (educators/parents) in taking the lead in reducing plastic trash and all other forms of pollution, so that our students can be inspired to follow our example- hence students (and soon their families) will be encouraged to take positive/effective active roles in protecting the planet.
Remind us to celebrate Earth Day (April 22nd) and World Ocean's Day (June 8th) by undertaking;

educational activities (reading/writing and creating art) about the beauty of our planet, become aware about the threats of pollution and global warming, and share ideas/solutions for a cleaner earth.
to learn and
encourage/cooperate in cleaning our neighborhoods/parks by picking up plastic, metals and other harmful trash to the environment. I plan to on April 21, 2018. Join me and others. Call or email me and/or look for announcements.

I have also created ENL (English as a new language) lessons, drawing/reading booklets, on-line presentations, and an ocean quiz. If you want hard copies, let me know. This quiz can be used with students from 3rd grade to 12 grade. I also have lessons and drawing booklets for lower grades, from grades K-2. And sample letters that can be mailed to political/town/city/county leaders. If you’d like copies I’ll be glad to share them with you. to teach your students, or your family and friends. You can view the ocean quiz in my blog Dolce-Amaro, by logging on to:
http://ottaviolopiccolo.blogspot.com/2018/04/students-ocean-pollution-quiz-contest.html

I will leave copies of my lessons and other lessons/support materials in the school lounges where I work at Middleburgh Elem/HS, Sharon Springs, Jefferson Elem & and Schalmont HS (all in NY State).

To request hard copies of this resource booklet and other lessons that have created (you'll have to pay for printing/shipping), in addition to an ocean quiz on the oceans,
contact me at: ottaviolopiccolo5@gmail.com or call me at home: 518-370-4476
Donations to cover printing/shipping will be required/appreciated. For colored hard copies of the 13 Essential Questions you'll have to pay for printing/shipping- about $5.

Donations to cover printing/shipping will be appreciated. Any donations I will receive, i will deposit them in a fund that I keep for may adult ENL students. I give an annual scholarship to one, or several promising students, in my adult ENL evening class at capital region BOCES, the CTE Campus, in Albany, NY. The name of the scholarship is: Cesar Chavez/ Mother Cabrini ESL Scholarship. In honor of these two Americans who helped US immigrants.

You’ll find some of them in this Blog, called DOLCE-AMARO, at ottaviolopiccolo@blogspot.com (Search with the word: ocean plastic pollution).

XV. What will it be? Will we Crucify Nature?
Or will we take good care of i?

Pollution. Acrylic painting/collage on canvas. (c) Ottavio Lo Piccolo.
I am an optimist; I have faith in God and in people’s goodness and decency. I believe, that once people are informed (about the condition of the world's oceans and our planet), they will act responsibly. Hence, I think that the vast majority of people will work diligently together to protect our planet.

So, I have reasons to hope that our society will not crucify nature once it discovers the truth!

I hope that you too, like millions of others around the world, will join us- those who care and want to protect the oceans and our planet! And will do it for our students and our children's future! But most of all let's do it out of love!

“Be the change you want to see in the world” - Ghandi

“Actions speak louder than words” - Popular saying

“From knowing comes caring, and from caring comes change” - From: A Plastic Ocean, documentary film

The P.O.P.E. (Protector Of Planet Earth) Promise:
I promise to do all I can, and be kind/compassionate to all living things- including humans!

I dedicate this resource packet to my uncle Toto’ Vitale, who passed away recently, 11-30-17 (at the age of 67). He was my mother’s brother, but was also like an older brother to me- small in stature- but a man with a big heart- compassionate and loving. Dear uncle, I love you and will miss you! And I will never forget you!

Google image.

Text and images are copyrighted by Ottavio Lo Piccolo (2017), unless as otherwise stated. Teachers are free to use- as they see fit- to teach/support this topic. People can share freely this post/and info., to inform others, however, the aim is not to change the message and/or to profit, but to inform, educate and motivate others to protect our planet earth from the threat of pollution and global warming.
THANK YOU for being kind to the earth and to all living things! Including me!! Us! And all others too!

1 comment:

URGENT LOAN OFFEROctober 14, 2018 at 6:05 AM
Hello Everybody,
My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of $250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of $250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

VITALITY - A blog by Ottavio Lo Piccolo

Saturday, December 9, 2017

IV. 10 Things You’re Not Doing (But Should) To Help The Ocean

V. Watch educational/informative (short) videos

VIII. NATURE MOVIES... for EARTH/OCEAN Day lessons

IV. "10 Things You’re Not Doing (But Should) To Help The Ocean

V. Watch educational/informative (short) videos; (:Note, to view the videos, click on the link. However, if that doesn't work, copy and paste the link in your address browser and press enter:)

VIII. NATURE MOVIES... for EARTH/OCEAN Day lessons

IX. MY ENL (English as a New language) LESSONS on the OCEANS; to educate all students; on the benefits of the ocean, how we are polluting it, and what we can do to protect it.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/26/180bn-investment-in-plastic-factories-feeds-global-packaging-binge?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

1 comment: