In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin is joined by Bonnie Monteleone, the executive director of the Plastic Ocean Project. They discuss the fight against plastic pollution in the ocean and explore the innovative methods used by Bonnie's organization. They delve into the chemistry and makeup of plastics, as well as the importance of working with businesses to promote sustainability.

Tune in to learn more about the inspiring efforts to combat plastic pollution and protect our oceans.

Plastic Ocean Project Website: https://www.plasticoceanproject.org/

How do we stop plastic pollution from getting into the Ocean? Is banning single-use plastic the way to go, or do we make the manufacturers bare the responsibility or both?

Link to article: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/plastic-problem-recycling-myth-big-oil-950957/

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Educating the public on how to change their behaviour from using single-use plastics to using more sustainable alternatives is the key to reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in the Ocean. 

We keep seeing articles about people trying to clean up the Oceans. There are even companies that are built off of this premise; however, cleaning the Ocean is our last ditch effort and does not mean the Oceans will ever be clean from plastic. We need to stop plastics from getting into the Ocean by refusing single-use plastic. The best way to do this is to focus on educating the public and change their behaviour. 

Link To Article:

https://www.euronews.com/2019/11/15/when-it-comes-to-cleaning-up-the-oceans-technology-may-be-good-but-education-is-even-bette

Have you ever convinced anyone to stop using single-use plastic? Let me know in the Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group.

Check out the new Speak Up For The Ocean Blue Podcast App: http://www.speakupforblue.com/app.

Speak Up For Blue Instagram

Speak Up For Blue Twitter

Check out the Shows on the Speak Up For Blue Network:

Marine Conservation Happy Hour
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k4ZB3x
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2kkEElk

ConCiencia Azul:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k6XPio
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k4ZMMf

Dugongs & Seadragons:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lB9Blv
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lV6THt

Environmental Studies & Sciences
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lx86oh
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lG8LUh

Marine Mammal Science:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2k5pTCI
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k1YyRL

There are projects that are happening all over the world with the purpose of trying to either clean up the Ocean of plastic pollution or prevent it from getting into the Ocean.

The Ocean Clean Up Projects Hits Another Snag

The 2000-foot Ocean Clean Up device has broken up into two sections in the Pacific Ocean Gyre. A 60-foot section broke off at one end of the large device in the rough weather in the area. This is the second reported setback the Ocean Clean Up Project has publicly reported. The device will be brought back to port to get fixed before it goes back out.

The Project predicted the device would clean up 50 tons of plastic per year until the 80,000 tons of plastic in the Gyre was cleaned up. According to Boyant Slat, the CEO, the device collected 4,400 lbs of debris since arriving at the Gyre. 

Man Assaults Woman After Asking For a Straw At McDonald's

A viral video of a man grabbing a female McDonald's employee in St. Petersburg, Florida is making its rounds on the web. The man reportedly got mad after asking for a plastic straw. McDonald's new policy is to keep the plastic straws behind the counter in an effort to reduce the amount of straws used at their locations. 

It is not apparent whether the man was mad specifically about the straws or with something else. 

The woman defended herself by striking the man repeatedly until the man let go of her. He is now being charged with assault. The employee is not being charged at this time and is being praised online for defending herself so well.

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Dr. Edward Hind-Ozan joins me on this episode for his segment called "What's Happening In Marine Social Science This Week?" 

This week's topic looks at the intersection between Marine Biology and Marine Social Science. We discuss a study where researchers studies the effects of toxins from microplastics on periwinkles and their inability to hide from predators. Ed highlights the fact that the study shows the importance of understanding marine biology to realize the conflict humans are having on the Ocean.

Listen to the podcast for more details and while Marine Biology and Marine Social Science need to crosspaths more.

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The Canadian Government recently launched a Zero Plastic Waste Strategy, which means they are retooling the way Canada will use plastic. Their goal will be to reduce plastic use by 30% by 2030 and 50% by 2040. 

Take a listen to find out how they are going to accomplish this goal.

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As if plastic pollution in the ocean wasn't bad enough, now researchers have revealed that as plastics degrade in the light (photo-degradation), they emit greenhouse gases. 

Researchers at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa published an article in PLOS One recently were they tested how gases were released as different forms of plastics degraded in saltwater.

Surface area increased as the plastics were degraded increasing the amount of gasses that were introduced to the atmosphere. 

Plastics were created 70 years ago and researchers predict that production will double over the next 2 decades. We need to engage with plastic manufacturers to decrease the amount of plastics that are used in current products. 

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There is a huge movement to ban plastic straws in cities across North America and other places in the world; however, some people have been pointing out that it will not save the Ocean. 

An article was recently published in the National Post (a Canadian Newspaper) that pointed out a number of reasons why the straw ban will not protect the Ocean as there are other problems with Ocean Plastic Pollution that we know are a bigger problem for the Ocean (waste management in different parts of the world and ghost fishing nets). 

In this episode, I let you know that I agree with some of the article, but I also feel strongly that we need the plastic straw bans on the world to make people think about how we use plastic. 

I also feel we need to rephrase how we propose the plastic straw ban. 

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I would love to hear your opinion on this episode. Join the Facebook Group to chime in.

Do you know we launched more Ocean Related Podcasts?

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Plastic Pollution in the Ocean inspired my guest, Claire Hughes, to clean up beaches on Grand Cayman Island and start a movement. Claire is a teacher and mother who is done with plastic pollution and is helping raise awareness of the ill effects plastic has on our society.

Claire is a great example of how the ocean can inspire people to do great things!!!

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