Proving once again that every man-made problem on Earth can be solved through appropriate resource allocation, which is only hindered by those hoarding the wealth, and those in our governments whom they pay to protect their wealth from practical use.
this post was submitted on 17 Sep 2024
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"The Ocean Cleanup" is a great effort and I support their mission wholeheartedly. BUT looking at the bigger picture; it seems completely asinine to fish garbage put of the ocean and call that the solution to pollution, instead of preventing it from getting there in the first place. This is not meant as a criticism of "The Ocean Cleanup", but of global society in general. One minute you see them removing the Pacific garbage patch and the next you see whole rivers covered in plastic waste flowing out into the ocean from certain countries.
Climate is a thing where no matter how big your solution is, it's only part of a larger solution-cluster.
We need it all, and then the rest of it, too.
Yeah. All product packaging should be paper based.
There are similar groups with near identical solutions for tackling "problem" River that are some of the worst offenders of plastic pollution.
Ultimately there is still a problem in the ocean, and to some extent, it is inevitable until we have a realistic solution for plastics.
your reply is classic
miss the forest for the trees
How in the heck do you mean? I'm happy for the accomplishment. It's excellent work. I'm just angry that said work is necessary in the first place.
I would not have had the opinion that you are happy about the solution. Your reply is basically "not appreciate a larger situation, problem, etc., because one is considering only a few parts of it" (the origin). We cannot fix the reason the problem is there. IT IS. Fixing the problem is the only reality and now that is within reach. Complaining about the origin is missing the point.
If I can add to the discussion here. Problem is the the solution isn't a solution. Heck the headline is a lie because the first sentence is "If the project raises 7.5 billion dollars". The article makes people feel like the problem is solved already but it's not. And to say that we cannot fix the origin of the problem is just not true. To think so is to actually miss the point of the project which is that monumental problems CAN be solved, but cleaning the patch isn't done and it won't be the end of the challenge.
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Who said it was a solution?
No one specifically, but in a lot of cases it feels like certain interest groups, tout projects like this as the be all and end all of solving the issue. I just fear for a sentiment where people go: "Look at what "The Ocean Cleanup" is doing! We don't need to abolish single use plastics. Any that end up in the environment is simply picked up!" That is of course a bit of a caricature, but at this point my trust in humanity as a whole, is not very high...
The kind of people who care about plastic at all don't seem the type to say "oh well we can clean it up go wild boys"
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They are doing similar tryouts in Big Rivers now too. But that's a lot harder than cleaning what's already stagnant.
The sheer force of the water and waste is difficult to hold in place with nets. But they're definitely working on it.
I trust programs like this and admire the work. It's a good thing for life in general to get rid of that shit. It's just abysmal that companies still use so much plastic for everything.
No doubt it's good work, but the plastic shouldn't get in there in the first place. That was my only point.
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The majority of the great Pacific garbage patch material - over 75% of it - comes from fishing and aquaculture activities. I'm sure some of it is accidents or storm related, but I also have a strong suspicion that a good percentage of it is from China's ghost fishing fleets - the ones they deny exist, that over-fish and poach other countries' waters, and that cut loose their nets and pretend innocence if approached.
[...] the next you see whole rivers covered in plastic waste flowing out into the ocean from certain countries.
Which is why they're working on exactly that
Same issue though; it shouldn't end up in the rivers either. The rivers were just an example in relation to the ocean patches specifically. Plastics shouldn't end up in the environment at all. Catching it a step earlier, is still treating the symptom instead of the cause.
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