Section outline

  • EXPLORE / TŪHURA

    EXPLORE / TŪHURA learning intentions:

    • We are EXPLORING to analyse the causes and consequences of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
    • We are EXPLORING to critically consider New Zealand's role and responsibility in contributing to solutions
    • We are EXPLORING informed perspectives on sustainable practices to reduce plastic pollution.


    Great Pacific Garbage Patch


    Most people think of the Pacific Islands as an island getaway, however, floating out in the Pacific Ocean is an environmental disaster. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch GPGP. is a collection of debris in the North Pacific Ocean.


    What is GPGP?

    It has been created by the natural and tidal movement of the oceans and the vortex created has produced perfect conditions to collect the rubbish in an area. Once rubbish has entered the GPGP it is likely to never leave - the debris includes but is not limited to plastic, fishing gear, shoes and microplastic.


    Ghost Fishing

    An estimated 705 000 tons of fishing nets are floating in the GPGP - this is known as ghost fishing. An estimated 54% of these nets come from North America and Asia and 20% from boats, cargo ships and offshore oil rigs.

    There are an estimated 80 000 tonnes of rubbish in the GPGP - this is equivalent to 500 Jumbo Jets There are an estimated 250 pieces of rubbish for every human on the planet in the GPGP.

    The Eastern Garbage Patch

    The Eastern Garbage Patch is located off the coast of the USA in the area between California and Hawaii. It is estimated to be 1.6 million km? - about three times the size of France. Not all of the debris is floating on the surface - in some places it can be several metres below the surface. It was discovered by Charles Moore in 1997 when he was competing in a yacht race. Moore has been back numerous times over the years and is actively involved with Algalita Marine Research and Education, who in 1999 focused on reducing plastic use and protecting the oceans.

    When Moore went back in 2014, he estimated that the problem was 100 times worse and now plastic features or 'islands' up to 15 metres in length are floating in the space.


    Plastics

    The mass production and use of plastic occurred for the first time in the 1950s. Plastic is relatively cheap to make, it is malleable - so you can shape it easily - and it's durable. 

    Plastic is not biodegradable but can be broken down into smaller and smaller pieces in a process known as photodegradation.

    Marine life is greatly affected by the GPGP. Marine animals that enter the GPGP are lucky to escape alive.


    Rubbish
    The rubbish is also blocking the sunlight that plankton requires to produce its own nutrients, resulting in an important food source for many sea life being destroyed. The plastic also leaches harmful pollutants into the water which are absorbed by the marine life living there.





    ASSESSMENT

    One of the issues that is being faced by the people and groups trying to clean up the mess, is that countries are not prepared to take responsibility for the problem and are not willing to help with the solution.

    "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not"

    - Dr Seuss (The Lorax)

    There are some people and groups who are making the commitment to clean up the mess that has been created. 


    Your task is to create a Powtoon / Animation that can be used in campaigns raising awareness of the issue. Include the following in the brochure.

    a. Who are they? Where are they from? How old are they? etc.

    b. How did they get involved in cleaning up the GPGP?

    c. What actions have they taken or are taking to try to solve the issue?

    d. What can people do to support their campaign?

    e. What difficulties are they facing?

    F. Give one quote from them that sums up their actions or beliefs.