Imagine an Island…
… of garbage, twice the size of Texas, floating in the Pacific Ocean somewhere between the Hawaiian Islands and Northern California. Hard to imagine? Not really. The island of trash is being held together by a slowly rotating system of currents and mats of floating seaweed and kelp. Charles Moore, founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation in CA, estimates that there is about 3 million tons of plastic floating in this mass, not to mention the millions of tons of other debris. The plastic will eventually sink, where it will then become part of the 46,000 pieces of garbage estimated for every square mile of ocean.
According to statistics, well over 80% of the trash in the oceans is brought there from our storm drains and run-off from our polluted streets, streams and rivers. You carelessly throw a gum wrapper, baby diaper, plastic bottle or even oil on the ground and where does it go? It gets into our water ways via storm drains, down to creeks, into the rivers and finally spilling into our oceans. People are so quick to point fingers, but who is really to blame?
What can you do? Stay educated about the environment and your effect on it. Get involved with clean-ups or do one of your own in your own neighborhood. Know what watershed you’re in and the health of that area. Recycle and use designated trash cans, and encourage that behavior in your day to day life.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Please join us behind the Alexandria MOMs!!!
Four Mile Run Stream Clean-up
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission is excited to announce a stream clean-up day on Four Mile Run as part of a celebration of 2007’s National River Clean-up Week. This effort will be sponsored by the Four Mile Run Restoration Project Joint Task Force and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment.
Additional details follow:
WHEN: June 9, 2007 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
WHERE: Four Mile Run Park near the intersection of S. Glebe Rd. and Mt. Vernon Ave.
After you turn onto Mt. Vernon Ave from Glebe Rd, cross the bridge over Four Mile Run and there is a small parking lot on the left as you drive down Mt. Vernon Ave. Meet in this parking lot.
WHO TO CONTACT: For more information, please contact Neal Sigmon at NealSigmon@aol.com
WHAT TO BRING: Lots of energy and passion for cleaning up Four Mile Run – Snacks, water, and trash bags will be provided.
We look forward to seeing you on June 9th.