In a world fatigued by human rights injustice, wealth disparity (poverty), and environmental destruction overload, our generation needs a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration showing that positive forward action is possible, amongst all the perceived apathy.
In 2013, dutch inventor Boyan Slat founded The Ocean Cleanup at the age of 18 in his hometown of Delft, the Netherlands.
If you haven’t yet heard about The Ocean Cleanup foundation, we provide a little introduction here.
The Ocean Cleanup’s team consists of more than 70 engineers, researchers, scientists and computational modelers working daily to rid the world’s oceans of plastic.
The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization, developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic.
By utilizing the ocean currents to our advantage, our passive drifting systems are estimated to clean up half the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 5 years’ time.
In our lifetime there has been no project of this scale in physical size or ambition, which will potentially turn the tide (pun intended) of environmental damage done to our planet.
It’s heavy to think that we’ve been conditioned to be so out of touch with our planet, that a large portion of our population feel unmoved by the fact that the plastic garbage patch we have all been instrumental in creating, has grown to the equivalent of THREE TIMES THE SIZE OF FRANCE! and threatens to overload the singular source of life on our planet, the ocean.
You don’t have to be a ‘greenie’ or even an environmentalist to see that the contamination breaking point of the ocean is going to affect all lives here on earth, now and into the future.
With Earth Overshoot day, the date on which humanity’s resource consumption for the year exceeds Earth’s capacity to regenerate those resources each year, creeping forward consistently, there are too many warning signs to ignore.
Thankfully, it appears concern for the environment is growing with Baby-boomers and Gen X showing increased concern and importantly action, and 59% of Millennial ranking themselves as the most environmentally conscientious generation.
Baby Boomer, Gen X & Millennial perceptions of their commitment to the environment compared to other generations – MIT AGELAB
All it takes is small, significant action
During plastic-free July I launched a mini-initiative in the office where I work aimed at refilling water bottles and glasses instead of consuming single-use bottles. For most people there, where free bottled water is offered, it was a huge shift in thinking but the small alteration in behaviour saved a surprising number of bottles and gave us all the feeling of having made a positive impact, and raised a little money for the Ocean cleanup.
Neeli Kroes on The Ocean Cleanup
It’s surprising how effective any small action e.g. Take 3 For the Sea, can leave you with a sense of unburdening, relief and positivity for the future.
This is why I liken the Ocean cleanup’s launch day to the “moon landing of our time”, as a momentous achievement for humankind. A statement that we will not give in to a sense of hopelessness that the environment’s “just plain ‘effed”, but that by embracing and whole-heartedly participating in the momentum of a collaborative project, we are making steps towards a healthier environment and better future for us all.
Chris Hadfield on The Ocean Cleanup
To watch the launch on September 8 or make a contribution to the project (this feels amazing, trust me) visit www.theoceancleanup.com
Our sincere thanks and Bon Voyage to Boyan, his team, and everyone supporting this revolutionary initiative.
Sophie & the team at Ethical Fashion Review™
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