www.theoceancleanup.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch/. Accessed 3 June. 2019.
The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization whose goal is to remove all plastic waste from the oceans in order to protect marine life and humans. The organization is run by 80+ engineers, scientists, and researchers who are passionate to ensure that the future of the oceans is plastic free. There are two pages on this site that information will be taken from to integrate into my final research paper. The first is the page that speaks specifically about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). The most useful information found on this page are the detailed descriptions of the size and location of the GPGP as well as the impacts marine pollution has on sea life, human life, and society. One specific quote that will be included in the final research paper goes as follows: “The GPGP covers an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers, an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France” (“What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?”). This material is important to include as it states the expanse of the plastic pollution problem. The introduction of the final research paper will speak about the dangers of ocean pollution and why it is an important issue to solve, making information such as this extremely relevant.
Information taken from their page describing the technology the organization uses to clean up the oceans will be included as well. Specifically, the technology itself and how it has little to no negative effects on marine life will be thoroughly discussed. A diagram of the technology may also be included along with the following facts: the technology is energy neutral, its design prevents marine life from getting entangled or injured, and there is a satellite system that allows for the team to locate the ocean cleanup equipment (“Technology: How it Works”). As my research topic considers ways to sustainably remove the plastic waste from the oceans, this information is incredibly relevant as it is a well researched, working solution. I would like to use the data found on this page to evaluate the solution to this problem and support my reasons to believe that this topic can be tackled swiftly. This source as a whole is beneficial to the development of my final research paper as it includes a wide range of statistical evidence, scientific research, diagrams, and visual explanations that can all be cited.
Denchak, Melissa. “Ocean Pollution: The Dirty Facts.” NRDC, 17 Jan. 2019,
www.nrdc.org/stories/ocean-pollution-dirty-facts. Accessed 9 June. 2019.
Within this article, four of the leading reasons the health of the oceans is in jeopardy are discussed. The introduction of this article speaks about the oceans themselves and what they do for the planet. I would like to include some of this information in my research paper when I plan to explain the benefits of protecting the oceans. One quote I plan to cite goes as follows: “They govern the weather, clean the air, help feed the world, and provide a living for millions. They also are home to most of the life on earth…” (“Ocean Pollution: The Dirty Facts”). Including this quotation will help to support my desire to clean the oceans, clarifying their importance to global health. This article discusses noise pollution along with physical waste pollution. Noise pollution is another form of damage the oceans must deal with due to human irresponsibility. I would like to include information about this when discussing the solution to this topic. By referencing this, it is clear that I am well informed on this topic and am aware that to remove ocean pollution sustainably, certain technology like a large fleet of boats could not be used as they not only consume tons of fossil fuels but would further threaten marine life with another form of pollution. The inclusion of this source would offer me more credibility when speaking about this topic and when discussing how the solution I will reach is efficient and possible.
National Geographic Society. “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” National Geographic Society, 9
Oct. 2012, www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/. Accessed 9 June. 2019.
This article by National Geographic focuses on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. As my research was always geared to investigate this large expanse of floating waste, this article’s inclusion as a source is necessary. Throughout this article, the kinds of plastics in the GPGP and their origins are discussed. The effects of ocean pollution are broken down using specific examples of products and the animals they harm. This article also speaks about how plastic pollution in the ocean is the most harmful as it is not a biodegradable substance but instead breaks down into thousands of tinier parts. Here is a specific quote I would like to include: “...plastic goods do not biodegrade but instead break down into smaller pieces. In the ocean, the sun breaks down these plastics into tinier and tinier pieces, a process known as photodegradation” (“Great Pacific Garbage Patch”). Citing this piece of evidence is useful when discussing the harm of pollution in the ocean and the significance of removing the floating waste. This pollution is not an issue that nature can solve on its own, but one in which humans must intervene. I would also like to mention that the GPGP is far out at sea in international waters, preventing any country from taking responsibility. Including this bit of information provides more reasons as to why communities should come together and work to unravel this problem. This source is extremely relevant to my research as it gives more reasons as to why this issue is so grand and demanding of an immediate resolution. National Geographic is a highly accredited source for scientific and environmental issues, offering me more credibility by citing this source in my research paper.
Greenstein, June. “Upcycled Ocean Plastic.” Upcycled Ocean Plastic, 9 May 2018,
ocean.si.edu/conservation/pollution/upcycled-ocean-plastic. Accessed 4 June. 2019.
The solution to my research topic is to remove the pollution from the ocean with energy efficient technology and utilize the gathered plastics to create brand new sustainable products. This article talks about several kinds of products that have been made using upcycled plastic from the oceans. Companies included have made sunglasses, running shoes, carpets, soap bottles, skateboards, and clothing lines all with upcycled plastics. By integrating this information in my research paper, I am able to conclude that my solution is one that is full-proof. It is not a brand new solution but one that has worked in the past and continues to work that has not yet been done on a large scale. Reviewing the range of products made from plastic can also help me think of other companies who would be able to make an effort to use upcycled plastics in their products. This article is relevant to my research because it directly correlates to the solution I am aiming to reach. By providing evidence of several companies practicing the solution, I am able to support my reasons for reaching that ultimatum and am able to prove that it is one that works.
Baral, Susmita. “You Can't Just ‘Clean Up’ the Plastic in the Ocean. Here's Why.” Teen Vogue,
Teen Vogue, 23 Dec. 2018, www.teenvogue.com/story/you-cant-just-clean-up-the-plastic-in-the-ocean. Accessed 11 June. 2019.
Within this article published by Teen Vogue, the plastic pollution issue is discussed along with The Ocean Cleanup’s technology that is meant to remove much of this waste from the oceans. Although most of the information in this article is relevant to my topic, much of it has been reiterated from other sources. The most important points that I did not gather elsewhere are the other ways in which individuals can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in the oceans. Specifically, I would like to discuss how consumers can ask corporations to begin incorporating fewer plastics in their products. I would like to include this quote as an example of what corporations could begin doing in the near future: “A PepsiCo spokesperson told Teen Vogue the company is ‘committed to achieving 100% recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable packaging by 2025’ and strives to ‘use 25% recycled plastic content in [their] plastic packaging by that same year’” (“You Can’t Just ‘Clean Up’ the Plastic in the Ocean. Here’s Why”). As I would like to discuss alternative options when considering my solution, this quote is relevant to cite in my research paper. I would also like to discuss how doing large, consistent beach cleanups can help minimize the pollution in the oceans since most of the waste enters from coastlines, so cleaning them could prevent this. The usefulness of this source is to consider alternative solutions to the main one I have found in order to showcase just how in depth my research process has been.
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