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We are constantly bombarded with horrific headlines of the human reign of terror on the earth and how we are destroying the environment. I’m not neglecting that, but I think sometimes, for inspiration sake, it's good for us to see success stories - the good in the world. Let's talk about optimistic progress for once. Let's talk about the future.
Everyone knows that climate change is present and that it's a problem whether you are an involved environmental activist, always put your cups in recycling bins or even bring your own cup to get bubble tea. I won’t bore you all with the causes of environmental degradation and shocking facts that you’ll forget by tomorrow other than the one that is relevant to my article. The facts today are that over 85% of plastic produced isn’t recycled and much of it ends up in the oceans.
However, the way articles run on this site is solution based - you present a problem and propose a solution. However, today in this article I put forth that the problem here is that there have been so many forthcoming solutions and the big problem is that people don't know about them and the advancements that are being made.
Something I’ve seen arise recently is the outrage from the public in the US at Starbucks after they changed their plastic lids so that they don't require a straw. Some Starbucks locations even sell plastic reusable lids for their drinks and customers are encouraged to keep metal straws in their car so they don't have to use the straws and then just throw them away. There have been countless of other campaigns on reducing plastic consumption, but the arguments I always see arise are ones that follows the lines of, why do we have to make small changes? Why shouldn't companies who produce vast waste have to change first? There's no doubt it would make a massive difference, but protesting against it is a long term, ongoing struggle. So, in the meantime we need to change what we can. Sure, massive corporations are pumping harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, but at least we are protecting what we can.
One common problem is the effect that the plastic that holds a six pack of beer together on larger fish species and turtles. One solution to this would be recycling the rings, but unfortunately, the extent of which people recycle these items isn't enough. We need to avoid using them all together and replace it with something more eco-friendly.
One solution to this that we’ve seen in the world recently is from the popular beer company founded in Mexico, Corona. Recently they've teamed up with Parley, a network that raises ocean protection awareness. With Corona's passion to preserve the beaches that their product grew to success in, they created a product that uses the innovation to avoid plastic, intercept waste, clean up and to redesign materials and products to replace the harmful ones.
“The first global beer brand to trial 100% plastic free six pack rings”. They've started the six pack ring revolution. By using rings made from plant based biodegradable fibres, by-product waste and compostable materials, they've created a new material to use for the six pack rings. If left in the environment, they break down into organic matter that isn't harmful to wildlife or that leaks chemical waste into the oceans.
They've also pledged to protect 100 islands from environmental collapse by 2020, islands around Australia, the Maldives, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Italy. By holding ocean lessons, beach clean ups, opening discussions and creating new ways to recycle plastic for products they are helping small communities and beautiful destinations that are drowning in pollution. The plan launches in the beginning of 2019 in Mexico but plans to be brought into the UK after that.
An awful problem has been presented with an amazingly innovative solution, as reducing plastic consumption does not cut back on the economy and livelihoods, dependant on the six pack production line.
This move has urged other companies to follow along! Florida’s Saltwater Brewery have gained lots of social media attention for working on a product that there are trifling, “edible six pack rings” Made by biodegradable sugarcane packaging, made from materials like the barley and wheat thats leftover from the brewing process, altogether minimising waste to every degree.
Fortunately, there is more.
The Ocean Cleanup, a worldwide project five years in the running finally began for the first trial months a couple of weeks ago off the coast of San Francisco. $20 million US dollars later, a large netting system is designed to clean up 1.8 trillion pieces of trash that floats around and on it's way to the great pacific garbage patch.
Additionally there are other projects smaller teams are doing such as SeaVax, a specially designed ship that clears up debris, the ship is solar and wind powered so that it doesn't spill any oil, making the problem worse.
So yes, the state of the ocean is horrendous. Coral bleaching, ocean acidification, eroding biodiversity, biomagnification, oil spills and plastic pollution - its awful. But fear tactics in the news and a constant flow of negative information is making people feel hopeless when talking about healing the ocean, they feel trapped, that it's an impossible job, that the ocean is ruined so what does it matter if I pollute it. I guess the lesson is, we need to stay aware of the humanitarian advancements for the environment to understand that there are projects you can support, to collaborate with, instead of feeling burdened and powerless.