Team Seas is aiming to raise $30 million by the end of the year to help reduce plastic waste in the ocean. For very $1 donated, one pound of plastic will be removed from the sea, beaches and rivers. So raising $30 million will mean 30 million pounds (15 thousand tons) less plastic in the sea.
This initiative was set up by You Tubers Mark Rober and MrBeast and the money will be split between The Ocean Cleanup and Ocean Conservancy. The details, including how to donate are on the Team Seas website: https://teamseas.org/
I used to be a marine biologist, before I became a writer, so this is a subject close to my heart. Plastic can take a really long time to break down and, floating around in the ocean, animals can become entangled in it or they can eat it by mistake. Also, plastic can adsorb pollutants, making it even more toxic if ingested. Plastic has been found in the stomachs of many species of marine birds, turtles, whales, dolphins and fish. Eight years ago, I published scientific research showing that microplastic ingested by mussels can be transferred to crabs who ate the mussels and that the microplastic can stay within the crabs' bodies for over three weeks.
There are numerous organisations making great progress on reducing plastic in the ocean. There are initiatives which remove plastic from the sea, from beaches and from rivers, as well as reducing the sources of plastic pollution. Less single use plastic and proper waste management facilities can help.
Team Seas will work with the Ocean Conservancy to organise beach clean ups around the world, building on work they have been doing for the past 30 years, as well as collecting lost, abandoned and discarded fishing gear. Working with the Ocean Cleanup, plastic floating down rivers will be collected by a specialist barge. Research has shown that 1% of rivers account for nearly 80% of plastic waste flowing from rivers, so these will be targeted first.
How you can help
Donate to the Team Seas campaign: https://teamseas.org/ Even just $1 (£0.74) will make a difference. Also like, share, talk about, promote the Team Seas campaign.
Join a local beach clean or litter picking event, for example the Marine Conservation Society's beach cleans.
Consider how you can reduce the use of plastic in your life. There's some ideas from the Plastic Free July challenge.
I don't normally do these sorts of promotions but, as I said, this one's close to my heart. The ocean is an incredible, awe inspiring place which deserves our care and respect.
