Example Presentation

Article Evaluation 1

By Laura Schmidt

EPA Asked to Set National Marine Plastic Debris Standard

August 23, 2012

Environmental New Service

ENS Website

Summary

• Garbage is making it’s way to the Pacific Ocean

• The North Pacific Gyre is a current that keeps this garbage trapped in the ocean

• The majority of this garbage is plastic.

• Sea Animals are eating the plastic & dying

• The garbage patch is growing

http://ens-newswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/20120823_plasticbagcoral.jpg

The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) & The Hawai'i Wildlife Fund conduct marine debris cleanups on Hawai'i Island, Kaho'olawe and Maui. We quite commonly find plastics and other materials that have been bitten by sharks and probably other animals. I invented the word "sharkastic" as a fun, educational term to teach people about the dangers of marine animals consuming poisonous plastics. I'm trying to unite people who are interested in this topic, so please visit http://sharkastics.org for more info.

quantitative

of or pertaining to the describing or measuring of quantity.

Vocabulary Word 1

Entanglement

something that snares

Vocabulary Word 2

monofilament

a single, generally large filament of synthetic fiber

Vocabulary Word 3

Fact / Opinion 1

• “Plastics are an everyday convenience for us but a daily death sentence for seabirds, seals, sea turtles and hundreds of other ocean species,” said Emily Jeffers, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity

OPINION

In creating these images, Photographer Chris Jordan explains that he did not move a single piece of plastic. Photos of the chicks document the actual stomach contents of birds living in "one of the world's most remote marine sanctuaries, more than 2000 miles from the nearest continent."

http://animal.discovery.com/birds/ocean-gyre-birds/albatross-ocean-gyre-birds-pictures-15.html

Fact / Opinion 2

• Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a mass of debris that spreads across 276,263 square miles, an area larger than the state of Texas.

OPINION

The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) Ocean Resources Management Program has been flying monthly aerial surveys that circumnavigate the island of Kaho'olawe, HI since 2003. We document everything we can spot from ~100ft elevation, and I'm particularly interested in marine debris interactions... This is probably a green sea turtle but I can't confirm that. http://kahoolawe.hawaii.gov

http://aquascapeconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Turtle_Marine_Debris.png

http://coastalcare.org/2009/11/plastic-pollution/

Fact / Opinion 3

• 40 percent of the world’s oceans are covered in giant, swirling convergences of garbage, including billions of pounds of plastic

FACT

Fact / Opinion 4

• deadly consequences for at least 267 marine species, including endangered animals like Pacific loggerhead turtles, Steller sea lions and Hawaiian monk seals

FACT

Marine debris found in the gastrointestinal content of a juvenile green turtle accidentally captured in Bahía Samborombón, Argentina.

50% of the turtle was just plastic. Green turtle Uruguay

Stomach of a juvenile green sea turtle filled with plastic. Found during a necropsy.

Fact / Opinion 5

• Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year

FACT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Marine_debris_on_Hawaiian_coast.jpg

The Marine Conservancy has published that the estimated decomposition rates of most plastic debris found on coasts are:

Foamed plastic cups: 50 years Plastic beverage holder: 400 years

Disposable diapers: 450 yearsPlastic bottle: 450 yearsFishing line: 600 years

http://coastalcare.org/2009/11/plastic-pollution/

What does Schmidt think?

This problem is DISGUSTING!!!WE are to blame!!!We have to……………………….• REDUCE OUR USE of plastic• PREVENT plastic from being litter or

ending up in the waterways• RECYCLE the plastic you do use• VOLUNTEER in clean-up efforts

New plastic bottle made from 100% recovered plastic from the garbage patch.

http://coastalcare.org/2009/11/plastic-pollution/

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELFTO PREVENT THIS?

Discussion Questions

1. Why should we care, because it is out of sight, out of mind?

2. Predict what you think will happen in 20 years if this problem continues to get worse.

3. What are you willing to COMMIT to change about yourself and your daily habits?