When the next generation inherits this world from us, how will we explain to them that we allowed around nine billion tons of plastic to reach our oceans each year? Will we feel confident that we did enough to help combat this problem and create a more sustainable world? The Ocean Cleanup team is making extraordinary progress to help reverse the damage and giving us all the opportunity to directly help their team while also showcasing our support in hopes to spark more significant action.
The Ocean Cleanup team has set an ambitious goal to clean up 90% of ocean plastic pollution. The ocean covers 71% of the Earth's surface and holds over 1.3 billion cubic km of water. Using conventional methods such as vessels and nets to clean over an estimated 5 trillion pieces of plastic would take thousands of years and billions of dollars to complete. The majority of this trash accumulates in five major garbage patches. If left to circulate in these currents, the plastic will have an unprecedented impact on our ecosystems, health, and economies.
The best example that demonstrates the clustering of plastic waste in our oceans is The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), which is located in the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii. It's estimated that 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. This area has been the first focal point for the Ocean Cleanup Team for research and development of new advanced technology.
Their team has now created passive systems that are estimated to remove 50% of the GPGP in just five years and at a fraction of the cost initially estimated. Their cleanup systems rely on natural forces to navigate and collect plastic waste. As the wind, waves, and current carries both the plastic and the cleaning system, they have begun gathering tons of plastic from the GPGP.
After years of research and testing, The Ocean Cleanup team is ready to put the first bundle of verified plastic caught from the GPGP to good use. The next step is to create extraordinary products that will empower activists, generate more awareness, and spark considerable progress. The proceeds from each product will go directly to the continuation of the cleanup. The first product has been shrouded in secrecy. Those who pre-order now will get a front-row seat to exclusive content that allows you to follow the plastic from the ocean to land and eventually to your own hands.
We have chosen to act and precisely support the Ocean Cleanup team responsible for creating these new products. We hope that our donation will lead to more support and will help send a message to everyone who purchases a product - that you took action to help clean our oceans.
