1.     The world’s oceans and our planet are in grave danger! They are being polluted with our single-use plastic trash, plastic packaging, and Styrofoam cups/containers and packaging. Single-use items are bags, bottles, silverware, cups, lids/caps, straws, dishes, food containers, etc. In addition, to plastic disposable items like cigarette lighters, razors, markers, and many more. 

2.     However, there are many other harmful products- in addition to plastic trash- that is devastating to the world’s oceans, here are some other major ones; discarded fishing nets, deflated balloons, pesticides, herbicides, toothpaste, cosmetics, sunscreens (that contain microbeads- tiny pieces of plastic), high level of CO2 emissions (pollution from fossil fuels; coal, oil and methane gas- used in auto vehicles/factories)- these are causing ocean acidification- the bleaching (or death)- of corrals. In addition to sewer waste, loaded with microbeads (tiny pieces/particles of plastic)-  which are found in; face scrubs, in women cosmetics and in toothpaste and some liquid soaps. Thank God the governments of Canada and the US have banned microbeads. The US ban will be effective this year, July 2019. However, many cities in China, India Indonesia, and Africa flush their sewer waste directly into rivers, which carry it to the oceans. Microplastics (tiny pieces of plastic, 1/5 of an inch) are also released from motor vehicle tires, which get washed to the oceans, by rain, and via the sewer system! And from electric clothes washers/driers when they are used to wash/dry synthetic clothes (made with polyester/plastic fibers)! Microplastic now is also in the air we breathe and the water we drink! In addition, overfishing has depleted marine life and so has seismic air gun blasting (noise pollution from oil exploration), and noise from Navy sonar- are also killing marine life. Radioactive waste, from nuclear reactors, has entered the food chain. Hot water from power plants and some factories, is dumped directly into rivers/streams- killing many marine animals because of sudden changes temperature. And finally, acid rain from air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

3.     The reason for all this plastic pollution is because we, in the USA and in many other countries, do not recycle enough. In fact, according to National Geographic and Green Peace’s only 9% of our plastic trash is recycled (in the USA). Most of it -79%- is accumulating in landfills or sitting in the natural environment. This means, that at some point, much of it ends up in the oceans. And if present trends continue, by 2050, there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic – that's a rubbish truck full every minute.

4.     Ocean plastic is estimated to kill millions of marine animals every year. Marine species, from zooplankton to whales, now eat microplastics (tiny pieces smaller than one-fifth of an inch across), which has broken down into smaller pieces, after years of floating in the ocean, and/or sitting in the environment. In addition, scientists estimate that anywhere from 1/4 to 1/3 of seafood has microplastic in it. And other sources tell us that 94% of all drinking water in the USA is polluted with plastic, and 70% of the world’s water contains plastic too!

5.     If you’re wondering how all of this trash gets to the ocean- the culprits- the causes- according to Ocean Conservancy, National Geographic and Greenpeace, are garbage dumps located near bodies of water, creeks, rivers, and lakes. Hence, the harmful chemicals released from plastic, as it sits in the soil, seep into the groundwater, and eventually reach the oceans. Much of this plastic trash is also transported to the seas by the wind, the sewer system, and water bodies.

6.     It is clear that one solution/way to reduce plastic pollution is to ban all single-use plastic and Styrofoam containers/packaging, and declare them both environmentally hazardous. If this is carried out by governments, then the whole business of plastic/Styrofoam production will be controlled/regulated (enforced with education, warnings, signs, fines and enforcement personnel/inspectors), so that this huge amount of trash can be better controlled, and prevented from reaching the environment- hence we would avoid the high level of contamination- the pollution of fresh water, the soil and of the oceans.

7.  While we wait for governments to act, there are other effective solutions reducing plastic and other waste, that can be applied. Charging fees/taxes for sigle-use items and CO2 emissions to industries- is one of them. In Ireland, plastic bag use fell to 90% after a tax of 37 cents/bag. In Los Angeles County, a plastic bag ban and a charge on paper bags reduced single bag use by 95%! Shoppers simply switched to reusable bags! Sweden made reasonable increases in deposit fees for bottles and cans (depending on their size), from 5 cents to 30 cents. This increased recycling/return rates to 97%! And finally, mandating recycling from all businesses (stores, retailers, restaurants, etc.) and all public entities/organizations (hospitals, prisons, schools, libraries, etc). Governments must invest in the circular economy and its infrastructure. The circular economy relies on recycling/reintroducing products into the economy- over and over again. This can be done by investing in state-of-the-art collecting/recycling systems with waste/recycling plants, trained personnel, and auto vehicles and other state-of the-art-technolgy for the collection of waste and recycling. This would help create sustainable/clean jobs and profits. Many European countries, including California, the 6th world economy, are already applying this model, and they are doing well.

8.     So, as consumers, we have a powerful positive effect- when we put into action the 7Rs, the following 7 environmental steps.

First, apply, the 4Rs (4 concrete steps at home, at work and everywhere 24/7) of; Reducing, Reusing, Refusing and/or boycott (stop purchasing/using) all kinds of Styrofoam cups/containers and single-use products, like plastic bags, bottles, cups, straws, stirrers, dental picks, swabs (aka q-tips). and last, but not least is Recycling.

Second, boycott products that are disposable, like cigarette lighters, markers, disposable razors, etc.- and replace these items with ones that are degradable- made from natural materials/fibers (paper, wood, food- as edible cutlery/silverware/dishes, etc). And switch to reusable products, as; reusable canvas and/or durable plastic bags, water fountains- instead of plastic bottles, wood matches, and metal razors instead of plastic disposable ones, natural shaving soaps (not spray ones), and electronic printers to make graphics (signs, posters, etc), instead of using felt tip plastic markers. Here are 5 new year’s resolutions, by Greenpeace UK, to future-proof your 2020 and ring in a green new decade: 1. Ditch single-use plastic. 2. Get behind not-so-fast fashion (buy clothes that last).  3. Eat mostly plant-based. 4. Travel by train along the scenic route. 5. Be less traffic (drive less, use bikes, public transport, walk, etc). To read the whole article visit: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/5-new-years-resolutions-future-proof-2020-green-new-decade/?fbclid=IwAR1r3dJmXqsjXHndQrmh_Un0VVh17c30cUGPWrm_fbu13UQKIdU8zExus7E

Third, we must educate our own families, our students and teach them the 3Rs (environmental behavior steps) of; Respect, Responsibility and Reaction (toward the protection of the Earth). Society needs to be encouraged and educated in avoiding products that harm the environment, and instead, purchase/use biodegradable/compostable (natural- made from plant fibers) and/or durable products- not disposable! This may be costly in the beginning, but it will eventually drive down prices, and it will help transform the economy to a circular/clean/sustainable one- an economy that will concentrate on reducing waste by recycling it, and by returning materials back into the economy, instead of dumping them into the environment. Not doing so it will certainly bring about the eventual destruction/degradation of the planet, which will be a lot more expensive! California and the European Union are prime examples of this new sustainable and profitable model! 

Fourth, communicate with local municipalities, and ask them to improve the waste collection/recycling system to reduce plastic pollution and other harmful waste from reaching the environment.

Fifth, contact political leaders at the municipal, county, state and federal government levels; and demand that they do all they can to make the plastic and food/beverage industry accountable. All governments must also accept responsibility and passing/enforcing regulations/laws, with the aim of educating the public (with campaigns in schools,  with the media, signs/posters, and environmental personnel/educators, inspectors/managers, and also with rewards/recognition, but also with penalties (fines/sanctions) when needed, etc. These actions will protect the planet from the threat of plastic/Styrofoam trash, and all other types of pollution that are mentioned above, which threaten our existence on planet Earth- our only home. 

Sixth, governments must mandate recycling, from all entities in society; individuals, families/households, to businesses (both public/private). Infact everyone should be responsible and mandated to recycle all plastic, and do it correctly; without contaminating it with food/liquids and trash, no unrecyclable items like straws, stirrers and no plastic bags and other unrecyclable items in single-stream recycling bins. And finally, those who contaminate the recycling should be sanctioned with warnings/fines.

Seventh, hold corporations accountable for the harmful waste they produce. The oil/plastic and food industry should be responsible too. They too must work to reduce their waste (not just increasing their profits), otherwise they should be forced to pay more taxes- depending on the level of harmful waste/pollution that they produce. Therefore, corporations/industries/businesses and public entities (schools, hospitals, prisons, gov't organizations/buildings, etc.), should share in the responsibility of controlling/recycling their waste, by paying a carbon/plastic/Styrofoam tax. Governments must support/regulate these industries, and reward those who are environmentally friendly; so that solutions and alternative products, that are not harmful to the environment and all living things, will be found. Many US cities have already banned single-use plastic/Styrofoam products. California and many countries/cities in the European Union are prime examples of this sustainable model. We should study/imitate them and quickly implement the best methods and/or improve upon them. Communities/corporations' goals should be ZERO-WASTE.

Eight, we must join forces and support environmental groups and organizations that promote peace and social justice- because these lobby our governments for us. Here are some of the effective/reliable ones I know- you can find them online; Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), Earthjustice, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Oceana, Ocean Champions, The Climate Reality Project, National Geographic, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), National Priorities Project (this one promotes world peace), Catholic Relief Services (this one supports the needy, refugees, with economic/education assistance, etc), Sierra Club, and The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a national organization that works daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Ninth, we must pray and act/work for our planet and for humanity, for peace, for tolerance, for social/environmental justice and love toward our planet and one another. If we truly care for our planet and all living things we must do it. It won't be easy, but that's what love requires -some level of sacrifice- because technology cannot solve all our problems. Love is the cure that can heal many wounds!

9.    The latest updates, Maine First U.S. State to Ban Styrofoam Containers, (May 2019) https://www.ecowatch.com/maine-bans-styrofoam-2636014775.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1

and as of 5-26-19. According to The Guardian, on March 27, 2019, the European Parliament voted to ban single-use plastic cutlery, cotton buds, straws and stirrers as part of a sweeping law against plastic waste that despoils beaches and pollutes oceans. The vote by MEPs paves the way for a ban on single-use plastics to come into force by 2021 in all EU member states." To read the whole article, click on this link: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/27/the-last-straw-european-parliament-votes-to-ban-single-use-plastics?fbclid=IwAR3LurgUFtQl1wNbkgoLE-GNMEfhnWTnaaGLuwJNIi3TEkAzhaVTHQSrNq8

10.     For more information on the circular economy read: The circular economy is a golden opportunity. Don’t let it go to waste https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/the-circular-economy-turns-waste-into-gold-so-lets-get-on-with-it/

11.     To Learn more on ocean plastic pollution read the June 2018 article by National Geographic: Planet or Plastic?  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/planetorplastic/

12.   To learn more on waste control/recycling read the June 2019 Sierra's magazine article of : The US Recycling System is Garbage  https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2019-4-july-august/feature/us-recycling-system-garbage

13. Educational Resources. EARTH DAY & WORLD OCEAN DAY CELEBRATIONS AT OUR SCHOOLS, HOMES and WORK PLACES! Click on the links below to access educational/ activist activities for all:

b. This is the official UN site:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/world+ocean+day+activities/FMfcgxwCggCNxgsvKvGKFtQpHGqsJLbW

c. This is to access my environmental/educational activities:

https://ottaviolopiccolo.blogspot.com/2019/02/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html

d. This is an excellent video reportage in Italian and some in English, by the National Italian TV show Le Iene. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=435177533694005&id=416079542270471

e.  To Learn more on ocean plastic pollution read the June 2018 article by National Geographic: Planet or Plastic?  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/planetorplastic/

f. To learn more on waste control/recycling read the June 2019 Sierra's magazine article of : The US Recycling System is Garbage  https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2019-4-july-august/feature/us-recycling-system-garbage

14.       Documentary Movies & Videos that show the devastation of plastic and also solutions that can help address/ reduce it

MOVIEs: (You may find these at your public library, on NETFLIX, and/or by purchasing therm online, etc)

a. Inside the Garbage of the World. The Ugly Truth About Plastic Pollution

b. A Plastic Ocean

VIDEOS:

a. What really happens to the plastic you throw away - By Emma Bryce (4 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xlNyWPpB8

b. Ocean Pollution - Save Our Marine Life (4 min) - https://youtu.be/l3XGUnjDRUQ

c.       The World Ocean "Trashed" (10 min.)   https://youtu.be/aBOlzTeyTZgAn award winning film. The world ocean's food chain is being polluted with plastics. This documentary shows the negative effects of plastic pollution, but it also shows what people around the world are doing to contain/reduce plastic pollution. 

d. How We Can Keep Plastics Out of Our Ocean | National Geographic (3

min.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQTUWK7CM-Y&t=30s

e.  BAG IT 1-  https://youtu.be/Km CYcf2ags?list=PLiQmjwY1e5icKM_1j9VMX7u5y5fgpvNOj&t=57

f. How can we Clean up the Oceans (4 min.)- In this brief video we learn that between 4-12 metric tons of plastics wash into the oceans every year.  https://youtu.be/7i8pjnjZcF8

Extracted from: A Plastic Flood in an Ocean of Troubles.  What Society Needs to do in order to Save our Planet (c) (c) Ottavio Lo Piccolo, 2018. Expected to be published by World Ocean Day, June 8, 2020, or sooner.

This petition was revised last on 9-2-19.