Months ago, I read an article on someone visiting this garbage patch. From the article, the garbage patch wasn’t what he (or myself) had expected from the name. It is not an island of rubbish, gross and stinky. In fact, he didn’t even realise he had reached the garbage patch until someone told him so. The garbage patch is in fact, just like other parts of the ocean, with a few occasional rubbish floating by. You have look very closely into the waters to notice these confetti-like plastic floating in the water. These plastics has travelled miles across the Pacific ocean until they reach this gyre (I think this is what the pros call it), where a number of opposing currents meet, forming a vortex and hence containing the rubbish in this area. These plastics, after spending years under the sun, went through photo-degradation (or whatever the scientists call them), broke down into pieces so small that is hardly noticeable by eyes.
Initially, I thought this idea is quite good. It is like a landfill in the middle of nowhere, and waste are left there to decompose (or disintegrate?). And the best part, the waste are contained within the area naturally. Mother earth is so kind to provide us with a fantastic solution to the problems we self-centered humans have created. Well, guess i was too optimistic.
Few nights ago, I dreamt of the great pacific garbage patch. I woke up googling the term, and became obsessed with this area, reading every single article on google dating back to 2007. (I had a similar obsession with Khmer rouge weeks ago, now maybe my friends can figure out why I am so busy) One of the first few photos I saw was a dissected albatross chick, with what seems like bottle caps and lighters in its bottle. Apparently the albatross mother mistook these small pieces of plastics, especially plastic pellets, as fish roes and fed them to the chicks. Majority of the chicks are unable to survive to adulthood. Another common (and widely advertised) effect of plastics in oceans are sea turtles, who always mistook plastics as jellyfish, and eventually choking on them.
A few more depressing facts I found out includes: 1. Plastics were only widely used after ww2. In mere 60 years, we had created such a huge impact to our oceans and wildlife. 2. As the plastics are in small pieces, it is not energy viable to clean up the patch. (I can’t help but wonder if it is not energy viable or economically viable, because everything in this world now is tagged with a price tag and apparently the lives of animals do not worth as much as market indexes or defense equipments in the definition of those holding the power.) 3. An article mentioned that there is no political interest cleaning up the area because it is in international waters and it is no one’s territory. (come on, we are all living on the same earth!)
I admit i am guilty of contributing to this plastic pollution. While I try my best to prevent plastic from going into the water (for example, no balloons), the bulk of pollution comes from our demand for plastics. 20% of the garbage patch was marine waste. Plastic pellets (raw materials for making plastic) were washed into the sea when being transported across oceans to the factories nearer to the demands. A quick look into my bag; stationaries, water bottle, gadgets, cosmetics, food containers, umbrella, etc. everything is plastic! Recycling/reusing these stuff does reduce my guilt a little. But deep down, i know it’s not solving the problem at all.
Once again, I’m feeling helpless. And I really hate it! So i’m posting up these photos so that everyone around me will feel as disturbed as me. =p At the same time, hopefully these images will make everyone think twice before purchasing another unnecessary plastics disposable item or requesting for a plastic bag for your purchase. Ps to all: since I’m so obsessed now, be prepared to receive a cloth recycle bag as birthday present this year. =)
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bright and welcoming courtyard! i can see myself chilling in the comfortable natural grassy-smelling breeze already. oh, nice little area for plants. note to self: remember to get that pinkish leafy plant from auntie when i move in.
*drools* the living room is so bright! minimal walls, maximum sun/moonlight! i once dreamed of living in a glass house. this is the next best thing!
the kitchen i have always hoped for. the good thing about this kindda kitchen is when i am in there, i am still able to see what’s going on in the house, and continue talking to people in the living room. being isolated in the kitchen is the exact reason why i seldom bake my apple pie (though i insist mine is better than any restaurants out there). i know many experienced housewives/husbands are going to bitch about how this kind of kitchen is going to stink the whole house. well, given my (lack of) skills and (lack of) interests in cooking, i will probably just limit myself to boiling, stewing and baking. trust me, i can survive very well just on these three methods (if i wanna go unhealthy, i go to the mcdonalds, makes sense?).
the plan of the house. its not too small that i will feel restricted and its not so big that its difficult to keep in clean and organized. three bedrooms, my parents in the master bedroom, i take the bedroom and the last one is my study room. (i’m praying to someone up there, hoping that my brother and sister will be married by then.)
greats! i am just USD188,850 and a 1232 sq ft land away from my new home! so going to smile in my sleep tonight. *grins*
