Plastic Pollution Conversation Lands on Maui

Tooth brush plastic, from media released from The Plastic Pollution Conversation.

By Wendy Osher

A conversation on plastic pollution comes to Maui this week in a series of presentations planned across the island.

The goal is to raise the intensity of awareness about plastic pollution, its impact, the challenges it presents and motivate individuals and groups to effect change.

Leaders with the Community Work Day program in Hawai’i say it’s also an opportunity for the public to learn about marine debris from the March 2011 Japan tsunami.

The discussion is part of a Pacific Rim tour hosted by Captain Charles Moore in association with the Algalita Marine Research Institute.

The Plastic Pollution Conversation includes a list of Hawai’i venues with the first discussion set for Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Maui Ocean Center. Additional Hawai’i appearances include the following:

• Oct. 11, 6 p.m., at Maui Community College, hosted by the SLIM Program;
• Oct. 12, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at The Whalers Museum in Lahaina, hosted by the Museum;
• Oct. 13, 1 p.m. at the NOAA/Whale Sanctuary in Kihei, hosted by both organizations.
• OAHU: Oct. 14, University Lab School, Honolulu, hosted by Kokua Foundation and Surfrider Oahu.

The tour was launched on September 8th in Tokyo, and has since included stops in Hong Kong; Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand.

The tour format is modeled for building a worldwide network of people committed to making a positive difference in the health of our oceans.

“The world must be convinced to cease using its oceans as the final resting place for its waste,” said Captain Moore.

His presentation includes discussion on the Algalita/5 Gyres 2012 Asia Pacific Expedition through the Western Pacific Garbage Patch. It also includes discussion on the southern edge of the 2011 tsunami material swept to sea, which is making its way across the North Pacific Gyre.

“The Plastic Pollution Conversation must continue with an ever louder voice,” said Moore. His vision is to increase the volume of that voice through a rethinking of the plastic age and its impacts on global health.