EP Something More Brief (Research)

Sources of info:

https://www.earthday.org/fact-sheet-plastics-in-the-ocean/

https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/how-does-plastic-end-ocean

https://www.sas.org.uk/our-work/plastic-pollution/plastic-pollution-facts-figures/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47914580

https://www.condorferries.co.uk/marine-ocean-pollution-statistics-facts#:~:text=1%20in%203%20marine%20mammal,outnumbered%20by%20our%20dumped%20plastic.

https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution

https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/marine-plastics

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/634433/Future_of_the_sea_-_plastic_pollution_final.pdf

Design can: 

Raise awareness of a problem 
Help you care about it. 
Make you do something about it. 

Brief - Logo Siren 

Design a symbol/logo that changes with the urgency of the issue it highlights  

How do I understand what it is? - clarity in design 

How is the logo adaptive? 

How is it memorable? 

Where does it live? 

Supporting narrative should be part of the design

Ocean Platic Pollution 

Outcome: A system that presents the damage of plastic in the ocean 

Most of the plastic trash in the oceans, Earth’s last sink, flows from the land. Trash is also carried to sea by major rivers, which act as conveyor belts, picking up more and more trash as they move downstream. Once at sea, much of the plastic trash remains in coastal waters. But once caught up in ocean currents, it can be transported around the world.

Research into plastic levels in the oceans and in turn its impact on marine life. 

Plastic Disposal Figure

Plastics by the numbers (National Geographic) 

Some key facts:

• Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years.
• Production increased exponentially, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015. Production is expected to double by 2050.
• Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations. That’s the equivalent of setting five garbage bags full of trash on every foot of coastline around the world.
• Plastics often contain additives making them stronger, more flexible, and durable. But many of these additives can extend the life of products if they become litter, with some estimates ranging to at least 400 years to break down.

Microplastics

Once at sea, sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastic waste into small particles, often less than one-fifth of an inch across. "As a result of widespread contamination, microplastics are ingested by many species of wildlife including fish and shellfish. Because microplastics are associated with chemicals from manufacturing and that sorb from the surrounding environment, there is concern regarding physical and chemical toxicity." ((US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Healthcare)). Microplastics spread throughout the water column and have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench

Impact:

Fish are eating micro plastics. "Microplastics, tiny shreds of human trash, are there as well, and in such abundance that larval fish are eating them in their first days of life." ((National Geographic)). 

Especially amongst newborn fish microplastics are devasting, as at such a crucial time of first feeding the difference between plankton and piece of microplastic is potentially a killer.

Pollution Statistics 2020:

(Source: https://www.condorferries.co.uk/marine-ocean-pollution-statistics-facts)

• 100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled in plastic yearly 
• 1 in 3 marine mammal species get found entangled in the litter, 12-14,000 tons of plastic are ingested by North Pacific fish yearly. 
• By 2050, the pollution of fish will be outnumbered by our dumped plastic. (Weight)
• China is ranked #1 for mismanaged waste and plastics. 
• There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in our oceans. 269,000 tons float, 4 billion microfibers per km² dwell below the surface.  
• 70% of our debris sinks into the ocean's ecosystem, 15% floats, and 15% lands on our beaches.  
• In terms of plastic, 8.3 million tons are discarded in the sea yearly. Of which, 236,000 are ingestible microplastics that marine creatures mistake for food.  
• 500 marine locations are now recorded as dead zones globally, currently the size of the United Kingdom’s surface (245,000 km²) 
• Marine plastic pollution is found in 100% of turtles, 59% of whales, and 36% of seals in recent studies. 
• Mammals like seals drown in the 705,000 tons of discarded fishing nets – this horrifying phenomenon has been dubbed ‘ghost fishing’

Pollution Statistics 2010:

• Global plastic waste was 275 million tonnes – it did exceed annual primary production through wastage of plastic from previous years
• Plastic waste generated in coastal regions is most at risk of entering the oceans; in 2010 coastal plastic waste – generated within 50 kilometres of the coastline – amounted to 99.5 million tonnes
• 8 million tonnes – 3% of global annual plastics waste – entered the ocean (mismanaged plastic)
• The amount of plastic in surface waters is not very well known: estimates range from 10,000s to 100,000s tonnes.

Key moments Timeline : 

• Plastic Production (1950) - 2.3 million tons of plastic produced yearly 
• United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (1950) - There were several controversies about dumping radioactive waste off the coasts of the United StatesMost scientists believed that the oceans were so vast that they had unlimited ability to dilute, and thus render pollution harmless. 
• First recorded found plastic in ocean (1960) [crill navigation boat]
• Oslo Convention (1972) - an international agreement designed to control the dumping of harmful substances from ships and aircraft into the sea. (prohibited the dumping of halocarbons and organosilicon (with some exceptions), mercury and mercury compounds, cadmium and cadmium compounds, non-biodegradable plastics )
• Clean Water Act [USA] (1972) - to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters; recognizing the responsibilities of the states in addressing pollution and providing assistance to states to do so
• Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (1972 - The Act has two essential aims: to regulate intentional ocean disposal of materials, and to authorize any related research
• World Oceans Day (1992) - the objectives were to move the oceans from the sidelines to the center of the intergovernmental and NGO discussions and policy and to strengthen the voice of ocean and coastal constituencies worldwide.
• Pacific Gyre voyage (2008), Algalita Marine Research Foundation researchers began finding that fish are ingesting plastic fragments and debris. Of the 672 fish caught during that voyage, 35% had ingested plastic pieces.
• Global Plastic Waste (2010) - estimated 70,000 tonnes of plastic in surface waters
• Ghost Fishing Statistic (2012) - Mammals like seals drown in the 705,000 tons of discarded fishing nets
• Plastic Production (2015) - 448 million tons manufactured yearly. Production is expected to double by 2050
• Marine life pollution (2016) - Marine plastic pollution is found in 100% of turtles, 59% of whales, and 36% of seals in recent studies. 
• Mismanaged plastic waste (2017) - a new study finds that around 8 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste finds its way into the oceans. Of which, 236,000 are ingestible microplastics that marine creatures mistake for food.  
• Marine Animal Deaths (2018) - study finds that 100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled in plastic yearly
• Trump Signs to clean ocean plastics (2018) - encourages China (#1 plastic polluter) and Japan to do the same 
• EU approves single-use plastic ban (2018) - The bill still needs to pass additional stages but could be passed as of 2021
• 250 groups launch global plastic partnership (2018) - 250 organizations responsible for 20% plastic packaging have committed to reducing waste and pollution 
• Peru (#2 mismanaged plastic polluter in the world) restricts single-use plastic (2019) - visitors will no longer be able to bring single-use plastics into Peru 76 natural and cultural protected areas. Will be replaced with 'reusable and biodegradable plastics or others that's degradation doesn't cause contamination by microplastics or dangerous substances 
• Plastic Manufacturer (2005-2020) Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years.
• Entangled Fish (2020) - 1 in 3 marine mammal species get found entangled in the litter, 12-14,000 tons of plastic are ingested by North Pacific fish yearly. 
• Plastic Waste (2020) - There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in our oceans. 269,000 tons float, 4 billion microfibers per km² dwell below the surface.