Northern Pacific Gyre or Our Trash Bin

For those of you who do not know what the the Northern Pacific Gyre is let me enlighten you. In the Pacific Ocean there is a large section of the ocean that has no sea currents, it is considered a "dead zone." The surrounding ocean currents force any debris in the ocean into this area resembling a type of gravitational pull. This is how it became known by its many names such as the Worlds Largest Rubbish Dump; The Pacific Plastic Soup and the Northern Pacific Garbage Patch. The "Garbage Patch" is estimated to be TWICE the size of the continental US.

Seeing that plastic is made to essentially never break down, it begins to break away into pieces so although it may not retain the shape of your Coca-Cola bottle you purchased today it is essentially the same amount of plastic that it began as. This is what is happening in the Gyre, these plastics are breaking off into pieces and hovering below the surface of the water where unsuspecting creatures who mistake a plastic bag for a Jelly Fish or small plastic chips for plankton consume it. These fish are then consumed by larger animals if they don't already die from the plastics and then those larger fish make it onto our family dinner tables. Yummy! It is estimated that there is 13 lbs. of plastic in this area for every one pound of plankton. Since this "problem" lies in international waters no countries government feels responsible for the problem and cleaning efforts are scarce.

I am not urging you to hop on a boat and start picking up plastic, but to take this as a reminder that even though we don't see the impact of our actions all the time they are catching up with us.
Take this into consideration with your consumer power, buy glass packaged products instead; research companies environmental efforts before giving them your money; try to consume less and know that when you liter it makes its way through our gutters to our rivers into our oceans.

Check out Project Kaisei and there attempt at "Capturing the Plastic Vortex."

Your efforts will pay off.

Green Challenge

In accordance with our friends @ Reduce Footprints we will be having a Wednesday Challenge in which you are to incorporate into your week until the next Wednesday challenge. With as many as 200 blog readers and bloggers we can reach large volumes of people whom if all take part in the challenge could make a large impact, whether its a project on water conservation or carbon offsetting, we can make a difference.

This week our goal is to make a craft by reusing/refurbishing materials that would otherwise be wasted.

Today I made drinking cups & tea light candle holders out of old wine and beer bottles. If you can't think of anything creative or fun and want a little help check out Martha Stewart's amazing craft ideas.

Here is one of her Eco-Chic Ideas for Your Home:

Cork Trivet-

They don't just keep your wine from spilling and spoiling; corks can also protect your tables and countertops from hot pots and pans.

1. For a medium-sized trivet, collect at least 50 uniformly sized corks.
2. Stand them upright and arrange them into a tight circle.
3. Surround corks with an 8- to 10-inch metal hose clamp (sold in the plumbing section of the hardware store).
4. Tighten the clamp to bind the corks together and then trim the excess clamp with metal clippers.

Cost: about $3
Check out more @ her website for Whole Living.

Good Luck!

Toms Shoes

Finally a for-profit business that has more in mind than profiting for itself. TOMS SHOES is a "One for One movement" aimed at providing shoes to children in need in Argentina & Africa. For every pair you purchase a pair is given away. Not only is it an amazing contribution but TOMS makes some cool shoes. From vegan to wrap boots, they have something for you. Check them out next time you need a new pair of shoes. Your literally taking a step in the right direction. Following is the more detailed description of TOMS from their web page.

ONE FOR ONE

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about.

OUR STORY

In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.

Since our beginning, TOMS has given over 140,000* pairs of shoes to children in need through the One for One model. Because of your support, TOMS plans to give over 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world in 2009.

Our ongoing community events and Shoe Drop Tours allow TOMS supporters and enthusiasts to be part of our One for One movement. Join us.

WHY SHOES?

Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk.

Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren't possible barefoot.

Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.

Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.

There is one simple solution...SHOES.

Of the planet's six billion people, four billion live in conditions inconceivable to many. Lets take a step towards a better tomorrow.

Check out the ones I just ordered. They are made of 35% hemp + 65% post-consumer plastic bottles, with a recycled rubber sole & faux suede insole. Pretty nifty.