Garbage Gyres

On this somewhat peaceful Sunday, I found myself watching a program called Innovation Nation.

This show is, apparently, nothing new to my kids, though I had never heard of it.  That means nothing since my tastes are eclectic, and I watch more movies than television.  Or, maybe I’m just getting old…

Anyway, one of the topics today was cleaning up plastic trash in the ocean.  I grew up on the beach, I love the water, and the dwindling state of our mother ocean has been something that’s bothered me for some time.  I try to be a good citizen of Earth.  I’ve been donating to the Surfrider Foundation for about 15 years because our beaches and oceans are important.

I learned something new today, however, and frankly I don’t know why I haven’t heard of it before now.  Or maybe I did hear about it, but didn’t get it.  And, as a weather guy, it makes such perfect sense.  I’m talking about the existence of Garbage Gyres.

You see, the oceans have some convergence points where all of the little currents lead.  Sort of like how all rivers lead to the ocean, except you’re already in the ocean, so the currents lead to places called gyres.  Since all the currents lead to these areas, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that trash, plastic, and waste of all types are forced along to these spots.

Spots?  That gives the illusion of small size.  The Great Pacific garbage patch is midway between California and Hawaii, and it is about the size of Texas.  You can’t see it on satellite images because much of it floats below the surface, but it’s there.

Naturally, there’s an impact on the sea life and habitat.  The ecosystem is changing.

I encourage you to learn about it.  Become conscious of your surroundings.  Advocate and foster change and awareness.

We go through a natural cycle of maturation, which is a whole other topic, but it sometimes prevents us from truly realizing the impact of what we do until its too late.  I’m guilty of that at times.  You don’t know what you don’t know, right?

Teach your kids about it now; reduce the learning curve on these things.  A peaceful Sunday is the perfect time to do it.

(Information drawn from Innovation Nation, Wikipedia, and NOAA)