We donate 5% of the price of each image you purchase to non-profit environmental organizations focusing on protecting and cleaning up the ocean. An estimated 8 million metrics tons of plastic trash ends up in our oceans every year. The ocean currents have formed five gigantic, slow moving whirlpools where the plastic collects, called gyres. Most of the plastic debris sinks or remains in the gyres, however a significant percentage of it washes onto our coastlines daily. Plastic is one of the most enduring materials man has created and can take hundreds of years to degrade. Research is showing that it is possible that it does not even fully degrade, but becomes what we call microplastic. Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that can be eaten by marine animals and end up in their bodies and tissues, entering the food chain and leading to disastrous consequences for the health of our planet and all its inhabitants. Plastic pollution is one of the main causes of marine species extinction, health problems for human beings and animals, and the destruction of our ecosystems.
Plastic Pollution: Key Facts
- Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution and around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year.
- Research states that, by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea.
- In the last ten years, we have produced more plastic products than in the previous century.
- The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has stated that basically 100% of all plastics human beings have ever created are still in existence.
- Plastic generally takes between 500-1000 years to degrade. Even then, it becomes microplastics, without fully degrading.
- Currently, there are about 50-75 trillion pieces of plastic and microplastics in the ocean.
- This plastic either breaks down into microplastic particles (see below), or floats around and ends up forming garbage patches.
(Source – https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/plastic-pollution-ocean/)
These are the non-profit environmental organizations we donate to:
The Ocean Cleanup
The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. To achieve this objective, we have to work on a combination of closing the sources of plastic pollution and cleaning up what has already accumulated in the ocean and doesn’t go away by itself. This goal means we plan to put ourselves out of business – once we have completed this project, our work is done.
5 Gyres
The 5 Gyres Institute is a leader in the global movement against plastic pollution with more than 10 years of expertise in scientific research and engagement on plastic pollution issues. Since 2009, the team has completed 19 expeditions, bringing more than 300 citizen scientists, corporate executives, brands, and celebrities to the gyres, lakes, and rivers to conduct firsthand research on plastic pollution. Through this research, 5 Gyres continuously engages diverse stakeholders in understanding the science to drive impact as well as conduct community outreach and citizen science to implement data-driven solutions. With over 1,800 Ambassadors in 66 countries, 5 Gyres supports and is supported by community members with information, tools, and connections to help drive local change to fight this global crisis.
Parley for the Oceans
Parley for the Oceans addresses major threats towards our oceans, the most important ecosystem of our planet. Parley is the space where creators, thinkers, and leaders come together to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of our oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction.
https://www.parley.tv/#fortheoceans
The Environment Society of Oman (ESO)
The Environment Society of Oman (ESO) was founded in March 2004. The first of its kind in Oman, the society aims to have a positive influence on Oman’s future development by promoting conservation and environmental awareness in all sectors of society. We undertake pioneering marine and terrestrial research to inform conservation initiatives designed to protect threatened and endangered species in Oman. We aim to educate communities and the youth about the importance of adopting more sustainable lifestyles and are committed to developing the capacity of Oman’s next generation of environmentalists. In February 2009, ESO became a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In 2012, ESO won The Best Civil Society Institution Award granted by Riyada4 GCC – Civil Society Leaders Dialogue and Awards.