Posting #1 and The Great Garbage Island

Post #1 01/11/12 To be honest I wasn't sure what qualified to be number one, what should be the most important thing I feel people should know about. The problem for me is, there are so many. Whether they be social, environmental, economical, political, agricultural, having to do with things like wars, or corruption. Each has a story worthy of beginning this blog. So this is what I have decided to do. Im going to list as many important stories as I can. Starting with something thats considered "Old News" yet still very important to be aware of, followed by a "Current Events" piece, involving something a bit more recent. They wont be in any particular order at first, just due to the unfortunate fact that I have so much catching up to do. But they will be dated with the posting and the original air/creation date. Im doing this because I want I think everyone needs a little perspective.

 Old News: Great Pacific Garbage Island

 You may not consider this old news, because its recently within the last 2 years gained publicity, but considering that it was originally discovered in 1997, Id say 15 years makes it pretty old news. If you haven't heard there is a patch of garbage in the pacific ocean, twice the size of Hawaii. The way it formed is, different plastics and other floating debris we put into the ocean are brought together by different diverging currents directly between the United States and Asia. There the plastics are kept together by these currents and slowly broken down by salt water.

 The way this effects us is the fact that when the plastic is broken down into the microscopic pellets it was originally made of, it is then ingested by animals that are unaware of its presence in the water or the animal it happens to be consuming. The other fact being that a lot of the fish and other animals that are ingesting this plastic are eaten by humans. We have no idea what this affect could be on our bodies, or our children. Research has shown that the debris has affected at least 267 different species of animal.

 Pictured below is whats known as the Great Atlantic Garbage Island, yes east coasters you get one of your very own. Unfortunately what this tells me is that were all slobs who cant clean up their messes and keep them in trash cans. I try not to litter, I know its sometimes hard to avoid and it happens, but I think that we could all do a bit better job of making sure things are reused and recycled before they are thrown away, because unfortunately, even if its put in the correct container, we honestly don't have the room to house it all. These garbage islands could end up, along with the many other things we are doing to our oceans, such as over fishing and deep water oil drilling to name a couple, could end up screwing up our entire ecosystem, or at least creating famine for the billion people in this world dependent on fish for survival.

Also If you haven't heard, Toxic Garbage Island by VBS.tv is a great expose on the actual Great pacific garbage island. TOXIC GARBAGE ISLAND VBS.TV