The Deadly Tide
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Earth Day 2018, Fighting "THE DEADLY TIDE" is the second Art Installation Piece in the series of what is an ongoing Campaign.
Today we are besieged on all sides with what seem insurmountable problems. Most of our dilemmas are of our own making. Perhaps no issue is more important than that of the environment. I would argue here we can still make a change. I believe my Art first installation piece entitled "The Deadly Tide" which was on display during the September 2017 ArtPrize 9 held in Grand Rapids Michigan inspired conversation and debate, which can help move the process of saving our planet's oceans and waterways in the right direction! By the year 2050, there will be more plastic by weight in the sea than fish. Nearly every piece of plastic ever made still exists today. More than five trillion pieces of plastic are already in the oceans. We are drowning in a sea of Plastic waste. Approximately 320 million tons of plastic are manufactured annually; 40 percent of this is single-use items. Only 5 percent of plastics are effectively recycled, which means that the remaining 95 percent of all the plastic ever made remains on the planet. In the North Pacific, there is a convergence of ocean currents called a 'Gyre.' This area of the Ocean between Hawaii and Japan is an accumulation zone for plastic pollution, which is twice the size of Texas. The North Pacific Gyre represents the largest Gyre on Earth (there are others), and it contains roughly 3.5 million tons of trash. Studies have shown that plastic fragments outnumber zooplankton 40 to 1! The ocean where life on Earth began has been turned into a synthetic soup. Beaches once used for swimming and playing are now completely covered in plastic garbage. In many places around the world, the ocean tide brings a fresh layer of garbage every day, which could come from anywhere on the planet. The truth about plastic, it suffocates the oceans, is killing off the marine life, and is poisoning us through our food chain. Plastic fragments contaminate even the most remote locations on earth. Harmful chemicals leached by plastics are present in the bloodstream and tissues of almost every one of us. Plastic pollution harms people, animals, and the environment. Plastic is not biodegradable. In the marine environment, plastic breaks down into smaller particles that absorb toxic chemicals, are ingested by wildlife, and enter the food chain that we depend on for survival. Consumption of throwaway plastics, such as bottles, containers, bags, and packaging, has spiraled out of control. Recycling is not a sustainable solution. Most of our plastic waste is landfilled, downcycled or exported to other countries. Businesses and governments must take responsibility for new ways to design, recover and dispose of plastics. However we can not count on them, we must join together and take action. I need your help to bring this socially responsible and thought-provoking work of Art to fruition. Plastic pollution is a symbol of our global over-consumption crisis. We must shift our society away from disposable habits that poison our oceans and land by eliminating our consumption of throwaway plastics and embracing a culture of sustainability. Our health, our children’s health, and the survival of future generations depend on it. Refusing to use disposable, single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, water bottles, and utensils are the responsibility of every one of us. We are playing a dangerous game of 'Russian roulette.'
All monies Donated this project will be dedicated to the completion of this and future Installations focusing on this critical issue.
Today we are besieged on all sides with what seem insurmountable problems. Most of our dilemmas are of our own making. Perhaps no issue is more important than that of the environment. I would argue here we can still make a change. I believe my Art first installation piece entitled "The Deadly Tide" which was on display during the September 2017 ArtPrize 9 held in Grand Rapids Michigan inspired conversation and debate, which can help move the process of saving our planet's oceans and waterways in the right direction! By the year 2050, there will be more plastic by weight in the sea than fish. Nearly every piece of plastic ever made still exists today. More than five trillion pieces of plastic are already in the oceans. We are drowning in a sea of Plastic waste. Approximately 320 million tons of plastic are manufactured annually; 40 percent of this is single-use items. Only 5 percent of plastics are effectively recycled, which means that the remaining 95 percent of all the plastic ever made remains on the planet. In the North Pacific, there is a convergence of ocean currents called a 'Gyre.' This area of the Ocean between Hawaii and Japan is an accumulation zone for plastic pollution, which is twice the size of Texas. The North Pacific Gyre represents the largest Gyre on Earth (there are others), and it contains roughly 3.5 million tons of trash. Studies have shown that plastic fragments outnumber zooplankton 40 to 1! The ocean where life on Earth began has been turned into a synthetic soup. Beaches once used for swimming and playing are now completely covered in plastic garbage. In many places around the world, the ocean tide brings a fresh layer of garbage every day, which could come from anywhere on the planet. The truth about plastic, it suffocates the oceans, is killing off the marine life, and is poisoning us through our food chain. Plastic fragments contaminate even the most remote locations on earth. Harmful chemicals leached by plastics are present in the bloodstream and tissues of almost every one of us. Plastic pollution harms people, animals, and the environment. Plastic is not biodegradable. In the marine environment, plastic breaks down into smaller particles that absorb toxic chemicals, are ingested by wildlife, and enter the food chain that we depend on for survival. Consumption of throwaway plastics, such as bottles, containers, bags, and packaging, has spiraled out of control. Recycling is not a sustainable solution. Most of our plastic waste is landfilled, downcycled or exported to other countries. Businesses and governments must take responsibility for new ways to design, recover and dispose of plastics. However we can not count on them, we must join together and take action. I need your help to bring this socially responsible and thought-provoking work of Art to fruition. Plastic pollution is a symbol of our global over-consumption crisis. We must shift our society away from disposable habits that poison our oceans and land by eliminating our consumption of throwaway plastics and embracing a culture of sustainability. Our health, our children’s health, and the survival of future generations depend on it. Refusing to use disposable, single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, water bottles, and utensils are the responsibility of every one of us. We are playing a dangerous game of 'Russian roulette.'
All monies Donated this project will be dedicated to the completion of this and future Installations focusing on this critical issue.
Organizer
Francis ODonnell
Organizer
Bon Air, VA
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