Sailing for Plastic Pollution Research & Awareness
Donation protected
Who am I?
My name is Melissa Donich and I am a 29-year-old elementary school teacher, environmentalist and outdoor enthusiast. I am passionate about educating youth, exploring our oceans and protecting the planet from unnecessary plastic waste.
Why am I raising money?
I have been accepted on a major research expedition to study the devastating impacts of plastic pollution and toxins in our oceans. We will be sailing to collect microplastics (small fragments of plastic) across the ocean. It is important to study these plastics because they have been found in almost every layer of the ocean and have made their way into the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breath. I am beyond thrilled to join eXXpedition and contribute to their research around the world.
Where?
Due to the current pandemic (COVID-19), our voyages have been postponed 12 months. However, instead of waiting for 2021 for the voyage across the Indian Ocean, I will be embarking on a sooner, shorter (and less expensive) expedition. The location is still TPD. With this decision, I will not be required to raise as much money as I originally planned (or wait as long! ).
Why am I doing this?
● 8 million tonnes of plastic waste find their way into the ocean each year (Jenna Jambeck)
● Only 9% of plastic is recycled globally (more info: https://goo.gl/aozz5D)
● We use over one million plastic bags every minute worldwide (see a live count of the plastic
bags used worldwide here: https://goo.gl/MT4bEW)
● By 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish (source: https://goo.gl/a2rZG7)
● There are five subtropical gyres, where plastic is collecting in the ocean (more info:
https://goo.gl/4r2rNU)
● Most plastics, even when certified as biodegradable, do not breakdown in water (source:
https://goo.gl/QaSdWM)
● Toxic chemicals in the ocean, such as pesticides, flame retardants and industrial waste, lead to
bioaccumulation of toxics in the food chain
● Many chemicals found in plastic have been linked to disease, and are found to be
contaminating our bodies through food and other plastic consumer products
● Plastic debris also threatens marine and terrestrial wildlife through entanglement or by
clogging their digestive tracts.
My journey
In order to make this trip possible, I am fundraising to help cover some of costs of this trip. Any contribution to make this expedition possible is extremely appreciated!
To learn more about eXXpedition, here are some links:
http://exxpedition.com/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/19/great-pacific-garbage-patch-women-scientists-plastic
https://www.npr.org/2016/10/21/497846035/how-do-toxins-from-plastics-find-their-way-into-our-food
https://www.globeseries.com/forum2018/navigating-way-plastic-free-ocean/
My name is Melissa Donich and I am a 29-year-old elementary school teacher, environmentalist and outdoor enthusiast. I am passionate about educating youth, exploring our oceans and protecting the planet from unnecessary plastic waste.
Why am I raising money?
I have been accepted on a major research expedition to study the devastating impacts of plastic pollution and toxins in our oceans. We will be sailing to collect microplastics (small fragments of plastic) across the ocean. It is important to study these plastics because they have been found in almost every layer of the ocean and have made their way into the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breath. I am beyond thrilled to join eXXpedition and contribute to their research around the world.
Where?
Due to the current pandemic (COVID-19), our voyages have been postponed 12 months. However, instead of waiting for 2021 for the voyage across the Indian Ocean, I will be embarking on a sooner, shorter (and less expensive) expedition. The location is still TPD. With this decision, I will not be required to raise as much money as I originally planned (or wait as long! ).
Why am I doing this?
● 8 million tonnes of plastic waste find their way into the ocean each year (Jenna Jambeck)
● Only 9% of plastic is recycled globally (more info: https://goo.gl/aozz5D)
● We use over one million plastic bags every minute worldwide (see a live count of the plastic
bags used worldwide here: https://goo.gl/MT4bEW)
● By 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish (source: https://goo.gl/a2rZG7)
● There are five subtropical gyres, where plastic is collecting in the ocean (more info:
https://goo.gl/4r2rNU)
● Most plastics, even when certified as biodegradable, do not breakdown in water (source:
https://goo.gl/QaSdWM)
● Toxic chemicals in the ocean, such as pesticides, flame retardants and industrial waste, lead to
bioaccumulation of toxics in the food chain
● Many chemicals found in plastic have been linked to disease, and are found to be
contaminating our bodies through food and other plastic consumer products
● Plastic debris also threatens marine and terrestrial wildlife through entanglement or by
clogging their digestive tracts.
My journey
In order to make this trip possible, I am fundraising to help cover some of costs of this trip. Any contribution to make this expedition possible is extremely appreciated!
To learn more about eXXpedition, here are some links:
http://exxpedition.com/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/19/great-pacific-garbage-patch-women-scientists-plastic
https://www.npr.org/2016/10/21/497846035/how-do-toxins-from-plastics-find-their-way-into-our-food
https://www.globeseries.com/forum2018/navigating-way-plastic-free-ocean/
Fundraising team (2)
Melissa Danielle
Organizer
Victoria, BC
Julia Simone
Team member