NaBloPoMo 9: Can One 10-Year Old Girl Save Our Oceans?
Yesterday I wrote a post about the Japanese tsunami of March, 2011 and the “trash island” that is floating in the Pacific towards the US. Although NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) authorities have refuted the existence of this so-called island, they do admit that a lot of trash from the tsunami is still floating or has already sunk in the Pacific.
But the tsunami trash is not the ocean’s biggest problem. Trash in the ocean has been a problem long before the Japanese tsunami. The amount of plastic waste in all of our oceans has led to the term “plastic soup” as a description of the situation. Reports of a “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” have been circulating on Internet. 
One 10-year-old, Liva Adelstorp of Bali, took this problem to heart. While snorkeling one day, she was dismayed by the amount of trash she saw. She researched the problem and discovered that 14 billions pounds of trash are dumped into the ocean each year. This trash does severe damage to the wildlife that lives in the ocean.
Her experience with trash in the ocean while snorkeling inspired her to take action. Here, in her own words, is her attempt to take on this huge ocean trash problem: Liva’s Greenvideo
Liva designed a mesh collection bag for ocean trash that divers could use. She pursued her idea through Project AWARE, and has convinced a diving school in bali to sponsor a “Dive Against Debris” to start cleaning up the oceans.
Can one 10-year-old help save our oceans? You bet she can. With her determination and great ideas, we can bet that we will see progress in this controlling this ocean trash problem. She quotes Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Read the following for more information on this problem. A blog post from the Earth Institute, “Our Oceans: A Plastic Soup,” gives more detail about the plastic pollution problem.
Let’s help Liva by doing our part. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Follow your local guidelines for recycling. You can make a difference.
The Last Meow
Yes, a 10-year old girl can make a difference. She had an idea, and she put it into action. Now, here’s the thing. It might not be successful right away, but the point is to keep trying. Maru the cat can give us an example of that!
Meow for now. =<^;^>=
Janice Hall Heck 
We treat the oceans like big sewers.
Yes, we do treat our oceans badly. When you start looking at reports and videos, you see shocking material…and very scary. I think I will write about this topic from time to time to keep it in the forefront. We all have to help take care of this. Thanks for visiting my blog.
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Wow! She is truly inspiring! I always love to hear stories like this, it makes me feel hopeful for the future.
I was quite impressed with her verbal abilities as well as her ingenuity. I am sure in the future she will be a leader in taking care of our environment. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Wonderful post. Gives me hope:)
Yes, after the negative reports and videos I reviewed on Internet, her story was a bright spot. Our youth are our hope. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Great story Janice to bring to greater attention! Bravo.. Sue
Isn’t she such a smart and well-spoken young lady? She will do well in life. Hopefully she will take on this environment problem and keep focused on solutions. Thanks for visiting my blog.
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