just_wondering

I agree about the fact that it won't be profitable for companies, which is why it likely won't be done; however that is why I suggested a ban on new plastic. If they have to collect existing plastic because they will lose big chunks of money in fines, then it is more likely that they would invest in ocean cleaning practices. Additionally it is up to consumers to make companies do this by protesting, boycotting and signing petitions that hold them accountable. I don't understand the rational behind your last comment to michel123456, if you don't mind elaborating that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. In the efforts to combat the issue of one-time-use plastics, the following countries, which include “Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the European Union” have all signed the “Oceans Plastics Charter”, which This is all in hopes of working towards a “Greening Government Strategy” (Treasury Board of Canada, 2018), but other sites suggest the biggest threat is the excess of abandoned fishing nets, which you mentioned above. The answer to your question is no, I do not want to revert back to those times; however, three types of plastics that are not recyclable and are being broken down into micro-plastics that are cancerous, because of UV radiation. This is a huge threat to all of us and the marine environment, birds, etcetera. It might not be a bad idea to put bans on plastic until people can learn to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic. Arguably there is enough in the oceans and waterways already that we likely do not need more, if they did use the pre-existing stuff that we have floating around in waterways, oceans and landfills. Also if companies were not allowed to use planned obsolescence and released new versions after multiple years of selling the more recent models, then there may be less waste. There are many countries that have fixing stations for products that are not easy for the everyday consumer to fix themselves. Additionally if the ban was implemented, they might put more effort into reusing what exists already. Does this seem like reasonable solutions? Do we really need to replace what we have with the latest and greatest technology, or should we be holding companies accountable for not making these products compatible with newer programming? Should governments make corporations implement recycling programs? Just curious what you think about these suggestions? Thank you again for commenting, I appreciate the information you have provided. Resources: Bollinger, T. (2014-2018). How to Avoid Cancer Causing Plastics [Digital image]. Retrieved November 25, 2018, from https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/cancer-causing-plastics/ G7 2018 Charlevoix: Ocean Plastics Charter. (2018). Retrieved November 24, 2018, from https://g7.gc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/OceanPlasticsCharter.pdf Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. (2018, January 11). Greening Government Strategy. Retrieved November 24, 2018, from https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/innovation/greening-government/government-canada-actions-plastic-waste-federal-operations.html Vegter, A. C., Barletta, M., et. al. (2014, October 17). Global research priorities to mitigate plastic pollution impacts on marine wildlife. Retrieved November 24, 2018, from https://www.int-res.com/articles/esr_oa/n025p225.pdf\ With regards to your comment and photo you included is it from the link that you provided? I am just curious so I can look at it for research purposes. I am curious what happens with the waste from the US and UK, if they are not contributors to the plastic that enters the ocean? Do you know of any reputable resources that I can look at to see what happens with the waste from those two countries?

May I ask your opinions on this article? https://www.int-res.com/articles/esr_oa/n025p225.pdf Do you guys have any suggestions for any other resources? Are there viable alternatives to plastic products? I am curious because I have heard of hemp being produced into a form of plastic. Just wondering if this would be a better option, or if you guys know of alternatives I haven't heard of that do not have adverse effects on wildlife?

I am looking for information on the plastic crisis and the oceans. Can anyone point me in the direction of a place with reputable sources? I feel as though Google Scholar hasn't served me well in the past. Also does anyone know anything about the impacts that cruise ships have on the ocean? Thank you.

If you are so sure then please give me the sources that you are not providing. I am willing to plead ignorance if you can give me information, so I can see how you got to your conclusion. I am not trying to fight, I am simply trying to learn, so again please enlighten me.

I was looking at Gapminder and can't find anything about 9/11 and the facts that you did not actually provide. If you want to enlighten me I am open to learning and discussion, but I noticed a lot of Ted Talks on there and wanted to point out that TedX isn't always reputable either. Anyone can do a Ted Talk, Sam Hyde proved that they don't actually look into the background of people and made a joke of TedX. So I am not sure how reputable any of their information is given that they clearly do not fact check. Or at least they didn't in Sam Hyde's case.

I am on Gapminder and there is nothing that talks about 9/11. If you want to enlighten me and find the link I am happy to look at it. Also anyone can do a Ted Talk, Sam Hyde proved that they don't actually look into the background of people and made a joke of Ted Talks. So I am not sure how reputable any of their information is given that they clearly do not fact check. Or at least they didn't in Sam Hyde's case.

I may be shooting in the dark here, but do any of you know anything about cloud-seeding? I am trying to do some research on it and wondered if any of you know anything about it and might be able to fill me in?

I am not an expert in science, nor am I an expert in my own field, which is Communications and Media Studies, as well as Visual Studies. One common theme that constantly keeps emerging from both areas of study is the emphasis on the consumption of products. What is alarming is the rate that people buy and replace things to constantly keep up with a tech hungry society. In addition, planned obsolescence means that people are constantly discarding products, to make way for "the next big thing". A lot of people in societies of consumption are too focused on their image within it, more so than on their contributions to consumer waste, which gets shipped off to other countries who often dump it into the ocean. It has not gotten any better either, with the leaders encouraging people to spend money in the wake of "terrorist" attacks. Take 9/11 for instance, scientists and engineers debunked the events and found them to be impossible. It has been made clear by many experts that airplanes would not have been able to do the damage that was inflicted that day. What is interesting is that leaders focus on shopping as "fighting back" against the fear inflicted by "terrorism". If you want more information on this, I recommend reading the book Popular Culture A User's Guide, by Susie O'Brien and Imre Szeman. In it they mention that This goes for many other countries too, so please don't think I am singling out America. I am just making a point with this specific example. Ultimately it is up to consumers to realize that they are the consumed. A lot of people are not willing to give up their comforts to see this. Imagine if we didn't have to try to remedy everything and instead tried to prevent issues. They do not make money if no one wants to buy their products. They make money off of having to clean up the contaminated environment that everyone continues to contaminate. No one is coming to save us. Let's hope the people figure that out before humanity goes off the cliff we are heading towards.