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Good. It seems like science needs more experiments and fewer naysayers. No one really knows if this will work, but it's relatively cheap ($23M--a rounding erro
by ericabiz 8y ago
Good.
It seems like science needs more experiments and fewer naysayers. No one really knows if this will work, but it's relatively cheap ($23M--a rounding error on the scale most governments work at.)
I get tired of the folks who bash experimental solutions like this (a couple of whom are quoted in this article.) Yes, there is a possibility this will harm marine life. But, unquestionably, the plastic that is already in our oceans is already harming marine life. So we need to try.
This experiment will, if nothing else, provide additional data about what plastic is out there and what methods we can use to clean it up.
I hope the scientific community encourages and funds more of these experiments.
- jsonne 8y ago100% agreed. Cynicism abounds, but at least they're doing something even if it fails. Embracing failure, moving fast, learning, and pivoting needs not be limited to early-stage tech companies.
- cultus 8y agoSolutions to ocean trash are well known, we just need to do them. This absolutely will fail. There is no question about that. edit: https://www.kcet.org/redefine/6-reasons-that-floating-ocean-plastic-cleanup-gizmo-is-a-horrible-idea https://www.kcet.org/redefine/6-reasons-that-floating-ocean-... https://inhabitat.com/the-fallacy-of-cleaning-the-gyres-of-plastic-with-a-floating-ocean-cleanup-array/ https://inhabitat.com/the-fallacy-of-cleaning-the-gyres-of-p... Folks, I do quantitative work in ocean conservation. I know what I am talking about here. Everyone in ocean conservation, including marine engineers, ecologists, etc, consider the Ocean Cleanup project to be misguided at best.
- baxtr 8y agoHaters gonna hate? I don’t get it. What’s wrong with preventing and cleaning? We’re enough people and there should be enough money around. Let’s just try
- cultus 8y agoThe thing is that this won't clean up anything. It is terrible for ecology, because it acts like a big net. It will kill plankton and other life. The long booms will (and have in testing) fail in storms. It also doesn't go deep enough to even collect most of the plastic. I get that magical silver hammer solutions are attractive, but this is a global problem that will take actual work to solve.
- baxtr 8y agoOk thanks for clarifying and editing your original post. It sure helps to state your credentials/knowledge in the field upfront.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- justfor1comment 8y agoThe question isn't whether we should spend money on ocean cleanup vs doing nothing. The question is whether we should give money to "The Ocean Cleanup project" or spend it on more promising research. A glitzy looking project can steal the funding from other equally promising but less glamorous initiatives.