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I disagree. It's one of many steps we need to do right now and in the future: - Stop dumping/polluting waters - Clean up what is out there Boyan and his proj

I disagree. It's one of many steps we need to do right now and in the future: - Stop dumping/polluting waters - Clean up what is out there Boyan and his project cater for the second one and they're trying to solve a real, existing problem. Others are trying to solve other problems. What's wrong with that?

andrewstuart 7y ago
> What's wrong with that? It's pointless and sends a false message that "cleaning up the problem" is even vaguely possible. That false message will be picked up and amplified by "big plastic" companies like CocaCola to convince the public that they aren't in fact ruining the earth with their single use plastics. It has people like you convinced that it's possible to "clean up what is out there". It's not. If the tap broke in your kitchen and poured thousands of gallons of water on to the floor every minute, would you start mopping that up like crazy, as fast and hard as you can? Or would you first turn off the tap?
- esel2k 7y ago
  I disagree that it is giving a false message. I is also saying: „there is a need to clean our oceans because of the endless plastic.“ shocking amount of plastic might slowly help to change the mindsets. I will take time - maybe two generations - and then these children’s will understand that throwing plastic away (like you see in many countries) is just bad. I think it gives everyone deep down a sense of accountability...
- dade_ 7y ago
  Don't worry, the people that you are worried about are trapped in a media bubble that is warning them that their right to single use plastic is going to be taken away because of people in China that litter. I think that projects like this will put hard numbers to how difficult and expensive "mopping" is and possibly learn something from the trash that is being collected. Then we know that each plastic straw, bag or bottle costs this much to collect from the ocean and we know that x percent end up there. Then use the data to support initiatives to inform policy.
  - chinathrow 7y ago
    I'm not at all trapped in a media bubble. I simply stated that I support multiple attacks on the very real and existing problem. Every ton of prevented plastic in the water is a net gain. Every ton of removed plastic from the water is a net gain.
- chinathrow 7y ago
  I never said I was convinced that the cleanup is easy or even possible - I said we have to start trying it. And I support projects which are at least trying - no matter if they attack the source or the symptom of the problem. While some people focus on changing policies can and should do impact at the source of the problem, other people focus on engineering solutions for fighting the existing problem. Not everyone can become a policy maker/politician - so please cut those at least trying some slack.

andrewstuart 7y ago

> What's wrong with that? It's pointless and sends a false message that "cleaning up the problem" is even vaguely possible. That false message will be picked up and amplified by "big plastic" companies like CocaCola to convince the public that they aren't in fact ruining the earth with their single use plastics. It has people like you convinced that it's possible to "clean up what is out there". It's not. If the tap broke in your kitchen and poured thousands of gallons of water on to the floor every minute, would you start mopping that up like crazy, as fast and hard as you can? Or would you first turn off the tap?

esel2k 7y ago
I disagree that it is giving a false message. I is also saying: „there is a need to clean our oceans because of the endless plastic.“ shocking amount of plastic might slowly help to change the mindsets. I will take time - maybe two generations - and then these children’s will understand that throwing plastic away (like you see in many countries) is just bad. I think it gives everyone deep down a sense of accountability...
dade_ 7y ago
Don't worry, the people that you are worried about are trapped in a media bubble that is warning them that their right to single use plastic is going to be taken away because of people in China that litter. I think that projects like this will put hard numbers to how difficult and expensive "mopping" is and possibly learn something from the trash that is being collected. Then we know that each plastic straw, bag or bottle costs this much to collect from the ocean and we know that x percent end up there. Then use the data to support initiatives to inform policy.
- chinathrow 7y ago
  I'm not at all trapped in a media bubble. I simply stated that I support multiple attacks on the very real and existing problem. Every ton of prevented plastic in the water is a net gain. Every ton of removed plastic from the water is a net gain.
chinathrow 7y ago
I never said I was convinced that the cleanup is easy or even possible - I said we have to start trying it. And I support projects which are at least trying - no matter if they attack the source or the symptom of the problem. While some people focus on changing policies can and should do impact at the source of the problem, other people focus on engineering solutions for fighting the existing problem. Not everyone can become a policy maker/politician - so please cut those at least trying some slack.