Plastic pollution is an issue that has increasingly been dominating conversations surrounding the environment. Every year, over 8 million tons of plastic enters our oceans—and it doesn’t go away. Rather than decomposing, plastic continuously accumulates in the ocean, threatening all life on Earth. Marine animals mistake debris for food or become entangled, toxic chemicals leach ...
Recent Study Reveals that Sea Turtle Populations Have Increased 980%
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is without a doubt one of the most successful environmental laws enacted by the United States Congress. Signed in 1973, the ESA has protected 99.5% of species on its list from extinction. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the goal of the act is to “protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.” ...
Saltwater Brewery: Turning an Environmental Crisis into a Sea Turtle’s Snack
The amount of plastic on Earth today weighs more than 1 billion elephants—and this number is only expected to increase in the years ahead. Fortunately, many small businesses and budding entrepreneurs are actively developing new technologies and products to reduce our world’s plastic consumption. ...
Google Under the Sea
Whales are one of the most mystical animals on Earth. With some species reaching over 100 feet and weighing upwards of 200 tons, their size is something that most people cannot even begin to fathom. Despite nearly 50 years of protection efforts, many whale species remain on the endangered list due to centuries of hunting in combination with climate change, shipping activity, ...
Success in South Africa: Twenty New and Expanded Marine Protected Areas
In 2016, the South African government set an ambitious goal: increase the area of protected waters in the country from 0.4% to 5%. The mission’s title, Operation Phakisa, translates to “hurry up” and was implemented in order to uphold the ecological and economic integrity of the country’s marine resources. Just under 3 years later, in October 2018, the South African Cabinet has ...
