Save our Seas Ocean Racing is the brainchild of Ian Thomson. Their mission is “to make the every day Australian think before they use plastic bags, to reduce the usage if they can, if they can’t, to reuse and eventually recycle them”. Plastic has become such an integral part of every day life that many people do not think twice when reaching for the Glad Wrap, freezer bags, bin liners, bottles of water or shopping bag. But they need to!
To raise awareness of the damage plastic bags cause to our environment, in May/June 2010 Ian Thomson set out to break the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of Australia. He achieved this goal by smashing in excess of 26 days off the record. Focus has now turned to Airlie Beach Race Week followed by Pittwater to Coffs and Coffs to Paradise. Early in 2011 Ian will upgrade the boat to a bigger boat (Brindabella) and compete in the Brisbane to Gladstone and then in May 2011 he will set out with a full crew to attempt to break the record for the fastest monohull circumnavigation of Australia.
If all this doesn’t sound enough to exhaust the average person he is also currently writing a book ‘Dare to Dream’ and has planned and extensive tour of Australia to talk about his experiences and raise awareness for marine conservation.
Some quick stats:
Some quick solutions:
- Cut back or don’t buy bottled water
- Don’t purchase manufactured plastic bags:
- for bin liners use recycled shopping bags
- utilise re-usable containers instead of freezer bags
- Avoid excess packaging such as:
- Vegetables packaged with foam trays and gladwrap
- Individually wrapped and bagged items
- Avoid plastic forks, plates, etc. for take away, choose outlets which have re-usable utensils and dishes
- Make the most of re-usable containers instead of Glad Wrap or clingfilm.
- Take your own bag when going shopping (calico bags pack down small, are light, strong and made of natural fibres)
For more information on marine debris and the devastating effect of plastic in our oceans click on the links below.
- http://www.reefed.edu.au/home/explorer/hot_topics/marine_debris
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_debris
- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Taking Action
- Make the pledge: http://myplastiki.com/takeaction.php
- Spread the word: share this information through facebook, twitter, etc.
- Bring your friends to one of Ian Thomsons talks
- Start taking steps in your life, to cut down use
Action I Am Taking:
- Raising awareness…the more people that read this the more people will understand the issue around our everyday plastic use…and more importantly, where that plastic ends up.
- In 2010/2011 I am embarking on a photographic essay of marine debris, including ghost nets and their tragic effects in some of the most remote (and what should be pristine) areas of our ocean.
- Steps I take in everyday life include: do not purchase bottled water or plastic bags; dispose of plastic responsibly; pick up litter; utilise re-usable containers instead of clingfilm; boycott products which use excessive packaging.
Australian Conservation Foundation
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