Sarah Ferguson began Swim Against Plastic: Easter Island at launched a global campaign to help end plastic pollution.
Track swim: https://track.rs/
South African Endurance Swimmer Launches Campaign to End Plastic Pollution in Current Attempt to be First to Swim Around Easter Island #SwimAgainstPlastic
World-Record Swim – Education – Beach Cleanups
Eating up Easter film by Island Native, Sergio Mata’u Rapu
Plastic Oceans International and Breathe Conservation helped this movie. For they are two global nonprofit organizations dedicated to solving the plastic pollution problem, today announced that South African endurance swimmer, Sarah Ferguson. She began Swim Against Plastic around Easter Island at 8:07 a.m. local time, launching a global campaign to help end plastic pollution. Track the swim at https://track.rs/swimagainstplastic
The goal is to encourage people to rethink their habits toward single-use, or throwaway plastic, and empower them to change and become part of the solution.
Swim Against Plastic: Easter Island is exploring also how local plastic pollution is impacted on a micro level. So examples are by exponentially growing:
- tourism
- increased population
- commercial fishing
- and improper waste management.
All the while providing a model to translate to a macro level for global application.
Swim Against Plastic: Easter Island includes:
South African endurance swimmer, Sarah Ferguson, is becoming the first person ever to swim the entire perimeter of Easter Island. Thereby possibly setting a new world record.
Despite very risky conditions, the Breathe Conservation founder, Plastic Oceans International Ambassador and retired South African national swimmer, is making this journey because of her commitment to raise awareness about plastic pollution.
Education forums with residents will address the island’s plastic pollution. The Easter Island premiere of Eating up Easter, a documentary film produced and directed by island native, Sergio Mata’u Rapu. It screened March 15, 7:30 p.m. at Toki Rapa Nui during a free community event: Eating Up Easter Film Screening.
Beach cleanups are being organized locally. All to restore, protect, and preserve Easter Island’s fragile environment from severe plastic pollution. Microplastics samples will also be collected and later analyzed by Arizona State University. The first scheduled cleanup was March 16, 8.30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Viringa o Tuki area. It’s a well-known local surf spot, hosted by Te Mau o te Vaikava and Plastic Oceans.
First of all, Sarah Ferguson’s Swim Against Plastic is a journey around Easter Island’s perimeter. One that will cover more than 40 miles (65 kilometers). All through cold water and dangerous currents.
Most importantly, the swim took up to 24 hours to complete. Despite very risky conditions, Sarah is making this journey. Especially because of her commitment to raising awareness. All to help end plastic pollution.
Risks include:
- chafing from friction between skin and bathing suit during approximately 24-hour swim
- eating every 30 minutes, as food in a container is thrown into the water to access and consume, all while continuing to swim without stopping
- getting caught in currents that prevent progress to advance distance, increase journey length and require additional physical output
- hypothermia; jellyfish, and specifically the Portuguese man o’ war
- saltwater exposure
- sharks
- and sunburn
Likewise, Sarah has also trained extensively in preparation for Swim Against Plastic: Easter Island. She arrived on the island March 11 back in 2019 from South Africa. The swim date range was for March 13-20, 2109. It was all depending on weather and conditions. A March 13 start was delayed after wind conditions changed. Watch why Sarah swims: Video: The Determination of Sarah Ferguson.
Easter Island is a Chilean territory. For it’s located in the South Pacific Ocean between Chile and New Zealand. It is considered the most remote inhabited island on the planet, more than 2,000 miles from the Chilean coast, with the nearest island over 1,200 miles away.
The waters surrounding the island contain one of the highest concentrations of microplastics. For I mean in the Pacific Ocean. Most importantly of which originate from other sources. I mean thousands of miles away. Microplastics and larger pieces of plastic come to the island. Especially from the South Pacific Gyre.
In conclusion, an additional 20 tons of trash is also produced daily. That’s just on Easter Island. I mean that’s some serious and prevalent waste management issues. That’s especially related to the exponentially growing tourism industry. Consequently and also increasing population. Chile also recently implemented new rules to limit access and tourism on Easter Island to protect the culture and environment.
As I wrote about the same concerns in Canada:
Doing so would allow the federal government to pass laws. Then requiring producers of products containing plastics or using plastic packaging to collect and recycle them. So ocean conservancy and environmental groups prevent exports of plastics. Especially to developing countries. All to require recycled plastics to be used in making products and packaging. Thereby ocean conservancy and environmental groups demand banning single-use plastic items not collected. As well as reducing microplastic waste from clothing. Especially and other products. All as a result that pollute fish Canadians eat.
The 12 ocean conservancy and environmental groups have banded together. All to make this formal and joint request to Canada’s environmental and health ministers.
Consequently, Rapa Nui is the island’s indigenous name. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also well known for the unique cultural phenomenon of shrines. As well as enormous stone figures. For they are called moai. They are built between the 10th and 16th centuries. All by the society of Polynesian origin. Again, all which settled on the island circa 300 A.D.
The premiere of Eating up Easter
So it’s a documentary film produced and directed by island native, Sergio Mata’u Rapu. It was screened as part of Swim Against Plastic March 15 at Toki Rapa Nui during a free community event. View the invitation: Eating Up Easter Film Screening.
The Film
So the film as well, follows four islanders. All descendants of the ancient statue builders. Those who are working to tackle the consequences of their rapidly developing home. In addition, Mama Piru also leads recycling efforts. All to consequently reduce trash. Mahani and Enrique also use music to reunite their divided community. Moreover Sergio tries to understand the motivations of his father. Especially as he embraces the advantages of building new businesses.
For those that didn’t know out there I have done tv segments on recycling!
Anyone who knows The Green Living Guy appreciates my love for recycling! This video I did with NYC Media. It clearly shows you what’s up! I give you some tricks you actually might not have known. So please check this one out.
Yet here’s some of the content (not completely but mostly) from the segment about the facts on why!!!
Did you know that Americans create 254 million tons of waste each year, and that $7 billion worth of that waste is recyclable material which ends up in landfills because of improper disposal? Do you remember when we were told not to recycle the caps to plastic bottles? Many people still think it’s not good to do that, yet, it’s actually one of the most common recycling mistakes we make nowadays.
There are many things we can do to better our recycling efforts, and one of the first steps to doing something better is to understand what you’re doing incorrectly.
Thank you
I’ve written beige about the effects of music:
One Talented Group Is Making Music In Harmony With The Environment
“It’s entertainment with a conscience,” says Steve Linder, creator of Vocal Trash; a diverse blend of environmental performers who have been engaging audiences across the U.S. for over a decade. The musical aspects of this exciting, high-energy troupe from Texas appeals to everyone – from the very young to the very old – in its perfect mix of pop, rock, swing and classic oldies.
Described as “Glee, with a kick”, Vocal Trash plays to capacity crowds, from Las Vegas to Madison Square Garden, presenting their “wow factor” experience and making them a hit with all venues. Audiences can’t seem to get enough of this energetic group whose “feel good” music literally gets people up and dancing in the aisles.
Vocal Trash combines uniquely recycled musical instruments, such as their “one of a kind” bass and guitars, with an industrial percussion section made-up of recycled things. For they use:
- metal trash cans
- plastic barrels
- water bottles and other landfill rescued items.
Their hip, yet poignant, presentation teaches children to use their imagination in a meaningful and lasting way. Especially as it relates to eco-friendly living. This makes for a powerful and personal tool. All to reach young minds while enforcing an important narrative. One to reuse items that would normally end up as discarded. All know moreover as earth burdensome waste.
These stories also intertwine.
They do this consequently to reveal the complexities of development. Moreover and as well as the contradictions within us all. Especially as we are faced with hard choices about our planet’s future. Learn more about Eating Up Easter at eatingupeaster.com.
In addition, people are encouraged to join Swim Against Plastic. Especially to get informed. As well as inspired and make changes. Especially to end plastic pollution. So please follow the campaign and swim progress using #SwimAgainstPlastic. Learn more at SwimAgainstPlastic.com.
In conclusion, Swim Against Plastic is presented by Footprint. Finally and in partnership with Crowd, Hotel Hotu Matua, and Toki Rapa Nui.
Source: Plastic Oceans International
March 15, 2019 – MALIBU, Calif., U.S.
