Plastic particles are acting a magnet for poisons in the ocean, according to a study being carried out by the University of Plymouth. These studies are suggesting that billions of plastic particles are drifting underwater and concentrating the ocean’s pollutants. These seeds of toxic threat are not only being found around the shores of the UK, but also across all 7 continents.

The investigation into how plastic fragments in sea water is also being carried out in Midway USA, with the effects on ocean organisms being closely monitored. If these organisms start to ingest these minuscule particles of plastic, it could pose a potentially devastating toxic threat to the world’s ecological system. Once inside an organism, there is a major risk that the toxins may be transferred into the creature itself, with the chemicals being re-released into the ocean.
 
The plastic content of the sea is rising. Samples are now showing that high tide sand around British coastlines are carrying as much as a quarter of plastic particles in the total weight measured. This is a worrying amount, especially as the plastic does not fully disintegrate, merely the particles fragment.The US Fish and Wildlife Services spokesperson Matt Brown warns –

“The thing that’s most worrying about the plastic is its durability; it’s not going to go away in our lifetime. If people don’t start to take away their plastic today, it’ll still be here when our grandchildren are walking down our beaches.”

> > click here to help Greenpeace protect the world’s oceans 

> > click here to sponsor a dolphin through Marine Connection

 

Northampton based nightclub Ghost lead the way to the future of responsible clubbing by becoming the first venue in the UK to become carbon neutral.

Having been open for just under a year, Ghost’s environmentally friendly stance is in stark contrast to some people’s misconception of most nightclubs. Can doormen, dolly birds and carbon capture live under one roof in perfect harmony? I spoke to Ghost owner Sam King about his innovative stance –

“Just because we work in the club industry, it shouldn’t mean we can’t help towards environmental issues. Most nightclubs create a great deal of rubbish with bottles and boxes, and it’s in everyone’s best interest to reduce carbon emissions across the country. This is now a global issue, and everyone needs to do their bit.”

Ghost pay a yearly fee to the Carbon Neutral Company, who then assess the clubs yearly carbon output. This is calculated via the amount of deliveries per week, the amount of rubbish collected, plus the CO2 emission produced by the vehicles used for the transport of stock and wastage. Once the figure of carbon emission has been determined, trees are planted in a designated area in the UK to neutralize the company’s output. It’s an excellent idea, and one Sam intends on using in the future -

“We plan to open 10 more Ghost nightclubs across the UK in the next 3 or 4 years, and all of them will be carbon neutral. It’s time for everyone to realise that the world’s environmental problems aren’t going to fix themselves.”

Wise words indeed. From as little as £25 you too can cut carbon emissions in the world by helping save an acre of rainforest with the World Land Trust.

> > Click here to help Greenpeace stop carbon emissions

> > Click here to make a donation to save an acre of rainforest