Sustainable Bill of Rights

Last Wednesday on November 16, all of Team Marine and SSA (Samohi Solar Alliance) went to the Fairview Santa Monica Main library to learn about human rights against big cooperations. Many big companies come and propose harmful extraction projects like fracking which is digging holes deep underground and pumping tons of water and chemicals to get minerals. This process contaminates our water, loosens up the soil which results in more catastrophic earthquakes. The two speakers proposed to make balance sheets (negotiating with the big companies to have environmental practices), and corporate models (having the company provide their data prior to construction).

A similar discussion about a Sustainable Bill of Rights is occurring tomorrow November 29, (6:30-8:00) at SMC room HSS 165. Mark Gold founder of Heal the Bay will be presenting among many other educated speakers. Learn about your rights this Wednesday because companies have more rights than the people living in the area do.

A Cry for 'Help'

Team Marine leader and SAMOHI Marine Biology teacher Benjamin Kay's picture became a viral hit, which shows him beside his surfboard, with the word 'help' spelled out using trash. This culminated with his appearance on NBC, where he spoke about reusing their products and for people to rethink their lifestyles. The image came about during one of Kay's surfing trips, when he noticed the trash around him and decided to collect it. Stuffing anything he found into his wetsuit, he later took some trash and arranged it to form 'help' and then properly disposed of it. Within TWO days of posting it on Facebook, the image went viral, from Foam Magazine to 5gyres.org, which finally concluded with his NBC appearance. As Kay urged, "We shouldn't be adopting a disposable culture," and Team Marine continues to fight for this helpful change in our environment.

Kay's NBC can be found here:

http://www.nbclosangeles.com.on-air/as-seen-on/Ocean_Trash_Los_Angeles-131180038.html

Posted by Ivan Morales

First Flush gets news recognition

After our recent emergency beach clean up on the first flush of the year, we were recognized in at least 3 different online news articles. This shows the public's interest for youth who try making differences. The more media coverage we get, the better. Our goal is to try to get the world to hear our message, and hopefully get some people to jump on the Eco-bandwagon. Every time we appear in the local newspapers, blogs, or online articles it helps us get our message a little more wide-spread.
The articles can be found at the following links:
http://www.thegreengirlnextdoor.com/
http://www.smmirror.com/#mode=single&view=33178
http://www.surfrider.org/coastal-blog/entry/santa-monica-hs-students-report-first-flush-of-bacteria-and-plastics


Posted by: Alexis Saez

Quickscience Challenge!

Team Marine has entered into the 2011-2012 Quick Science Challenge! The science competition is hosted by USC and Quicksilver. Team Marine has entered two separate teams of eight students each for this year's challenge. The first team entered into the competition is what we like to call the "Bag Team". This team is focusing on a grocery store survey conducted by Alexis Saez, Lilie Gross, Matilda Meade, Natalie Zunaga, Jesse Robertson, Maykel Pernia, George Castillo, and Edie Cote. The survey determines how many people use paper, plastic, reusable, or no bag when shopping. It also shows the sex and age of each participant surveyed. The "Bag Team" plans to use this information to encourage cities around the nation that a bag ban is both possible and effective. The second team is called the "Car Team". This team is currently converting a 1971 gas guzzling Volkswagon Super Beetle into a clean and fully electric battery run vehicle. The "Car Team" is spearheaded by Patricio Guerro, Ian Levinson, Cassandra Kliewer, Kalon Cheung, Justin Tavaf, Ivan Morales, and Talal Alabdali. Good luck to both teams competing this year!

written by Lilie Gross