In Defense of Humanity

In the past week, there has been a heated call and response between Marc Gunther and Stiv Wilson over a topic very close to Team Marine, plastic and plastic pollution in the environment. The plastic industry has always fought against environmentalists and their goal to ban plastic bags. Gunther continued the fight by representing the large plastic companies in his article. He supported the companies, like Hilex Poly, denouncing the claim that plastic bags are more harmful than paper bags, and even supported the use of the plastic bag. Furthermore, he made incorrect scientific claims, citing research that falsely said reusable bags contain harmful amounts of E-coli bacteria. He continually oversimplified the arguments of environmentalists, trying to make them seem close-minded and ignorant.

Wilson, an activist and blogger for the 5 Gyres Institute, wrote his rebuttal that set Gunther's skewed views back on track. Stiv made a bold statement that encompasses the views of Team Marine, Heal the Bay and other environmental organizations. The institutions of plastic bag bans are not caused by the non-recyclable nature of plastic. There is no debate on whether plastic is recyclable, it's the fact that it is not being recycled. It forces people to take personal responsibility and alter their action. He acknowledges that the bans do not solve the problem. They help to make a difference now that will hopefully promote more change in the future.

This is only one point of many, though. Stiv's argument is easily accessible. He dispels many of the myths that Gunther presented as general eco-knowledge. The ban of the plastic bag and use of sustainable resources does not need to be sugar coated. It is common sense. If anyone has even a shadow of a doubt about the eco-movement against the plastic companies, it is imperative that he or she reads Stiv's article.

"We might not have the money on our side, but we have something that always wins in the end: the truth."


Read Gunther's article here:

http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/12/22/defense-plastic-bag

Read Stiv's rebuttal here:

http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/12/28/defense-plastic-bag-bans

Support the LA City Bag Ban!!

This Wednesday, at Los Angeles City Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., city representatives are having a hearing to determine if the single-use carry out plastic bag should be banned throughout all of the City of Los Angeles. This a monumental occasion for the city and we need bodies there to rally support for the cause. If you truly are sustainable and have the time to make it, come down to city hall and promote positive change in your city!

ALSO: Come hear Team Marine Member Annie Wiesenfeld SPEAK at this event! She needs your support to truly be heard.

Here is the info about the event:

What: City of Los Angeles single-use carryout bag ban
When: Wednesday, December 14 at 9:30am
Where: Los Angeles City Hall, John Ferraro Council Chamber Room 340,
200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
***Wear GREEN to show your support for the environment and holiday spirit***

Check the Heal the Bay Website to make sure everything is up and running for Wednesday the night before

http://www.healthebay.org/event/la-city-council-votes-ban-single-use-bags

Want to know about the future of Climate Change?

As the effects of the Kyoto Protocol expired this year, new UN climate debates, The Durban Talks, are being held to determine the new course of action. This debate has been going on for years and plays a large role in the fate of the environment as many know it. Many nation's representatives are pushing for a much more strict environmental policy, a path closer to that of the original intentions of the Kyoto Protocol. Ideally, it would establish strict emission plans for nations which are becoming industrialized, and would also use new "legal instruments" to regulate the carbon emissions of already industrialized nations. These are all just ideas though, the debates are still underway. You can read more about the talks here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/un-climate-talks-real-world-outcome-will-be-determined-in-asia/2011/12/11/gIQAzpMDoO_story.html

Make sure to keep up on all the latest climate news and the Durban Talks

Sara Bayles' Photography Exhibit

On Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Team Marine visited Sara Bayles' Photography exhibit. She collects trash from the same beach (tower 26) for 20 minutes at a time with a goal of 365 non-consecutive days of trash collection. So far, she has collected for 238 days and has gathered 903.9 pounds of trash. After each clean up, she blogs about it on her blog, The Daily Ocean. Team Marine got to see many of the pictures from her clean ups and we got to learn a lot more about her project. This was a very informative event and not only did it show us what an ECO-BEAST Sara is, but it put in perspective how much trash there really is. If one person can collect this much for only 20 minutes at a time, at the same spot, then imagine what can happen if every one person chose a different tower and did the same. Sara is doing a great thing and Team Marine loves it. Check out her blog! : http://thedailyocean.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-10-05T07:47:00-07:00&max-results=3

Posted By: Alexis Saez

Beach Clean Up Party!

Team Marine was among one of the volunteer groups invited to the Surfrider Foundations' 1st Annual, Year-End Volunteer Appreciation Party. The event was held on Saturday, December 3rd from 1pm to 5pm, in conjunction with the final beach clean up of the year. The party was at Dockweiler Beach, at Tower 52. There was delicious organic food, games, and raffle prizes to show appreciation to all the volunteers that have devoted their time to helping our environment. The event was a success, and Team Marine enjoyed themelves.

Posted By: Alexis Saez

A Conversation with Dr. Jane Goodall

On September 24, 2011, a few Team Marine members went to the El Capitan Theater for an exclusive event called "A Conversation with Dr. Jane Goodall" which featured the presentation of the Jane Goodall Leadership Awards. These awards honor individuals/organizations who have the same values and commitment as Dr. Goodall and strive towards making positive differences in the world. The award winners and award titles are listed below:

• Esri - Exellence in Conservation Science
• Adam Anthony of Tanzania and Lauren Gibson of Indiana - Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership
• Renée Gunther - Excellence in Education
• The Walt Disney Company - Corporate Social Responsibilities
• George Miller, U.S. Representative, California, 7th District - Excellence in Public Policy
• Dave Matthews - Responsible Activism in Media and Entertainment

At the event, we got to hear Dr. Goodall, wildlife cameraman Bill Wallauer(host), and Grammy award winner Dave Matthews talk about their past experiences, hardships, and passions. We also got to see Dave Matthews perform his songs "Don't Drink the Water", "Oh", and "Where Are You Going". This event was very informational and inspiring. It gave us Team Mariners a chance to hear about others' contributions to the environment, and it opened our eyes to all the different ways one can help implement change. This was a good event that we all enjoyed, and one lucky Team Marine member even got his T-shirt signed by the Dr. herself!

Here are links to Dave Matthews' performance:

Don't Drink the Water-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNf-wimpNdY

Oh- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxeDDfkaW3A

Where Are You Going- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIP5TjlJUtg

Posted by: Alexis Saez