I noticed some of the articles posted to the blog were
focused on the curbing of using plastics to help the environment, but none of
the articles discussed how we are cleaning up the plastic that is already in
our environment. Even in Carson’s novel the focus was on bringing attention to
the dangerous use of pesticides, but didn’t approach ways that we could begin
to address the damage already done. So, now that the world is beginning to truly
understand the extent of the devastation we are causing to the environment, how
do we address what damage has already been done?
This article takes this question and offers a unique
solution to cleaning up the ocean- the System 001. This 2,000 ft “floating barrier”
is designed to flow with the currents to areas that have higher plastic
concentration and trap the plastic. While this is the first launching of such
an invention, there are high hopes that this will be effective in reducing
pollution in the ocean without harming the sea life.
- What implications does this new invention have for the future of cleaning up our environment? Could something similar be the solution to other problems?
- Do you see any potential problems with the System 001?
- The article states that there still is no concrete solution for what to do with the plastic once it is retrieved from the ocean. What are some ways we could deal with or use this plastic?
I thought this article was very helpful in showing how the problem of plastic waste can be fixed. The fact that more plastic than fish could be in the ocean in a few years shows just how much we need to find solutions to this problem. The “System 001” shows potential for helping in this problem, and Slat even shows that he has thought of everything when he explains that the fish cannot become entrapped in this “System 001.” I believe this system could help mend the problem we are having, but the plastic waste buildup cannot solely be solved from “System 001.” People will have to reduce the plastic they use in conjunction with removing the plastic that is already in the ocean. Similar systems may be able to control air pollution or water pollution, but I am not sure how effective this would be. In regard to the plastic obtained from the ocean by the invention, the plastic could be used in a similar way to Abigail’s previous article. The plastic could be made into sculptures and other works of art to display the effects of our plastic use on the environment and subsequently raise awareness.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the strongest part of this article was the the discussion of "micro plastics." In Environmental Science discourse, there is oftentimes talk of plastic's inability to break down used to strengthen the argument that we should not use it. But this also works the other way, seeing that many people thing of the plastic in the ocean as something unchangeable, unlike chemical or biodegradable waste. Talking about micro plastic as a ticking time bomb for destroying our most vital nonrenewable resource seems to make the whole movement more time sensitive. One implication of this new technology is that it is completely autonomous and works without needed electricity. This makes it far more eco friendly and helps it receive much more support from the environmentally conscious community. I do not see any problems with this system, but I read a Wired article that said that many engineers are questioning the efficiency of this idea. But I like how the its called the "System 001," which is a nod to its own newness. I think it will be interesting to see how new generations of engineers and environmentally conscious people take on these problems.
ReplyDeleteI think this article, and Slat himself, do a lot of great things. This invention represents the beginning of many alternatives and projects towards the goal of finding the most efficient method(s) of removing plastic from the marine ecosystems. Obviously there will be many problems, but it seems that Slat is very open to all suggestions and adjustments, which is always promising, because who wants a close-minded person trying to counter pollution? I worry mostly about marine life, but clearly he is also considering the potential implications and is working towards making his device safe for fish (although I am still very confused on how hes avoiding them being capture??). I also like his and Margaret's ideas for reusing and recycling plastics, and ultimately avoiding the creation and problematic disposal of single use plastics returning into the environment. I truly think this is promising, but definitely the beginning of a long ride, its name is System 001 not System 1000 for a reason of course.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much plastic in the ocean that repurposing it or using it to create art wouldn't even make a dent. I think in someone's article last time the artist acknowledged that; the point of the art is to raise awareness, not to clean up the ocean. I heard something a while back about developing microorganisms that can digest plastic. I just looked it up again and they're still being analyzed in order to see if we can speed up their digestion of the plastic. It's still not a solution at this time. (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/plastic-eating-bacteria-chemist-science-pollution-pet-recycling-a8311811.html, if you're interested). As important as plastic cleanup is, it's pretty much completely useless if we keep dumping off more, Reducing plastic use in the first place is really what needs to be focused on. If not, we're just bailing a ship with a shot glass that has a basketball size hole.
ReplyDeleteI like how this article provided a solution to the plastic waste build up in our ocean because there have been many articles discussing the issue but never actually providing a solution. In the video within the article, Boyan Salt said we must understand the problem to be able to deal with the problem, which is something I really have never thought about. I think the “System 001” is a great start to cleaning up our plastic waste, but what are we going to do with all the collected plastic? Margaret mentioned Abigail’s previous article about turning plastic into sculptures, which is a great idea to help raise awareness, but building plastic sculptures will only go so far.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very interesting and it gives me some hope! Ideally, if Slat's invention makes a notable difference, people will be inspired to keep coming up with similarly helpful ideas that can be implemented into the real world, and hopefully sooner than later because, as he says, this is a time-sensitive task. If it is effective enough, the best case scenario would be that capable governments would pour funding into groups protecting the environment who could then expand the reach of these clean-up devices. However, I doubt that something terribly similar would be applicable to cleaning up the land or the air because its design is specific to water.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Slat has totally thought through the design; he certainly has made a point to avoid building it with netting so that fish are not caught in it, but that may not be the only issue. It is wise that they are testing the invention before implementing several of them, and it's especially exciting that the device travels with the current rather than needing a disruptive propeller or fuel.
I think it is important that they avoid making single-use products out of the recycled plastic, so I'm happy to see that they've already considered it. If they plan to sell objects made of the recycled plastic, as much of that money as possible should go back into the project. Otherwise, it would be good to make useful items that can be donated to those in communities recently impacted by natural disasters. That would help alleviate more problems caused by climate change.
The potential problems that I could see with System 001 is that it might disturb the habitats of some animals. Even though fish cannot get caught in it, there’s still other types of wildlife that can. Then again, this problem is minuscule when compared to the good that this technology can do. The implications that this new technology can have for the future of cleaning up the environment is that, if designed right, it could help control air pollution levels. Other ways that we could utilize this buildup of plastic in the ocean is that we could collect and recycle it, or Abigal’s solution: turning it into sculptures.
ReplyDeleteI think that Slat's idea brings some great jumping off points. However, my true concern lies with the Pacific ocean wildlife that are not just below the surface. For example, whales can surface when trying to collect small fish like minnows who hang out closer to the "sunlight zone," which means that if a whale surfaces near this area it could likely collect a mouth full of garbage too. In order to use Slat's plan there would have to be very regularly scheduled clean up, otherwise thousands of species will be more at risk. Once the plastic is retrieved, I think we need to find some chemical process to break it down, where the product is not something equally as damaging. Or, turn it into some kind of use for construction, be it broken down to create some kind of insulation, etc. Plastic should be outlawed in general, truly its only benefit is how cheap it is, and it allows us to cut corners, but at this point it is speeding along the process of demolishing the earth.
ReplyDeleteI think it's actually tragically ironic to think about how System 001 is like a garbage truck for the ocean...when we already have garbage trucks for land. That we have garbage trucks but have such filth all over the world suggests to say that the problem lies in us, and the focus should be reducing waste so it doesn't end up in the trash in the first place. I actually saw a TEDtalk by an environmentalist, David Katz, who argues that the last thing we should do is clean up plastic from the ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT4Qbp89nIQ). He has created The Plastic Bank, where people in poor countries can exchange plastic for things they need, from cellphones to school tuition. While I think The Plastic Bank is a helpful tool for the places where they are located, I think a better solution is targeting big companies like Starbucks, Coca Cola, and Henkel, etc. to reduce their environmental footprint.
ReplyDeleteA potential problem that System 001 might have is making sure none of the plastic escapes, which would defeat the system's purpose. I do see potential in it though, as every new big experiment takes a bit of time to get running flawlessly. In terms of what to do with the plastic, I think that's a question that scientists all over the world are asking. Recycling would be a good start, but plastic can only be recycled so many times, as their polymers are reduced each time and eventually the recycled plastic also becomes trash. I know some places thrive on landfills, so maybe the plastic can be used to create some new islands.