Jan. 6, 2018
For decades, Sir David Attenborough has been one of the most powerful voices for conservation. His BBC television specials have brought the natural world — and its fragility — into the lives and living rooms of generations of television viewers. At 91, he has done more to explain to everyday people the importance protecting the environment than any other human.
Attenborough’s newest series, Blue Planet II is an instant hit in Britain, and deserves to be. He is a master story-teller, blending astonishing and haunting images with accessible science. The series begins airing in the US in January.
Earth’s seas are under threats from climate change, plastic pollution and overfishing. These are huge problems that will be complicated to address — but the future of the planet demands that we begin.
One part of that story is the deluge of plastic that ends up in our oceans, polluting our waters and devastating wildlife. Curing that problem, and preventing our throw-away lifestyle from adding to it, is a major challenge.
One artist, Angela Haseltine Pozzi of Bandon, Oregon, aiding by many volunteer helpers, is helping to bring attention to the problem of plastic by creating larger than life, innovative sculptures of sea life — entirely from trash washed up on local beaches. The Washed Ashore Project’s sculptures are colorful and charming, and an indictment of our disregard for the health of the seas.
Visit http://washedashore.org/ for more.
Watching television isn’t the best way to save the planet, but learning from television is a good start. Watch the series, and think about where the plastic that we use everyday ends up.
And next time you’re thirsty, refill your water bottle instead of buying another.
Photos by K. Hoff