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eXXpedition Ascension: Turning the Tide on Plastic

Help me research plastics and biodiversity in the South Atlantic and turn the tide on plastics

eXXpedition Ascension: Turning the Tide on Plastic

Help me research plastics and biodiversity in the South Atlantic and turn the tide on plastics

1 Campaign |

Boston, United States

$514 USD 21 backers

17% of $3,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

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FAQ

Updates 2

Comments 5

Did you know there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic in the oceans?

Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the biggest threats to marine life and ocean health. A study published just this month estimates the 90% of sea birds have consumed plastic and 2050 every sea bird on earth will be consuming it.

Who am I?

My name is Tegan Mortimer; I am a marine biologist and I will be sailing from Senegal to Brazil as a science crew member of eXXpedition Ascension. I will be conducting research on marine plastics and biodiversity in the equatorial South Atlantic.

Why Should you Support me?

Science is a hard sell, it always has been. Science doesn't provide a tangible "thing" you can hold on to after it all and it's very rarely profitable. The science and research I will be conducting on board eXXpedition however will be important. I am partnering with organisations like 5 Gyres, Indigo V Expeditions, and National Geographic and with researchers like Professor Jenna Jambeck from the University of Georgia. These are leaders in their fields who create real change in policy and legislation.

When you think of ocean plastic pollution you might think of the "Giant Pacific Garbage Patch" which is the center of the Pacific gyre where the currents meet and plastic gets "dumped". Plastic pollution is closer to home as well and it occurs in the coastal waters that we use to sail, swim, and fish. I have been studying trash in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary for the past two summer seasons. Over that time my team and I have observed over 600 pieces of trash. The skills I gain through the new (to me) research I'll be conducting in the South Atlantic can be brought home and applied to understanding the risks here.

Education is the key to reducing marine plastic pollution.

80% of plastic pollution comes from land based sources and in the US its the trash that "falls through the cracks". Its the plastic bag on the side walk that blows into a storm drain or the plastic bottle you put in the overflowing trashcan on the beach or the balloon you let float away. Educating children and adults is one of the key ways to reduce the amount of plastic waste that is produced and the amount that could make its way into our oceans. In my position as a whale watch educator I educate over 20,000 people every season about the oceans and its threats. If just 10% of that number stopped using plastic grocery bags just one week a year it would make a huge difference.

“People protect what they love” Jacques Yves Cousteau

eXXpedition will create an engaging and exciting narrative to talk about marine pollution, science, and the environment. Particularly aimed at children and young people it will inspire them to make a change and to rethink how we use plastics in our lives.

What I need and What You Get?

The money raised in this campaign will go to supporting my participation in this important research. It will pay for my right of passage on board our expedition vessel - Sea Dragon- as well as helping me to get to our departure point in Dakar, Senegal and home again from Recife, Brazil.

While I have set my target at $3,000 the total cost of the expedition is closer to $10,000. Any additional funds I raise will go to the create of educational materials and outreach activities after my return from Brazil.

Along the course of the expedition I will provide exclusive updates and photos to all of my supporters. In addition, I will make sure that you're kept up to date on all scientific news and activities so you can see the true outcomes of your support.

We have flooded the ocean with our plastic trash and now is the time to turn the tide.

What are the risks?

I have a proven track record of producing scientific and outreach results. I presented my research on the potential risk of marine plastics to whales at the Ecological Society of America’s Annual Meeting in Baltimore last month and will present further research at the Society of Marine Mammology Biannual Conference in San Francisco later this year.

In 2013 and 2014 I provided educational materials to support Dave Rearick’s solo circumnavigation on board Bodacious Dream. These eleven “Science Notes” covered topics ranging from weather patterns to bird migration and sea bird conservation to glaciers and culminated in an article about the legacy of “voyages of discovery”. They can be viewed here on the Bodacious Dream Expeditions website. I will be writing a further two articles for Bodacious Dream Expedition about my research and experiences on board eXXpedition Ascension and plan to partner with Dave again to provide education content for next year’s Atlantic Cup.

There are always risks associated with this sort of expedition. Every effort has been made in the planning stages to ensure we’re successful in our mission but there are always unexpected and unaccounted for circumstances.

Can't contribute but still want to make a difference?

Turning the tide of ocean plastics is something we can all make a positive impact on.

Carry a reusable water bottle, utensils, or shopping bag so you can refuse these items on a regular basis.
Buy locally or shop for items with minimal packaging so you can reduce plastic waste.
Find other uses for single use items so you can reuse your plastics.
Always make sure you clean and recycle your plastic waste.
Rethink how you use plastic and try to find non-plastic alternatives