The Rainbow Warrior has discovered plastic littered throughout the heart of one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, the Verde Island Passage in the Philippines.
A couple years ago, I had the pleasure of teaching a young couple to dive in Thailand on one of my favorite reefs. Weather conditions were perfect, with mild currents and excellent visibility of the stunning topography and bright, vivid corals. Even through the regulator, I could see the smiles on my students’ faces.
We love it when businesses, especially big ones, decide to change their policies to reduce their impact on the planet. In fact, encouraging them to do so is part of why we exist! But sometimes, businesses seem to forget that when they make these promises, they have to actually follow through with genuine, sustained action.
Water samples from our scientific research expedition show that even the most remote and pristine habitats of the Antarctic are contaminated with microplastic waste and persistent hazardous chemicals.
A few weeks ago, Australia took a huge step forward in the fight to protect our oceans from plastic pollution. After enormous public pressure, community organising and hard-hitting campaigning, Australian supermarket giants, Coles and Woolworths both announced – on the same day – that they would ban single-use plastic bags in 2018. An amazing testament to people power.