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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (May 25, 2018)
May 25, 2018 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 7A PLASTIC POLLUTION A WORLD SECURITY PROBLEM 503-738-9003 LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED Hope and change for our environment By Katherine Lacaze For the Seaside Signal It’s not new information all the world’s continents are connected by water; as a re- sult, however, all civilizations across the globe also share responsibility in curbing the “mammoth problem” of plastic pollu- tion threatening the environment. “This issue is way bigger than us in the United States,” Charlie Plybon, Oregon policy manager with the Surfrider Foun- dation, said during a Listening to the Land lecture at Seaside Library on May 16. Plybon’s presentation, “Plastic Pollu- tion: Acting locally to curb a new world order in ocean pollution,” was the final lecture of the 2018 Listening to the Land series, presented by the Necanicum Wa- tershed Council in partnership with the library. While the current trends related to plastic pollution are worrisome, Plybon’s lecture was not about doom and gloom, but rather “a hope-and-change kind of pre- sentation,” said Chrissy Smith, coordina- tor of the Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve, a North Coast-based volunteer organization. around the mid-21st century. In 1955, Life Magazine ran an article called “Throw- away Living” that celebrated the conve- nience of single-use products and dispos- able items. The consumerism mindset that began proliferating at the time can be summed up in a quote attributed to Victor Lebow, an economist and retail analyst: “Our enormously productive economy de- mands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiri- tual satisfaction and our ego satisfaction in consumption.” “We need things consumed, burned up, worn out, replaced and discarded at an ev- er-increasing rate,” Lebow wrote. The scope of the problem Plybon, who has a degree in marine biology and is a member of the Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Council, shared important statistics, giving listeners a glimpse of the magnitude of the plastic pollution problem. According to a 2016 report called “The New Plastics Economy,” by the El- len MacArthur Foundation and the World Economic Forum, if plastic pollution con- tinues being generated and entering the environment at its current rate, it may out- weigh the total mass of fish in the world’s ocean by 2050. Such a presence of plastic has the power to change entire ecosystems and species, Plybon said. Additionally, multiple studies suggest there are more than 2.25 trillion particles of plastic currently floating in the ocean, and fish off the West Coast ingest more than 12,000 tons of plastic per year. Hu- mans also ingest plastic microfibers, which were found in 83 percent of tap wa- ter samples collected from at least a dozen countries on five continents, according to a study commissioned by data journalism outlet Orb. For the United States, 94 per- cent of water samples were contaminated by plastic. A brief history How did this happen? Plybon shared insight into a cultural shift that transpired KATHERINE LACAZE Charlie Plybon, Surfrider Foundation’s Oregon Policy Manager, gives a presen- tation on plastic pollution May 16 at the Seaside Library. ‘Everything goes one way and into the trash. That’s just not the way we can live. Eventually we will run out.’ Charlie Plybon Such a system is not sustainable, how- ever. Humans cannot exist on a finite plant with linear system, Plybon said. “Everything goes one way and into the trash,” he said. “That’s just not the way we can live. Eventually we will run out.” Solutions such as recycling, inciner- ating, or converting microfibers into syn- thetic fleece are not sufficient, or even effective, in keeping plastic out of the en- vironment. Also, China, the world’s largest importer and recycler of plastic, has imple- mented increasing restrictions on foreign waste in the past couple years; most plastic items — save thin-necked plastic soda and water bottlers — are no longer recyclable in the current system. “Your ‘recycling’ isn’t being recycled,” Plybon said. Solutions in the system Most importantly, people need to con- sider the entire life cycle of the items they consume, and ask themselves. “Be aware of what you’re buying, and be aware of where it’s going to go,” Ply- bon said. “If it’s single-use and it’s plas- tic, it doesn’t make sense for it be around forever after you used it once.” In addition to consuming less in gen- eral, individuals can switch to alternatives and embrace a bring-your-own culture, using reusable mugs, water bottles, to-go containers, straws, storage bags, jars, and more. Buying in bulk is not only afford- able but also allows people to avoid the wasteful packaging that often accompa- nies single-serve food products. The next step is finding communi- ty solutions, such as setting zero-plastic waste goals at schools or workplaces; conducting educational events to raise awareness; holding outdoor cleanups; implementing local plastic-reduction policies; creating bans on plastic bags or polystyrene; or putting together a munic- ipal plastics solution committee. Advo- cates can engage large-scale suppliers to ensure nonplastic alternatives are acces- sible and affordable for restaurants and other businesses. The Surfrider Foundation recently launched its Ocean Friendly Restaurants certification program in Oregon, giving restaurants a way to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. To partic- ipate in the program, restaurants must follow four criteria: No using expanded polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam); following proper recycling practices; us- ing reusable tableware for onsite dining and only providing disposable utensils for takeout food upon request; and no offering plastic bags for takeout orders. Additionally, restaurants must choose a minimum of three other criteria from a set of six. Finally, individuals need to take their concerns about plastic pollution directly to the companies producing the items — the first point of the linear system. The world’s largest corporations make more money than most countries, and that de- pends on consumerism and constant buy- ing. Engaging irresponsible companies through letter-writing campaigns, phone calls, or strikes, and supporting compa- nies with responsible practices can lead to tangible results, Plybon said. “We are the ones that can be empow- ered,” he added. “If we want to change the system we’re in now, we have to be advocating at a higher level.” The Listening to the Land speaker se- ries offered January through May, with presentations held the third Wednesday of every month at the library. The program, which is free and open to the public, is finished for 2018 and will resume in Jan- uary 2019. 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DAY F REE E STIMATES (503) 338-5780 Warrenton, Oregon Licensed Bonded Insured CCB# 214256 WA#QUALITR831PO CONSTRUCTION Radio station gets new ownership Jacobs grew up in East- ern Oregon and vacationed throughout the coast. He started in radio at age 12 and By R.J. Marx studied broadcasting at the Seaside Signal College of La Grande, now Eastern Oregon University. Gearhart-based radio sta- Joining a local radio station, tion 93.3 KEUB-FM will de- he learned the ropes of radio but this month as “The Rock,” broadcasting and climbed the catering to men who like tra- management ranks. ditional rock, grunge, hair Jacobs Radio was launched bands and alternative music. in 2001 and Jacobs purchased “No one is super-serving his first radio station in 2005. the males between 18 and 49 “The Rock” will be the years old,” said company’s Jeff Jacobs, eighth station the new own- in Washington er. “In general, state and Ore- gon, with affil- no one’s really iates covering taking care of areas between that age group, the Tri-Cities, which is nearly Hermiston, half of the pop- ulation of the Moses Lake, county. What Wenatchee and we’ve devised The Dalles. is a perfect fit A n o t h - R.J. MARX er company for this.” A c c o r d i n g Radio station owner owned by Ja- to the industry Jeff Jacobs at the Shilo cobs, doing publication Ra- Oceanfront Inn in Sea- business as dio and Busi- side. Jacobs announced Tri-Cities Bill- ness Report, Ra- his purchase of 93.3 FM. board, markets dio Beam LLC mobile bill- sold KEUB to Jacobs Radio boards throughout the North- Programming for $80,000 in west. A mutual friend helped late March. Reassignment of the license is scheduled to broker the radio station deal with owner Ernie Hopseker, take place before September. Jacobs and his staff hosted who is retiring, Jacobs said. an introductory cocktail party Studios and facilities will Friday at the Shilo Oceanfront be in Gearhart Plaza on U.S. Highway 101, with towers on Inn. Aims for men 18 to 49 years old Tillamook Head and in Asto- ria. Radio hosts will include Twitch in the morning, Mar- coni at night, and “rock chick extraordinaire” Robbie Knight. A Memorial Day kickoff is planned, with a range from Cannon Beach to Astoria. “It’s modern rock with a lot of bands people will know,” Jacobs said. “It’s not going to be a classic rock — but you might hear Zeppelin. You’ve got kids now who even though they weren’t anywhere near around Zep- pelin or anything, they like it because it’s new to them.” Randall Lee’s 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE Window Treatments, Fabric, Designer Wallpaper, Visit Our Counter Tops, All Flooring and Miele Vacuums Outlet! 2311 N. 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