New Developments in the Fight for Clean Water New Developments in the Fight for Clean Water by Declan Kaasler Restoring What Was Lost Before the arrival of European settlers in the 17th century to what is now New York City, the native Lenape people enjoyed clear and pristine waterways. They survived in part thanks to its now-vanished biodiversity. The waters which today carry cruise ships and recreational yachts, were once the home of seals, sturgeons, oysters, and countless other marine organisms. They eventually vanished, along with the rest of that natural world. Beginning in the 18th cent ..read more

High Surf Wreaks Havoc Along California Coast   By Declan Kaasler Flooding in California Today The Bay Area and Southern parts of the state are bracing for flooding in California today. Warmer than average North Pacific Ocean temperatures combined with an atmospheric river bringing wind toward the mountains. In addition, the timing after another storm means this storm is a recipe for disaster.  This weekend, it is likely folks will see flooding in California today as well as mudslides, landslides, 60 mph winds, and possible evacuations. Already, residents in parts of Ventura County ..read more

Glass vs. Plastic Bottles: From Waste to Worth   Glass vs. plastic bottles; What are they? How are they made? What is their environmental impact? In this article, we will explore how these common bottle materials affect our planet. So, we will look at how glass and plastic bottles are made, used, and thrown away. We’ll see which one is better for the environment by looking at how they can be recycled and how they impact nature. Learning about how glass and plastic bottles go from trash to something useful can help us make better choices between glass vs. plastic bottles for our planet! W ..read more

20 Ways To Save The Ocean & How To Start Your Own       By Randy Budde Thanks to our leaders and volunteers, recent Ocean Blue Project CleanUps have been taking place in several places across the country. Read on to learn more about these events. Plus, find out how you can join an upcoming Clean Up or create your own event.  Clean Up Recap   In recent weeks, Ocean Blue Project has led several CleanUps. Following are some of the highlights from these recent events.  FINRA Employees’ CleanUp Event in Deerfield Beach, Florida On January 30, 2023, FINRA employe ..read more

How Many Whales Die From Plastic Each Year? By Lauren Orme  Whales are the most intelligent creatures in the ocean. The biggest whale, the blue whale, is the largest animal to have ever lived on our planet (bigger than any of the dinosaurs!). Whales sing,  mourn their dead, and even have their own names (Center for Biological Diversity). Because of their size and superior intelligence, whales are rarely the prey of other animals. But because of humans, a new “predator” has been killing whales in growing numbers—plastic.  How Many Whales Die Each Year? Between December 2022 and ..read more

Thriving Ecosystem Found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: What it Means for Clean Up Introduction: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch  The Great Pacific Garbage Patch sits in a broad expanse of ocean between California and Hawaii. Currents swirl around a large area, and the flows create a relatively calm center in which marine debris becomes stuck (see our ocean currents page to learn more about these currents and why they’re important).   By all accounts, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is massive. In Scientific Reports volume 8 (Article number 4666), scientists estimated that the p ..read more

Exploring the Beauty of Havasu Creek: A Nature Lover’s Paradise Imagine a place where time seems to stand still, where the gentle melody of flowing water mingles with the rustling leaves of lush vegetation. Welcome to Havasu Creek, a hidden gem nestled deep within the heart of the Grand Canyon. In this blog post, we’re going to take you on a virtual journey to this natural wonder, unraveling its captivating beauty and the wonders it holds. So grab your virtual hiking boots and let’s dive into the enchanting world of Havasu Creek. A Nature Lover’s Haven Havasu Creek is a mesmerizing oasis tha ..read more

Plastic Trash in the Ocean is a Global Problem, and the U.S. is the Top Source – type of article Paper or Plastic? By M. Paultz Paper or plastic? This was a common question at the grocery store. When I was a kid and would go grocery shopping with my mother, this was always the problem. Should we be good to the environment and get a paper bag, or use the more convenient plastic bag? We would often choose the hidden, worse option: a paper bag inside a plastic one. Eventually, the grocery stores only offered plastic bags.  It shows that businesses will use what is convenient and cheap. Busi ..read more

Over 1 Million Gallons of Sewage Leaks Into Newport Oregon Ocean (Newport, Oregon) – Water Hazard Update for Newport, Oregon at Nye Beach. On July 9th, 2023, up to 1,180,000 tons of untreated waste water overflowed into the Pacific Ocean. The City of Newport, Oregon’s Wastewater Treatment Plant malfunctioned and by not working correctly, untreated water flowed from pipes to the Ocean. The amount of total sewage is unknown. However, we do know the outflow was untreated waste water. The waters at and around Nye Beach may be unhealthy for some time into the future. However, the date and length o ..read more

The 4 Best Beaches in New England to Visit This Summer 2023 Best Beaches In New England By Jeff Knese Lakes, forests, mountains, and rocky coastline may be the first things that come to mind when thinking about New England. Florida, California, and South Carolina are usually more associated with a beach environment. While those beaches are tantalizing, you don’t want to sleep on New England beaches—and we’ll show you why! While not the first place that comes to mind, beaches and coastal parks in New England have everything you could want in a beach experience. Being lower on the radar of the ..read more