Page 20 - Demo

20 || FITNESS MAGAZINE || AUGUST 2015FMM: You directed and produced your first feature-length documentary, Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, examining the plastic pollution in the oceans and its effects on the environment, marine life, and ultimately humans. Have you heard of The Ocean Cleanup, and what do you think about the related technology?AS: I have heard of the ocean clean up, and although I think it is good in theory, I simply do not believe that is a plausible idea. I think it is harder to create social awareness and change our habits so it%u2019s much easier for people to imagine a machine that may be able to scoop up all the plastic. Ocean plastics are deep in the water column and the way it%u2019s designed it only skims the first few meters at the surface. Weather elements will break down the collectors quickly as ocean conditions are constantly changing, and this will harm wildlife. Recyclers don%u2019t want ocean plastic in the first place because it is hard to re-use unlike glass or aluminum, since the components that make up plastic breaks down. It%u2019s better to keep plastic out of the ocean in the first place by REFUSING single use plastic. Just say no and bring your own bottle or bag is a start. There%u2019s a great concise article about this that sums it up here: http://www.kcet.org/news/redefine/reduce/plastics/6-reasons-that-floating-oceanplastic-cleanup-thing-is-a-really-bad-idea.htmlFMM: You have traveled to over 40 countries and studied abroad in Australia at the University of New South Wales. You%u2019re a contributing