Round the World Plastic Pollution Research trip
Donation protected
In 2020 I will be sailing from Vanuatu to Cairns with an incredible team of women researching the effects of plastic pollution on our oceans. In a bid to raise awareness about the atrocities our oceans are currently suffering we will be connecting with the local communities and sharing information on what plastic pollution is doing to both our earth and us.
As a recent graduate from a bachelor of Environmental Management with a major in Sustainability and Human Geography, this issue lies close to my heart. Throughout my studies, I have had the privilege to undertake research in developing countries and to see people, especially children, integrating used single-use plastics into their daily lives as toys as though this is what we should expect to be the norm is heartbreaking. Not only do these types of plastics contaminate their local environment but it also impacts their food sources which they so heavily rely on. As someone who grew up on the land, in rural Australia, I have first hand witnessed how beautiful our natural environment is, and how important clean water and land is when you are self-sufficient. I can only imagine how much more important it is when you are based on the coastline. Personally, for me, research and outreach trips such as this are a way for me to give back to my community, to help educate on the effects of plastic pollution while also learning from and connecting to individuals, building a network of relationships wherever I go.
In a bid to help ease the financial weight that a trip such as this has placed upon my pocket I thought I would reach out to the community, my family and friends, to help get me aboard. While the funds would directly benefit me yes, they also contribute to our ability to undertake research while on board, they allow us to build a community of onlookers and supporters while we navigate the seas. Each and every person reading this is now somehow involved in this story, and a story like this has the ability to literally connect people across the globe. Research trips such as this allow us to build towards a common goal of ensuring our lives on the land do not create even more irreversible damage. It is in times such as now, where how we live our lives so directly impacts the future of life on earth, that research and outreach trips such as this are needed.
How can you help?
Any sort of contribution, loose change even, would be greatly appreciated and help me to set sail. However, your well wishes are something I truly desire, my very own family of like-minded, environmentally conscious individuals, who I am able to represent on the high seas. I would LOVE for my family and friends to follow this epic journey that I am beginning. So, please feel free to follow on The Terra Project
What does the trip encompass you may be wondering?
The final leg across the South Pacific will be sure to deliver excitement! Starting in Vanuatu, we will work with a local community group to find out more about the plastic pollution issues on the islands. Vanuatu is a mountainous archipelago and will provide a stunning backdrop to our onshore activities.
We will sail West 1300 nautical miles to Cairns, Australia and continue our scientific research whilst at sea, deploying the manta trawl to collect sea surface samples and even managing to process some of these on board. We will be offshore for 10 days and during this time we will skirt the bioregion of the Coral Sea, a marginal sea stretching 2000km down the North East coast of Australia.
When we reach land we will head into Cairns to share tales from our crossing and raise awareness about the impact that plastic pollution is having on our oceans and on us.
As a recent graduate from a bachelor of Environmental Management with a major in Sustainability and Human Geography, this issue lies close to my heart. Throughout my studies, I have had the privilege to undertake research in developing countries and to see people, especially children, integrating used single-use plastics into their daily lives as toys as though this is what we should expect to be the norm is heartbreaking. Not only do these types of plastics contaminate their local environment but it also impacts their food sources which they so heavily rely on. As someone who grew up on the land, in rural Australia, I have first hand witnessed how beautiful our natural environment is, and how important clean water and land is when you are self-sufficient. I can only imagine how much more important it is when you are based on the coastline. Personally, for me, research and outreach trips such as this are a way for me to give back to my community, to help educate on the effects of plastic pollution while also learning from and connecting to individuals, building a network of relationships wherever I go.
In a bid to help ease the financial weight that a trip such as this has placed upon my pocket I thought I would reach out to the community, my family and friends, to help get me aboard. While the funds would directly benefit me yes, they also contribute to our ability to undertake research while on board, they allow us to build a community of onlookers and supporters while we navigate the seas. Each and every person reading this is now somehow involved in this story, and a story like this has the ability to literally connect people across the globe. Research trips such as this allow us to build towards a common goal of ensuring our lives on the land do not create even more irreversible damage. It is in times such as now, where how we live our lives so directly impacts the future of life on earth, that research and outreach trips such as this are needed.
How can you help?
Any sort of contribution, loose change even, would be greatly appreciated and help me to set sail. However, your well wishes are something I truly desire, my very own family of like-minded, environmentally conscious individuals, who I am able to represent on the high seas. I would LOVE for my family and friends to follow this epic journey that I am beginning. So, please feel free to follow on The Terra Project
What does the trip encompass you may be wondering?
The final leg across the South Pacific will be sure to deliver excitement! Starting in Vanuatu, we will work with a local community group to find out more about the plastic pollution issues on the islands. Vanuatu is a mountainous archipelago and will provide a stunning backdrop to our onshore activities.
We will sail West 1300 nautical miles to Cairns, Australia and continue our scientific research whilst at sea, deploying the manta trawl to collect sea surface samples and even managing to process some of these on board. We will be offshore for 10 days and during this time we will skirt the bioregion of the Coral Sea, a marginal sea stretching 2000km down the North East coast of Australia.
When we reach land we will head into Cairns to share tales from our crossing and raise awareness about the impact that plastic pollution is having on our oceans and on us.
Organizer
Rachael Walshe
Organizer
Clifton Beach QLD
