Solo
Ocean Harmony__1.0
- 29/01/2024 - 31/03/2024
[Lam Zi Wei] is participating in Ocean Harmony 1.0
and is fundraising for
AIESEC Malaysia Association (Taylor's University)
The ocean contains more than 97% of the world's water. Let's not turn it into a sea of plastic by doing YOUR part to save the future!
My Story
Hey there! I'm a student at Taylor's University, who is currently volunteering in the project Ocean Harmony within AIESEC and The Sea Monkey Project. This project focuses on reducing plastic pollution and promoting a cleaner and safer ocean for both marine life and us, humans. Do you know since the invention of plastic some hundred years ago, the world has produced about 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics? Among this figure, 9% was recycled, 12% was burnt, and the remaining 79% had been sticking around. Well, for sure, these plastic wastes were out of sight, but they were never really out of mind...A majority of them end up in the ocean. In fact, around 8 million tons of plastic get into the ocean per year. At this rate, there will be so much plastic that it will outweigh all the fish in the ocean by 2050!
Yet, even now, a vast majority of animals are already suffering from plastic pollution. Approximately 100,000 marine animals died from being strangled by plastics. Apart from that, animals also risk the danger of swallowing and consuming indigestible trash. As in 2018, a dead sperm whale, which had consumed more than 32 kilograms of plastic bags and nets washed up in Spain. This shows the unforeseen impact plastic has caused. However, this is not the end.
Plastics also goes up the food chain and onto our plates. Plastic wastes, which are exposed to constant UV radiation, emit microplastics that are technically invisible by naked human eye. This form of plastic is taken in by zooplanktons, which are later eaten by smaller fishes, oysters, crabs, and predatory fishes. As such, in one way or the other, we are consuming toxic wastes created by our very own hands. While research on this topic has not been advanced, it was estimated that the chemical substances that are added to plastics, such as BPA and DEHP has effect of interfering the human's hormone system and increasing the risk of cancer,
That being said, while we certainly could not reverse the effect plastic has caused, we could reduce the impact from now on. Aside from the conventional strategies of practicing 3Rs, an effective way to help out would be working with our opportunity provider, The Sea Monkey Project. This social enterprise focuses on reducing plastic wastes by upcycling discarded plastics into purposeful and aesthetic products. Meantime, they have also been working on some amazing machines which could help with reusing plastics and protecting the ocean. As of 2023, approximately 200 such machines have been placed in more than 20 countries around the world. Nonetheless, it could always be expected that running such a business is not easy. Thus, this page seeks to raise funds to support the meaningful and inspiring work of The Sea Monkey Project. Indeed, one small step might be insufficient, but together we can make a difference.
Thank you for reading through. The project team and I sincerely appreciate each and every of your support!
Recent Donors
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Anonymous
MYR 200 02/19/2024 10:36:14 AM UTC