If one thing that the world has learned from flight 370

[Separation]

After flying for 14 years in the Coast Guard I was always surprised about the amount of debris in the ocean. I'm not talking about driftwood or floating trees, Im talking about cargo containers, 55 gallon drums, abandoned ships, etc. We did a search and rescue case one time in the Kenai Peninsula looking for an overdue boat. We spotted along the shore what was probably 20-30,000 pairs of shoes. Obviously a container of shoes got washed overboard. Overall shoes has always been the most abundant jetsam floating about.

So I would say at least now the world is getting a clue to just how dirty and filled with junk that the ocean has.

[geomon666]

1. We've treated this planet like a toilet

since the dawn of man.

[RKP5637]

2. Exactly! We're living in a cesspool that's slowly filling up. n/t

[medeak]

13. 10,000 containers fall off ships per year

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2011/04/19/deep-cargo-an-ocean-of-lost-shipping-containers/

husband and I pick up plastic washed up every day and reading this makes it feel futile

[malaise]

3. Human beings are both irresponsible and nasty

The vast majority of us have no respect for this planet - it's all about self.

[Agnosticsherbet]

4. We are the only species I know of that does not have other species evolved to eat our crap.

When a bear shits in the woods, there are creatures that live off the bear donation. Perhaps we should develop items of regular use that feed the animals when they are no longer needed, or when tossed aside.

[whathehell]

6. Interesting observation,..

They do have these things called "compost toilets".

[Agnosticsherbet]

7. I am more intersted in things like shoes, and other waste.

A species developed for no other purpose than to eat old shoes left out, or digest 55 gallon drums, or even return old factories to their natural condition. The crap we leave behind is much, much larger than what we deposit in a toilet.

[whathehell]

10. I get you..

What we've done to the ocean, as well as much of the rest of the natural world IS a tragedy.

I almost cried when I first read about penguins with plastic waste wrapped around their necks.

[mike_c]

18. LOL-- I can't help it-- that is LITERALLY not true....

Your (and my) colon is FILLED with them.

I know that's not what you meant, but still. Could. Not. Stop.

[Jesus Malverde]

19. Link to consumer of bear shit please,

most feces goes to ground or is eaten by insects, what animal lives off bear poop?

[CrispyQ]

5. At some point our nest will be so fouled that even the rich won't be able to escape it.

The pinnacle of creation, indeed.

[CatWoman]

8. very good post

[marions ghost]

9. Some of the islands

that people love to go on vacation to--junk is constantly washing up. One of the most common things in the ocean -- plastic crates.

[cui bono]

11. k n r

[Populist_Prole]

12. What I learned is that MSM news is the absolute worst place to get informed

Even factoring in that they are 24/7 for-profit ventures, they really really outdid themselves with the hype and speculation just to reap some coverage bonanza.

[Aerows]

16. I hadn't read your post before I posted mine

but that is another thing I've learned. When a CNN anchor asked a Transportation Official with a straight face if "black holes or something similar to the Bermuda triangle was possible" and she looked at him like she was trying to figure out how to tell him that she had never heard such stupidity in her life, I knew it was all over.

[Beartracks]

17. Maybe it got raptured?

Just askin.'



=================

[Aerows]

14. We've also learned

that CNN is absolutely crazy.

But yes, the pollution in the ocean is astonishing. Why are shoes so abundant? Is it because they are designed to be resilient?

[Logical]

15. Good post! n-t

[Cha]

20. EXcellent.. thanks Separation