Educational Junk
A Day of Exciting Hands-On Ocean Education Hong Kong’s First True “Junk” Trip
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 4,000,000 tons of garbage reaches the marine environment every year, and about 80% of that is from sources on land. The plastic waste that does not sink is broken down into tiny pieces by sunlight and wave action, forming a ‘plastic soup’ in the center of oceans.
Ocean Recovery Alliance is leading efforts to find solutions to our global marine litter problem, with two global programs launched at the Clinton Global Initiative. The group is now one of the only NGO's to have worked with both UNEP and the World Bank in the context of reducing plastic pollution, and has recently released a new report, funded by UNEP, on Voluntary Plastic Commitments and how to make them more impactful. We are now proud to announce our unique corporate or school day-on-the-water opportunity to gain a first-hand perspective from the experts. Doug Woodring, Founder of Ocean Recovery Alliance and the Plasticity Forums, has over a decade of work on this complex topic, across many stakeholder groups including the business sector, government, multilaterals, sports, education and community engagement. He was awarded the 2018 Prince's Prize for Innovative Philanthropy by Prince Albert of Monaco, an award that was given to the former CEO of Unilever, Paul Polman, a year later. Doug was also recently inducted into the Int'l Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, and has an MBA from the Wharton School, with a MA from Johns Hopkins (SAIS), and a BA from UC Berkeley.
“On the Water with the Ocean Recovery Alliance”
“On the Water with Ocean Recovery Alliance” is literally a “junk” trip, but a unique, hands-on educational experience that goes beyond a typical beach cleanup. The junk used can take up to thirty (30) people, and will travel to the west side of Hong Kong to learn about marine debris, what it means to our ecosystem, and to us. In addition to visual sampling, we will give a seminar about the work that is being done globally, and our efforts with both the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Information on the local ecosystem will also be learned by the participants. This hands-on activity is a unique way to experience aspects of our ocean, and the scenery of Hong Kong, in ways you may not have thought about, and will allow for everyone to learn about our impact on it, and how we can help.
After visual investigations while on the water, the Ocean Recovery Alliance team will give a presentation about plastic debris in the ocean, what it means to Hong Kong, and what we can do to make a difference. Included in the presentation are amazing images taken from the North Pacific Gyre.
This educational junk trip is not just fun, but an exceptional opportunity to learn from some of the leading experts who are working on solutions for the issue of marine litter. It is a great way to see parts of Hong Kong that many might not have been to, and to have an interactive experience that will be sure to have a positive impact upon those involved.
Ocean Recovery Alliance would be pleased to host your company or school on an educational junk trip and day on the beautiful Hong Kong waters. Please contact us for more information on costs and options. The day on the water can also include a visit to the Soko Islands, with the potential to see pink dolphins (this is a full-day trip). Catering on board can also be arranged; otherwise your group is free to organize its own supplies or call in at many of the seafood restaurants on the outlying islands, allowing for a discussion on what type of seafood sold in Hong Kong is sustainable at these locations.
For more information please contact Kai at Ocean Recovery Alliance for more information: kai@oceanrecov.org. Thank you for your continuing support of the health of our ocean!
