Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic

by Association Polarquest
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Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic
Polar expedition to free the oceans from plastic

Summary

Plastic makes up the largest quantity of the non-biodegradable material on earth and is a huge environmental concern. It can travel over huge distances from its origin, and accumulate in remote places such as the Poles, a crucial area for the balance of our planet's sustainable future. Last summer Polarquest2018 carried out a record breaking microplastic sampling on the edge of the iceshelf at 82N07'E in the Arctic from a sailboat. This year we are analysing the data and working on solutions.

$83,215
total raised
628
donors
0
monthly donors
2
fundraisers
7
years

Challenge

Microplastics (plastic smaller than 5 millimeters) is an emerging pollutant threatening species at the base of our food chain, from zooplankton up to fish and marine mammals. It affects their feeding behavior and moves from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. Its presence has been reported as far as the Arctic Ocean. In spite of this threat, there are no regulations on microplastics, an urgent need to assess its pollution and lack of awareness worldwide of the gravity of the threat.

Solution

In summer 2018Polarquest explorers and researchers sailed to the Svalbard archipelago on Nanuq, a 60-foot sailboat designed to sail in polar regions, and were the first to sample microplastic at the edge of the Noprt Pole iceshelf. We are sharing our experience with the public through educational events, a photo exhibition and a TV documentary, while scientists are analysing samples. We have are looking for and supporting tangible solutions to replace daily plastic objects with bio-degradables

Long-Term Impact

Our findings will contribute to assess the impact of microplastic on the the marine foodchain and life on the planet. Creating awareness athrough our communication and educational products featuring the unique expedition and disseminating the new scientific results far is a powerful way for making make the Global Goals for sustainable development a reality. We are also supporting new biodegradable daily use objects such as the biostraw microproject, to foster change in our wrong habits.

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources

Organization Information

Association Polarquest

Location: Meyrin, Geneva - Switzerland
Website:
Association Polarquest
Paola Catapano
Project Leader:
Paola Catapano
Meyrin , Switzerland

Funded Project!

Combined with other sources of funding, this project raised enough money to fund the outlined activities and is no longer accepting donations.
   

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