Plastic Pollution

by Justin Sather

In Kindergarten, I learned frogs were dying from pollution, pesticides, and people cutting down their homes. I also learned frogs are indicator species because they breath and drink through their skin so they are sensitive to their environment. I had an idea to help so I started cleaning the Ballona Wetlands and Ballona Creek. Then, I met legendary Dr. Jane Goodall and she asked me to expand my project to plastic pollution. She said if we don’t change, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.

I started to learn about the dangers of plastic pollution and how it is hurting other animals and people too. I also met pen pals around the world. They told me in Africa they have no clean water to drink so they drink plastic bottled water. And they have no recycling centers so people illegally dump their plastic bottles and it goes into the rivers and oceans. All the plastic is creating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

There are now 5 garbage patches.

When I learned about The Interceptor, I thought it was a good start. I am working with Team Seas and The Interceptor in the Dominican Republic. Each dollar I raise collects one pound of trash and plastic from our rivers, beaches, and oceans. Now I am excited to get The Interceptor to The Ballona Creek in Los Angeles. I have been collecting letters from my friends at school. They all want clean rivers, beaches, and oceans. I’ll continue to do my part to teach kids to use less plastic and use reusable items. And next I’m working to create change with businesses and the government too.