Fundraiser: Ocean Plastic Relay #Dayof30
THE DAY OF 30 IS FINALLY HERE! Due to the overwhelming support & enthusiasm, we' decided to turn the event into a week of 30-somethings so that individuals, regardless of where they are in the world or what their skill set is, can get involved!
Lynton Mortensen’s incredible Lord Howe Island circumnavigation swim (30km, hence #Dayof30) is tentatively scheduled for 10 February 2021 (this Wednesday).
"This Wednesday, providing the weather & Poseidon play nice, I will attempt a 30km circumnavigation swim around Lord Howe Island, out in the middle of the Pacific. I have the incredible privilege of teaming up with Drs Jennifer Lavers, Ian Hutton and Alexander Bond, Researchers with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania and the Adrift Lab team."
You can be part of this extraordinary Ocean Plastic Relay #Dayof30 (without getting wet) – and contribute to our seabird/plastics research! While Lynton is punching out a 30km swim circumnavigating Lord Howe Island, back on land, Adrift Lab staff and students will be completing all of the following (and more!)
- Dr Lavers and the Adrift Lab students (based in Hobart) are removing 300 invasive weeds alongside City of Hobart Bushcare (photos below)
- Jennifer & PhD student Lillian propagated 300 new (baby) native trees alongside the Australian Native Plant Society (photos below)
- IMAS adjunct, Dr Alex Bond, will run 30km (in the middle of London’s winter, no less!)
- Adrift Lab collaborator (and UTAS staff member), Dr Jack Auty, is collecting 30 pieces of plastic per day from Seven Mile Beach
- Adrift Lab alumni, Vincent Yap, is collecting 30 pieces of plastic per day this week from his neighborhood in Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia.
We are calling it the #Dayof30 where everyone can join in and do “30 something” that will help the environment & your health - pick up 30 pieces of rubbish, walk 30 (or 300) steps, plant 30 trees, ride run or walk 30 km - it's your 30, be as imaginative as you like!
As with all of Lynton’s big swims, he’s raising funds for a charitable cause. Adrift Lab’s seabird & plastics research are very fortunate to be the 2021 beneficiaries of this very generous act. Tax deductible donations can be made here: www.utasalumni.org.au/utas-giving/ocean-plastics-relay or here https://tinyurl.com/Day-of-30 .
Some background information and statements which Lynton compiled for this campaign - the amount of plastic in the ocean is critical and dire. By 2050 it is predicted there will be more plastic in the ocean than marine life and plants. Some confronting and sobering ocean plastic statistics:
- There is now more micro plastic floating in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way.
- It takes over 1,000 years for many plastic items (e.g., bottles, cutlery) to degrade.
- 100% of sea turtles worldwide are affected by plastic
- 80% of plastic in the ocean is land-based (e.g, storm water run off)
It’s been a tough 12 months for everyone around the world but if you can make a donation, no matter how small (it all helps), it would go a long way to supporting the research undertaken by Adrift Lab. Alternatively, if you are not able to make a donation, think of a tangible contribution by making changes in your use of plastics usage with environmentally friendly alternatives (eg: don’t use single use plastics such as straws/cutlery, buy a bamboo tooth brush. Every bit counts.
Importantly, Lynton’s swim will be supported by Lord Howe locals Jack Shick of Sea to Summit Expeditions and endurance kayaker Daniel Clegg. Our gratitude to Jack and Daniel, and the Island community, for supporting this incredible initiative!