If you've paid any attention to the news media over the last five or so years, you have probably heard about the Texas-sized floating pile of Garbage in the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest pile of floating trash in the world.

Today we are going to dive more deeply into the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). What is it really? How did all that trash accumulate in the first place? Can anything be done about it?

Let's start today's activity by doing a quick Google Image search for the GPGP. You will probably find some pretty dramatic images. They will probably look something like the images below (review all the images):

When in reality, this is what the GPGP mostly looks like.

You're going to have to put on your investigative hat to see if you can figure this out for yourself.

I want you to do a "reverse image search" using Google. You might have to do a quick Google search to see how to do it (especially if you have never done it before).

Once you understand the process of a "reverse image search" I want you to do the following:

1. Complete a Google Image search for pictures of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Find very dramatic images - like the ones I showed at the top of this page.

2. Once you find an image that claims to be of the GPGP, do a reverse image search and see if you can find the origin of that picture. Can you verify if your image is actually of the GPGP or do you find evidence that it is really a picture of something else?

3. Do at least three images and record the finding in your notes. It is highly likely that all the pictures that you find on your initial Google Image search for the GPGP are not really pictures of the GPGP.

So, this brings us to an ethical dilemma about using images in reporting of news. Think about the following:

• Would you be more likely to find out more information about the GPGP if you saw a really dramatic picture of trash in the ocean OR if you saw the picture above that looks like a normal picture of the ocean?

• How would you feel if you read a news story about the GPGP, shared the dramatic pictures on social media, tried to organize a campaign to get people to do something about all the trash in the ocean, only to find out later that the pictures you shared were not really pictures of the GPGP?

• How about the opposite situation: What if someone came to you and said we have a huge trash problem in the ocean and we need to do something about it . . . and they showed you the picture of what looks like a normal ocean? How would you react based on that evidence?

If you saw the picture above, and someone told you there was a huge trash problem in the Pacific Ocean, what would you think?

This brings up an interesting ethical dilemma. Is it okay to use "fake" images IF your ultimate goal is to raise awareness for a good cause? Sometimes, when people are trying to raise awareness, they use more dramatic images to grab your attention. It's the entire philosophy behind "click-bait." People will never read your article unless you are able to grab their attention and direct them to your information.

As a consumer of information, the bigger point here is to be aware of what images people are showing you along with the text information they are presenting. People frequently use hyperbolic images to draw you in as well as to strengthen their claim.

To wrap up this activity, answer the following in your notebook:

1. Is it okay to use "fake" images IF your bigger goal is to raise awareness for a good cause?

2. Think about what you do routinely on the Internet. Where else have you seen examples of people using dramatic images (or headlines) to try to draw YOU to their site, page, video, etc. so that you can get additional information.

Rapid Research

Do a quick Rapid Research to understand what we mean, scientifically, by the term "marine debris."

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Rapid Research

Do a quick Rapid Research to understand the following:

1. What is an Ocean Gyre?

2. How do they form?

3. Where are they located?

When finished, visit the NOAA site and the National Geographic sites about gyres.

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Rapid Research

Do a quick Rapid Research to understand the following:

1. What is a Garbage Patch?

2. Where do they form?

3. How many are there around the world?

4. What is the largest Garbage Patch? What is its name? Where is it located?

Rapid Research - How Does Marine Debris End Up in the Ocean?

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The Majestic Plastic Bag

Watch this satirical video about the Majestic California Single Use Shopping Bag that highlights one way plastic can eventually wind up in a garbage patch.

Nurdles

Now that we've taken a satirical look at how marine debris makes it to the ocean, let's take a look at a slightly more series look at how other plastics make it into the ocean.

World's Ocean Litter

Check out this computer model from the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Studies at Florida State University that tracks the path of marine debris through the ocean.

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Rapid Research - Microplastics

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Rapid Research - Environmental Effects

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First, do a quick rapid research and answer the following:

1. What are "International Waters?"

Next, before doing any additional research, what would be your best answers to these questions?

1. Who is responsible for the trash in the GPGP?

2. Should this problem be fixed? If so, why should it be fixed and WHO should fix it? If not, why not?

3. Can we fix this problem? If so, how? How do we stop plastic from getting into the ocean in the first place? How do we clean up the plastic that is already there?

4. Who should pay for any of the mitigation and/or cleanup efforts?

What is the California Coastal Commission?

What is the California Ocean Protection Council?

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Explore the 5 Gyres Institute website.

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Boyan Slat

🎦 Before we get into more detail about the GPGP, I want you to watch the following TEDTalk given by 18-year old Boyen Slat. As we go though this lesson, we will follow Boyen Slat's journey since he has become a key, and controversial, player in the attempt to clean up the GPGP.

The Ocean Cleanup Project

Boyen's Ocean Cleanup organization has grown since this TEDTalk and it is actively seeking to clean up plastic from the Pacific. Before we take a look and see if the Ocean Cleanup project has had any success, let's find out more about the GPGP.

📖 Explore the Great Pacific Garbage Patch page on the Ocean Cleanup website.

📖 When you are finished, check our the UPDATES from the Ocean Cleanup.

Watch this video from Vox about what we have recently learned about the marine plastic that is NOT floating in garbage patches.

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Option #1: Oceana PSA

What this PSA / Call to Action video produced by Oceana, then answer the questions below.

Questions:

1. Who is Oceana? What kind of credibility does the organization hold?

2. List the claims made in this video. What evidence to they provide to back up their claims?

3. What is/are the major call(s) to action in this video?

4. What impact did this video have on you the first time you watched it? After doing some investigating, how has your opinion changed?

5. Finally, would you consider this video a science video or a political video? Explain.

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This information below is for your own enrichment. Fair warning, some (but certainly not all) of the links below can be a bit technical.

Websites

1. National Geographic: Great Pacific Garbage Patch (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/)

2. National Geographic: Ocean Gyres (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/ocean-gyre/)

3. NOAA: Marine Debris Program: What are Garbage Patches? (https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/patch.html)

4. NOAA: What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/garbagepatch.html)

5. NOAA: What is a Gyre? (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/gyre.html)

6. Ocean Literacy (https://aamboceanservice.blob.core.windows.net/oceanservice-prod/education/literacy/ocean_literacy.pdf)

7. Ocean Literacy (https://www.marine-ed.org/ocean-literacy/overview)

8. One World One Ocean. Ocean Heroes: The Plastics Problem: 5 Gyres Institute (https://youtu.be/8BL5o7nRKtE)