Long Beach, CA (August 11, 2024) – ASEZ WAO, an international volunteer service group that consists of the Church of God young adult workers from 7,500 churches in 175 countries, hosted the “No More GPGP” Forum at the Aquarium of the Pacific to raise awareness about the issue of plastic consumption and pollution. An expert panel identified the challenges the GPGP presents and discussed why it is important for all people to take part in cleaning it up.
GPGP is Great Pacific Garbage Patch
GPGP is an acronym for Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is a vast concentration of mostly plastic trash and debris floating in the Pacific Ocean. At an estimated 1.6 million square km, the patch spans an area two times the size of Texas. Though plastics are all around us and a convenient part of our daily lives; not everyone realizes the major threat they pose to the health of the earth. When plastics in the ocean are subjected to UV rays and constant friction from ocean waves, they easily break down into microplastics. These harm marine life and eventually humans, through food chain consumption.
Panel Discussion
Captain Charles J. Moore, an oceanographer and discoverer of the GPGP, emphasized the importance of creating a sustainable cleanup effort that continually echoes the love of a mother for the oceans and our environment. Dr. Karla Heidelberg, Director of USC Seagrant, spoke of the great influence young adults can have in getting others to take action, which even scientist find challenging at times.
Along with Dr. Travis Williams, a Professor of Chemistry at USC, who championed the need to have difficult conversations and create value out of our supply chain, Dr. Win Cowger of the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research spoke of the need to have a paradigm shift in how we use plastics altogether.
All four guest panelist participated in signing an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), agreeing to work together in partnership with ASEZ WAO to solve this pertinent issue.
ASEZ WAO’s Mission to cleanup GPGP
In keeping with its mission to “Save the Earth from A to Z,” ASEZ WAO adopted the mission to deliver a message to the international community that humans must prevent any more formation of the GPGP by collecting 80,000 tons of plastics that have been dumped on land. Why 80,000? It is because this is the estimated amount of plastic that makes up the GPGP, which will continue to grow unless humans take action. In order to prevent the GPGP from growing, ASEZ WAO plans to disrupt the pattern of plastic waste in the ocean by first cleaning it up on the land.
ASEZ WAO is no stranger to carrying out this type of work. Since its inception, the determined group, which has aligned its mission with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, has carried out many environmental campaigns such as Green Workplace and Mother’s Forest, receiving worldwide recognition. For its effort in carrying out the “No More GPGP” Forum and initiative, ASEZ WAO received honors from the U.S. Senate and California State Assembly.
How to Participate
At present, ASEZ WAO has collected more than 122,000 kg of plastic in over 28 countries. By partnering with like-minded individuals and spreading the love of Heavenly Father and Mother, all volunteers hope to take the lead in cleaning up the earth and inspiring others to do the same.
To join the effort and take action in reducing plastic waste, take the “No More GPGP” pledge and sign-up here today!
