Low tide on most days

by Gerry Rasmus
(Thailand)

We here at Pollution Solution do our best to remove everything made by man from the beach and ocean.

Plastic, Butts, Battries, Fishing gear, Diapers, Glass, Lighters, Shoes, Tires. The list goes on.

Some people see what we are doing, some help, some think, and some could care less. Walking the walk is not always easy, but you get results. Just knowing that you're reaching out for the Voiceless has many rewards.

The children, wildlife, natural waterways Buddha, God. They all thank you in one way or another. We wish the rest of the human race could understand this and also do their part.

We, here at Pollution Solution, call it Waster-Sizing. All one needs to do is bend at the (waist) to pick up the (waste) and get rid of both. You're exercising and hearing the cry of mother nature at the same time. Taking care of yourself and Earth. The rewards are priceless.

One Random Act of Kindness at a Time.

With Aloha Gerry aka KOTO

Barry's Response - Whatever works, Gerry. Hopefully you draw a crowd.

See photos and videos of Gerry and his group in action - solution2pollution.blogspot.ca/2012/07/pollution-solution-certificate-of.html Gerry has made many valuable contributions to this website over the years.

Hope exists that our oceans will benefit from special efforts of people just like this. Since I'm a thousand kilometres from the nearest coast, I only experience it vicariously, but that doesn't stop me from caring or spreading the word. Let's figure it out.

Here's a video showing the grisly consequences of this garbage:



...and the Chris Jordan documentary Midway - Message from the Gyre. This will become a major issue over time.

When the ocean exhales toxins at low tide

Low tide on most days isn't just a tidal observation, it's a dire warning: the ocean is constantly withdrawing, revealing our irresponsible actions. It's a metaphor for exposed pollution, but we need to understand the terrifying scientific reality: low tide exposes pollutants that rise into the air.

Gerry mentions plastics and litter as contaminants that aren't chemically inert. They're constantly exchanging molecules with the air. Low tide exposes plastic-contaminated sediments to UV radiation, which speeds up plastic's photo-degradation. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), like methane and ethylene, are released directly into the atmosphere. Therefore, the beach that looks disgusting during low tide is also a source of localized air pollution. Try to stop the water's trash from entering your lungs with a worldwide beach cleanup.

Contradiction between plastic and climate

The plastic crisis calls for a counter-narrative to the mainstream climate narrative. The very existence of plastic creates an overlooked pollution cycle.

In the aquatic environment, plastic debris transports other pollutants (like PFAS and heavy metals). Degradation of plastic releases greenhouse gases (methane and ethylene, a climate-relevant trace gas). It's not just about preserving the environment, it's also about mitigating climate change. It gives climate activists like Gerry a scientific argument that transcends aesthetics and ethics.

The Atmospheric Albatross revolutionizes cleanup

We need a revolutionary vision that goes beyond bending and resizing waste to attract and retain visitors.

1) The "Albatross Drone Patrol" (Storytelling & Visual): Inspired by the tragic albatross that ingest plastic (as Chris Jordan's work is referenced in the dialogue), the Atmospheric Albatross is a solar-powered drone that hovers over coastlines at low tide. Drones use hyperspectral imaging to identify plastic types and air quality sensors to track plumes of VOCs and aerosolized plastic microparticles. Visitors would be able to fly the drone over their local beach to see the dual contamination of air and water.

2) Bio-Integrity Solution: One could propose that manufacturers must pay a high, mandatory "End-of-Life" (EOL) fee for every plastic product as an acknowledgement of integrity. Through this fund, we'll be able to develop advanced recycling that uses pyrolysis (heating plastic without oxygen) to make chemical feedstocks, so landfills don't need to be used and, more importantly, VOCs don't emit air pollutants during degradation.

As a result of this expanded approach, Low tide on most days becomes a high-tech, ethical debate about fluid dynamics, environmental accountability, and the need to combine water and air quality consulting with environmental science.

Do you find it weird to think of a pile of beach plastic as a mini-factory? Gerry's passion made you want to go "Waster-Size" right now? Let us know what surprised you most about the "low tide".