Presents
Adventure With Purpose With Lakey Peterson & Gregg Treinish
Synopsis
They have been found in nearly every one liter water sample from all corners of the globe. They are smaller than 5mm. They pose a massive environmental and health risk when they enter our waterways. And nearly every human on our earth is part of the problem. The question is - will you be part of the solution?
In series one of “Adventure with Purpose” we explore the often unseen and largely unknown world of microplastics. They are the tiny plastic particles that are released EVERY time we wash synthetic clothes. They are the microbeads in our skin care, products and toothpastes that get washed down the sink daily.
Join Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation founder Gregg Treinish and professional surfer Lakey Peterson on a journey into the hidden world of microplastics and help ASC collect samples globally for their research, while learning the simple things you can do to save our environment – and our health.
Hosts
Lakey Peterson: Currently ranked 4th in the Women’s World Surf League
Hosts
Gregg Treinish: National Geographic Explorer, Executive Director at Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, and one of Men's Journal's "50 Most Adventurous Men�.
Microplastic particles are being found in oceans worldwide.
Facts and Statistics
Sewage treatment filtration does not capture microplastic particles, which include tiny fibers washed from synthetic clothing , as well as microbeads.
MICROFIBERS
Washing Machine to Dinner Plate Microplastic particles attract other pollutants in the environment including PCBs, flame-retardants, and other industrial chemicals.
A tube of face wash can contain over 330,000 microbeads.
1,147 personal cleansing products contain microbeads employed as exfoliant.
This means billions of plastic microbeads are flowing into our waterways.
Microfibers and microbeads are so small that they wash right through waste water treatment filtration and enter the waterways directly.
Up to 1,900 microfibers shed every time you wash your fleece jacket.
Over 663 species of marine wildlife are affected by plastic pollution through ingestion or entanglement.
Larger plastics, such as bags and bottles, are broken down over time by the sun, wind and rain. Eventually they become microplastics. These tiny particles find their way into our water systems , where they are often ingested by wildlife, entering the food chain.
A single particle can absorb up to 1,000,000 times more toxic chemicals than the water around it.
ASC Program & Findings Since launching the initiative in 2013, we have found microplastic pollution in 94% of our marine samples from around the world. With that information, we launched the freshwater study in spring 2015. The vast majority of those samples have also contained plastic. We’ve found it in alpine lakes in the Cascade Mountains, WA, mountain streams in Slovenia, and in our Montana backyard waters, the Gallatin watershed.
More than 1200 locations have been sampled for the Global Microplastics Initiative.
616
adventurers have gathered those samples from remote oceans around the world— places including Greenland, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and the middle of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
1050 This study is in progress and numbers/data are constantly being updated. Please visit www.adventurescience.org/microplastics for the most up-to-date reports.
Since starting the project in early 2013, we’ve processed 1050 marine samples. 992 of those have contained microplastic (94%).
Brief Outline
WHO
WHAT
WHEN
Microplastics
Gregg Lakey
WHERE
WHY
HOW
Create awareness for microplastics and voice a call to action.
November 2015 - February 2016
Maui & Maine
Short film, 6-10 minutes, adventure with purpose, where Lakey learns about the issue and adventures with Gregg to test water and discover how bad the problem is
Results from water testing Skype with Abby, Gregg, and Lakey
SCHEDULE Overview Maui, Hawaii Gregg, Lakey and Aaron fly to Hawaii to film-problem/action/ solution
Film release Early December 2015 : Aaron flies to Maine to meet scientist Abby Barrows and test the water collected in Maui.
Nov 21-Dec 4
Nov 1-6
Dec-Jan 2016
Dec 2015
Films Lakey’s contest
Late February
editing
Primary and Secondary Goals
SECONDARY GOALS
1
5 ways everyone can reduce microplastic pollution Wear natural fibers – cotton/wool/hemp. Reduce the frequency of household washing – modern washing machines are highly efficient these days and clothes do not need to be washed as frequently.
AWARENESS EDUCATE, MOTIVATE, ACTIVATE. Educate people about the issue. Create an emotional bond to the issue that motivates people to get involved. Ask them to spread the word utilizing: word-of-mouth, social media, school programs, university groups (ie: Student Conservation Association), volunteer environmental groups, etc
PRIMARY GOALS RAISE MONEY FOR ASC'S MICROPLASTICS RESEARCH so ASC can definitively show the detrimental impact of microplastics in streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans.
Avoid cosmetics and products that contain microbeads. Eliminate the use of single use plastics (straws, plastic wrap, disposable plastic containers, plastic bags). Use reusable shopping bags made from natural fibres .
2
Corporate Responsibility – Encourage/partner with to corporations, asking them to play an active role in modifying existing practices to reduce their microplastic impact on the environment and be part of the solution.
3 Educate the public on microplastics from secondary sources (plastic waste) created when larger plastic debris like bags and bottles break down.
Analyzing the Data
The ASC scientist uses
Using a microscope at
ASC receives sample
a vaccuum pump to
The sample is dried
40x magnification,
bottles at the lab in
move the water sample
for a minimum of
scientists looks for
Maine.
through a gridded .45-
24 hours.
pieces of microplastic
micron filter.
(<5mm).
The filter is systematically counted,
The final count for
moving along the grid
the sample is divided
lines, and each plastic piece is categorized based on.
The volume of
by the quantity of
water is
water, which
recorded.
standardizes the results.
ASC analyzes a portion of the samples using FTIR spectroscopy to learn more about the exact types of plastic present in the water.
Cost per sample $126.50 including the specialized FTIR analysis
Oceans Filming Location:
Surf Location on Maui Current ASC test results for global marine samples taken in ocean locations display on screen.
Questions for Lakey to ask Gregg •
What are microplastics?
•
Why does it matter? How does it affect me?
•
How bad is this problem?
•
Where does it come from?
•
When/why did ASC get involved? What is the ASC Microplastics Initiative?
River Mouths Filming Location:
River mouth Current ASC test results for global samples taken in ocean locations display on screen.
Questions for Lakey to ask Gregg • How might it be entering our water? Use this question to segue from Ocean to Rivers. Ask at the ocean then cut to Rivers.
• What sources of microplastics come from the land?
• Am I personally contributing the this problem? • What can I do to reduce my impact? • What can I do to find out more about what is in my water?
• How can we tell where it is coming from?
Freshwater
Freshwater Caves and Waterfalls Filming Location:
Waterfall Current ASC test results for global samples taken in, or near, freshwater locations display on screen.
Questions for Lakey to ask Gregg • What do we need to find out still/ what is the next step in this work? • Can we make a difference? What do we want to do? • What can individuals do? How can people get involved in this work?
Whats the best way to support ASC's work on microplastics? • What happens after I take a sample and put it in the mail? • Why does it matter if plastic is in freshwater/ remote bodies of water? • What do we know so far? • Findings and/or risks in waterfall locations
Polluted Beaches Filming Location:
Beautiful beach in Maui Lacey VO: We hear how microplastics are washing up on beaches worldwide, but what does that really mean, and what does it really look like? We have decided to do a little investigating of our own. Let's get a micro take on this magnificent Maui beach.
Questions for Lakey to ask Gregg â&#x20AC;˘ How do tiny little plastics end up on a remote beach like this?
â&#x20AC;˘ It's easy to understand the threat from larger plastics in our ecosystem, but what about these tiny particles?
B-STORIES TO FILM
B-STORIES TO FILM
Inside Lakey’s Bag Lakey laying out her wardrobe – talk with Gregg about what clothes could be washed less, look at tags – what are they made of - and how she could adjust what she packs to have less of an impact
B-STORIES TO FILM
Exploring local stores Gregg and Lakey pull items off the shelf â&#x20AC;&#x201C; meet outside to review products and talk about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in them. When they check out of the store, show them refusing the single use plastic bag and instead placing items into a reusable bag.
B-STORIES TO FILM Filming Location:
Fresh fish markets, restaurant or other Lakey VO: I love eating fresh seafood but after all I've been learning so far, I can't help but wonder what this means for my love affair with seafood.
Questions for Lakey to ask Gregg • Gregg, what percentage of seafood here would you estimate contains microplastics?
• What kind of damage could ingesting these tiny particles do to me?
• Are there any areas of the world that appear to have higher microplastics concentrations, both in the waters and in the seafood?
B-STORIES TO FILM
Gregg showing Lakey the kits Gregg showing Lakey the kits and talking to her about how to take the message global. Lakey “So how many people have you gotten to do this so far?” Gregg: “almost 2,000” Lakey: “Well I’m on board to help, so tell me what I can do.” Gregg shares with Lakey how she can have the most impact.
FINAL CALL TO ACTION We will create a global map on screen and play many of the adventure videos made by volunteers for this project within the map.
“Make sure this story does not stop with ”
you
Simple steps you can take to reduce your impact: 1. Repost this video to spread the word and follow ASC on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Use the hashtag #ASCMicroplastics 2.Reduce or eliminate single use plastics. 3.Stop buying face wash or toothpaste with microbeads. 4.Reduce washing – particularly of synthetic clothing. 5.Hang 10 for microplastics. Donate $10 at www.adventurescience.org. #hang10formicroplastics
Tentative Plan for Maui
Day 1 West side of Maui • Opening Interviews with Lakey and Gregg to establish why they are here and the goal of the film
• Gregg teaches Lakey how to test water • Lakey teaches Gregg to surf • Paddle out together to test water at location where Lakey will be competing at in a few weeks
Tentative Plan for Maui
Day 2
West side of Maui • Kayak & snorkel/free dive journey to test water and engage “tour” guide about plastic issue. Possibly engage other athletes or local people in the free dive section
• Visit store to purchase items and discuss primary microplastics and which products have them – decline plastic bag at checkout and use reusable bag
• Visit harbor, engage local fishermen about issue
Tentative Plan for Maui
Day 3 East side of Maui Hana - Day trip â&#x20AC;˘ Test watershed (hike to waterfall, freshwater cave, rock jump, river mouth, surf wave (potentially just stay one night out here)
â&#x20AC;˘ Engage other local surfers or athletes to join us on this journey
Tentative Plan for Maui
Day 4 TBD (Weather day) • Wrap up interviews • Surf footage • Fish market or restaurant to talk about microplastics on our plate?
• Get any extra pick up shots needed from B-Roll list
B-ROLL / ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE
Lakey in competition
Gregg meeting Lakey for the first time
Lakey teaching Gregg to surf
Paddle out to competition location to test water
Scenery around Maui
Global data collection process and meeting people testing around the world
Analyzing the results – Aaron and Abby in Maine – microscope and spectrometer footage
Kayak in water and free dive to collect samples
Additional GoPro Content for GoPro promo edit – also send GoPro to ASC members and contacts to shoot on their water collection adventures
Beyond the Film
Beyond the Film
Develop four 10-15
15 second Instagram video
1 Year Plastic Challenge. Gregg challenges
Downloadable PDF of easy ways
second PSA spots for
competition. Collect your
Lakey to reduce her single use plastic use for
people can reduce microplastic
Lakey to do for ASC –
sample – make your film –
an entire year and asks her to send this
impact, groups they can join to
Aaron will shoot extra
win the prize – must tag ASC
message to her audience. Reducing plastics –
impact change – basically a useful
footage.
social media sites and
Lakey travel kit to use less plastic – metal fork,
information/fact sheet.
#ASCMicroplastics
steel water container, buying things from companies that produce packaging that breaks down in an environmentally friendly way or is recyclable. #microplasticschallenge
1. I live to surf. And now I'm working to protect the water I love. (Lakey sampling)). You, too can get involved: www.adventurescience.org/ microplastics
2. These tiny microbeads can end up on your dinner plate. (Clip of microbeads/ water?) Join me in making a difference and find out what you can do about it at www.adventurescience.org/microplastics
3. 94% of water samples collected globally by @AdventureScience contain microplastics. (Lakey in the water/surfing) I don't know about you, but I find that horrifying. Help me help ASC in their mission, and get involved today at www.adventurescience.org/microplastics
4. Microplastics are everywhere. I'm working with @AdventureScience to collect water samples and get to the source of this problem. (clip of Gregg and Lakey) You can help too: www.adventurescience.org/ microplastics