Just a thought......

While researching this topic, I came to an obvious but painful realization. I too catch myself falling into the subconscious mindset that these images of pollution and poverty must be in third world countries. That there's no way this could be happening in such a progressive place like the United States. But the sad realization is that this isn't only happening in a third world country far, far away - we're feeling the effects right here in our own country and the US is largely to blame for plastic pollution. (If anything, those poor third world countries can't afford single use plastic products. Their waste is minimized because they don't have the luxury of being glutenous and wasteful.) For being so progressive, we sure seem to be ok with maintaining an ignorance-is-bliss approach to life and the future of our planet. This is happening off the coast of California and the northwest, in Hawaii, the gulf coast and all along the Atlantic, not to mention all over the rest of the world. We are surrounded by the result of 50+ years of irresponsible and greedy plastic creation and pollution. There may not be further production of some plastic products that have been deemed toxic, but this is only 50% of the problem. New product of this type may not end up in our environment, but what about the product created years ago that is still floating out there waiting to be consumed by us at the top of the food chain? We are becoming a plastic people and not due to vain surgical procedures. We are eating plastic toxins as part of our daily diets and ruining the delicate balance of life in record time.

My other realization while looking at pictures of pollution is that all of those "disgusting" places used to look just like our much desired images of relaxing, exotic getaways. Humans have successfully turned this desired beauty that used to be next door into bubbling cesspools of toxic waste and disease. Below are more images of places that used to be beautiful, thriving, natural places full of life and sustenance (many of which are in Hawaii). We are a disgusting creature and I really hope others begin to see the light as well. Educate. Inform. Act.