Author Archives: janisselbyjones
Break Down
Plastics break down into smaller and smaller bits until they become microscopic, but they never completely degrade. In other words, petroleum-based plastics never go away. The term “break down” can be applied not only to plastics but to the coronavirus … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Winter Solstice Snowflakes
Even though remote mountain tops appear pristine in scenic photos, microplastics have been found in snow samples taken from the Sierra Nevada, the Alps, and the Pyrenees—and 90% of samples collected in the Rockies contained microplastics. There are things we … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Juul Caps
When I recently started finding these caps on the beach, I thought that they were from USB drives. However, a recent headline about the life-threatening consequences of vaping made me realize that they are caps for Juul e-cigarette products. In … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Be Disposable Free
Plastic cutlery is often among the top ten items found during shoreline cleanups, and I have certainly collected my fair share while walking at the beach. Plastic knives, forks, and spoons are not recyclable in most waste systems, because they … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education
Leave a comment
The Butterfly Effect
The butterfly effect theory comes from meteorologist Edward Lorenz and the idea that the development of a tornado can be “influenced by minor perturbations such as the flapping of the wings of a distant butterfly several weeks earlier.” In other words, … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education
Leave a comment
Sea Turtle
More than half of the world’s sea turtles have ingested plastic, and sadly, they are especially susceptible to its harmful effects. According to Sea Turtle Conservancy, their anatomy prohibits the regurgitation of debris, and the accumulation of plastic in their … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Education
Leave a comment
The Uplifting Power of Community
It can be all too easy to lose heart. There is so much wrong with the world one can quickly forget what’s right, but today I was reminded of the enormity of the good that still exists. Organized by @1stcreamiatwin, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
ShoreSweep 