The effect of marine litter on the Albatross.

I have singled out the plight of the Albatross as it is the victim of marine litter in nearly every ocean in the world, showing that marine litter is a world-wide problem. I have also chosen it as it is the largest of birds species Even the smalllest of the species has a wingspan of 6 feet. The Wandering and Royal albatrosses have an 11 feet wingspan. They weigh twice that of a bald eagle - 26lbs - yet fly effortlessly.

The albatross spends 95% of its lifetime flying out at sea.  They only use land for breeding.  They breed on remote islands thousands of miles from any continent.

An albatross may make a round trip of several thousand miles taking up to two weeks to return to feed its chick.

Earth orbiting satellites have tracked their amazing feats of flight. They can cover distances equal to flying around the Earth at the Equator 3 times in a year.  A fifty year old albatross will have flown easily 3.7 million miles.

Albatrosses live so far from humankind yet their destiny is dependent upon our actions.

In ancient times the sighting of an albatross was a warning of a storm up ahead.  They were a talisman aginst the fury of the sea. They symbolise the reincarnated spirit of drowned sailors.

In Samuel P. Coleridge's 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the mariner shoots the albatross that had been following the ship. The winds drop and his ship fails to make headway. 
'And I had done a hellish thing
And it would work 'em woe:
For all averred, I had killed the bird
That made the breeze to blow.'

The sailors slowly die of thirst.
'Water, water everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink'

This poem, although written in 1798, seems so prophetic because we are surrounded by oceans which we are slowly making unfit for marine animal survival. Our oceans are full of plastic debris. It does not biodegrade, it is not 'disposable' and it doesn't go 'away'. Instead it breaks down into minute floating fragments which mimic small fish and plankton. The Albatross feeds on these brightly coloured plastic fragments until its digestive tract is blocked and it slowly starves to death. Only two ounces of plastic is lethal. 

We do not kill albatrosses deliberately.  Most of us have no idea what is floating around there in the oceans. That is the problem. Once we realize that none of the plastic bottle tops we use every single day are recyclable, that a lot of the plastic packaging we buy in our weekly shop is not recyclable, we start to look at packaging in a completely new way.

It is difficult to make the connection between a plastic bottle top and a species of bird threatened with extinction.  The film I am working on is intended to do just that.  I want to show how the ubiquitous plastic bottle top is lethal once it finds its way to the sea.  All I ask is that you suspend your judgement temporarily and let me show you what I mean.

Marine pollution

Do you recycle your plastic? Do you make the effort to wash out those plastic milk bottles, cosmetic bottles, household cleaning product containers, plastic cutlery etc etc? Do you go to the trouble of putting them in the recycle bin to be collected every fortnight? You are a conscientious householder. Do you ever wonder where they all go after collection?
Would it shock you to know that a massive amount of what you send away for 'recycling' ends up in the stomachs of marine wildlife, causing digestive blockages, starvation and a slow death? I thought I was environmentally aware but my eyes have been opened to the horrors of marine pollution. I'm not just referring to the British coast but in every ocean of the world. I do not claim to be an eco-warrier, but I am an eco- worrier and I think we all need to be. It's all very well chucking stuff away but, ask yourself, where is away?

Bournville Goes Green

A TREE on Bournville Village Green has been wrapped up in Cadbury Dairy Milk wrappers as part of an art project by Birmingham City University art student Danielle Roberts.

In partnership with Bournville Village Trust and Cadbury, Danielle is hoping to draw attention to environmental issues through her work. She said:

“I am impressed by Cadbury’s environmental policy, ‘Purple goes Green’ which has greatly reduced its carbon footprint by conserving energy and producing biodegradable wrap. If we collected up all the litter dropped around Bournville in a year, there would be enough to wrap a tree. We have to take seriously the need to recycle in order to conserve our unique environment for our young citizens.”

To show support for her project the Bournville Village Trust have allowed her to use the Village Green. Not only is the tree wrapped in chocolate wrapper foil but it is bathed in purple and green light at night.
The wrapped and lit tree will be on show from January 21st until the 28th.

Danielle is seeking to work with local schools on projects having previously worked with Bournville Junior School. To enquire about developing an environmental project or if you have any comments about the artwork contact Danielle at danielle789789@btinternet.com

http://bournvillevillage.com/bournville-all-wrapped-for-art-project/
http://www.bvt.org.uk/news-and-events/purple-goes-bournville-green

Artist's Statement

I am an environmental artist. My practice is concerned with the problem of litter and recycling. I am a final year BCU mature student on the BA (Hons) Art & Design course.

For my final I am compiling a film about the detrimental environmental effect of marine litter on wildlife, particularly the Albatross. My film questions the mindless consumption and disposal of plastic items, encouraged by advertising which bombards us in our own home via the television.

I want to go on to use my film as the basis for environmental art workshops with schools and community groups.

I invite you to follow my journey to my Final Degree Show in June 2011.