Why Clean our Earth?

Bicycling along the 17-mile drive in Monterey Bay, I was struck by the bluest-blue of the clean Pacific Ocean. I couldn't but help capture its beauty with photographs. Each click made me ask -- Why can't all of the Pacific Ocean be this clean? 

Trash accumulates in 5 ocean garbage patches, and about 80% of the debris comes from land-based activities in North America and Asia. Plastic bags, bottle caps, plastic water bottles, fishing nets, and Styrofoam cups make up a majority of the debris. The debris threatens marine animals and destroys the ocean food web.

Particulate matter is a leading air pollutant generated by indoor human activity. Particles in the PM2.5 size range are able to travel deeply into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs. Exposure to fine particles can cause short-term health conditions and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. PM2.5 particulate pollution is caused by indoor human activities such as heating, cooling, home renovations, smoking, and daily activities like cooking, showering and vacuuming. As well as outside activities that produce smog such as heavy traffic, and industrial manufacturing.

How can science, technology, consumer habits, climate policy, and restoration work address the depletion and pollution caused by human activity?