Never mind the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, what about Lighthouse Park?

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      You don't have to sail to the middle of the Pacific Ocean to see the toll our unsustainable, hyperconsumerist lifestyles are having on the environment.

      Just take a walk in West Vancouver's wonderful Lighthouse Park. Vi Taylor did; the North Vancouver resident sent us the above photo and others showing our waste soiling the park.

      Maybe it's just a coincidence, but Taylor noticed that nearby arbutus trees—the ones with the beautiful greenish bark—were in rough shape. She also reports "some green and black water in the rocks and a lot of styrofoam particulate on the beach".

      As if we needed more proof that the planet is getting royally trashed and we're to blame.

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      Comments

      5 Comments

      Oscar

      Mar 22, 2012 at 3:12pm

      The majority of this shit comes off of the cargo tankers bobbing around in the Strait.

      Peter Ladner

      Mar 22, 2012 at 4:18pm

      80% of junk in the ocean that's killing seabirds comes out of rivers, according to shocking http://www.midwayfilm.com/

      the.other.Fred

      Mar 22, 2012 at 5:56pm

      100% of the junk in the ocean that's killing seabirds comes out of modern civilization.

      Martin Dunphy

      Mar 23, 2012 at 12:31am

      Although I don't doubt her sincerity, and much of the crap floating in the ocean ultimately comes to rest on the shores of this planet's islands and continents, Vi Taylor should know that pooled water on rocky shorelines--especially rainwater or seawater thrown up into the rocks during storms--often stagnates and concentrates rotting algae and seaweeds, causing the water to smell and turn colour into what might be considered unattractive, even polluted hues.

      Also, arbutus trees are constantly losing their bark as they mature, shedding it in patchy, curling flakes, the red revealing shades of brown, red, and green underneath. If you don't know it's normal, it all looks rather messy, like a coyote in the summer heat appears to have mange. But it's perfectly ordinary.
      The garbage in the water, though--that sucks big-time.

      Eco Tourists

      Mar 23, 2012 at 10:56am

      Very often I see people tossing water bottles/coffee cups containers into the woods. Most of these people seem to be new to the concept of nature and most are clueless when you try to explain. Education is the key and don't be afraid to point out the problem.