Carraignavar

PLASTIC POLLUTION IN OUR OCEAN – Collaiste An Chroi Naofa, Carraignavar, Co. Cork

Teacher:  Ms. Avrial Cogan            

Class:  First-year Art groups 1.1 and 1.4.

Over a number of classes, we explored “Plastic Pollution in Our Ocean” and the catastrophic consequences it is having on our ecosystem. Plastic litter remains one of the biggest problems facing the world’s seas, along with rising sea levels, climate change, and human-made chemical pollution. The ocean is out of sight and unfortunately out of mind.  There is evidence everywhere of the danger plastic poses to marine wildlife such as seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles. They are accidentally eating plastic and becoming entangled in plastic debris, with devastating consequences. Experts are citing there will be more plastic per weight in the sea by 2050 than fish. The visual arts empowers students and provides them with a platform to engage with the world from a new perspective. Development education connects students to real life experiences and provides an opportunity to reflect on patterns of behavior and their consequences such as the consequences of our global addiction to throwaway plastic.