Hello! Welcome to 7 In the Ocean. If you, like me, enjoy chit chatting about the insanity of “disposable plastic,” or if you’re into adventuring, or if you just want to figure out how to approach this seemingly huge and bigger-than-me topic of plastic pollution…then you’re in the right place! This blog is all of those things and more. It’s small but packs a punch. Stay a while.
Plastic has been my focus for the last 5 years. Well…getting rid of it, that is. In 2008, I participated in SEA (Sea Education Association) Semester and was able to witness, first hand, the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” (reality check: not really a patch!). Mid-cruise, our ship got stuck in derelict fishing gear. In the middle of the ocean. There was something altogether humbling and frightening about being stuck in one of the most remote places on the planet…by our own trash. Two things came to mind at this point: what are we doing to our planet and when did this become acceptable? OK, maybe a third: how do we stop the madness?
So, back to the purpose of this blog. Up until very recently, this space existed mostly so that I could hear myself yell to the blogosphere about how awful plastic was and why we should stop using things like straws, styrofoam cups and silly plastic forks. While I am still dedicated to the idea of reducing our individual consumption of plastic waste (and who doesn’t love a good rant every now and then?), I also want this to be a place for conversation, education and inspiration. So if you’ve got an idea, a question or just want to see some cool pictures of albatross, you just let me know. I’ll be here.
Beauty.
Want to talk trash? Shoot me an email at ryancope11@gmail.com. 
Hi, Ryan!
Found your blog from Beth Terry’s Fake Plastic Fish site…very cool!
I’m so interested in this topic…should have studied marine biology when I was in school!
Just curious what type of work you will do when you graduate. I have 3 sons who have a while to go until college (they are 3, 6, and 10) but I like to share different careers with them to expand their worldview. Yours is definitely an interesting one!
I love your goal of mitigation and education….You could be the Jamie Oliver of plastic recycling – ‘The Plastic Revolution’!
Best wishes with your research and will look forward to reading your blog! Kate
Hi Kate!
Thanks so much for your comment and interest! Frankly, I’m flattered by the Jamie Oliver association, it’s exactly his ideas of education and awareness that I’m trying to get across.
I’m hoping to go to grad school within the next few years but for now, I’m just trying to reduce my impact and hopefully get more people aware of the dire straits our oceans are in!
It’s wonderful to see that this topic is gaining momentum and attention, the world needs more curious and interested people like yourself! It’s especially awesome that you’re getting your sons involved, kudos to you!
-Ryan E.
Ummmm. I love you
Funny that the first comment I read over here is Kate E. Hey, I know her, I think. Yep. Well, not literally know her, but internetly. Blogly? Anyway, I also found you through Beth and considering that we are both based in Vermont, I thought I should leave you a message.
This is it: it’s late, I will read more in the morning, welcome to the world of blogging about plastic, and more to follow…
And, also, thanks for writing! I am a big fan of the snowball effect…
David
Ryan! This is wonderful! I saw your travel tales on facebook and it got me curious. I’m so glad you’ve got a passion and a goal, especially one this important. Great to hear you’re doing well and I’ll try to keep in touch more often. As a Glass Engineer, I’m absolutely against plastics so I’m fighting with you! Good luck, have fun, talk to you soon!
Greg Badger
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I think what you are doing is awesome. What an opportunity! Let’s educate the generation coming up…