SDG PROPOSAL GOAL 14.

Jenna Cranston introduces her focus on Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, specifically addressing plastic pollution in oceans. She highlights that 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean annually, a number expected to double in the next decade. Environmental scientists find plastic in every part of the ocean, regardless of location. Plastic is not biodegradable and almost every piece ever created still exists. It's estimated that even now, plastic particles are present in the water we drink and the air we breathe, with predictions that this will become widespread if preventative measures are not taken.

Jenna focuses on reducing single-use plastic on campus, using examples like water bottles and straws, which are used briefly and then discarded. She identifies two key areas for improvement: recycling and indifference. She notes a lack of recycling awareness at Palo Alto College and suggests clearer labeling on recycling bins and educational resources like online PowerPoints about the benefits of recycling and what can be recycled.

To combat indifference, Jenna proposes implementing reverse vending machines in universities and other institutions. These machines would allow users to insert recyclable materials to receive a drink, acting as a reward system for good behavior. She notes that people are often more willing to participate if there's a personal benefit. These machines are common in other countries like Japan and can accept various recyclable items like paper, pens, and soda bottles, dispensing a product in return.

Jenna believes that better education on recycling and the implementation of reverse vending machines could significantly reduce plastic waste on campus. She emphasizes that this issue requires a collective effort beyond just a campus. Over 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods, meaning destroying our oceans would severely impact a large portion of the global population.