The first of three Oregon JUNKride events starts tonight in Portland.
In case you haven’t heard, JUNKride is an effort by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation to raise awareness about the growing problems of the gigantic “plastic soup” swirling around in the North Pacific Ocean.
Members Dr. Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins are cycling from Vancouver, BC to Tijuana, Mexico this spring to hold a series of workshops and present some of the evidence collected during recent voyages.
In our earlier story about JUNKride, (JUNKride Arrives In Oregon For Earth Day Events) Cummins told us the group has discovered that more of the plastics we toss away are ending up in our food supply. In the ocean, the plastics break down into small particles and are eaten by fish. That includes fish served in restaurants, and fish eaten by salmon.
Here’s the information on tonight’s event:
6:30 p.m. at Keen Footwear, 926 NW 13th Ave., No. 210, Portland.
- Jessica Hamilton of the West Coast Governor’s Agreement on Ocean Health (WCGA) also will speak on behalf of Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Sponsored by Keen and Wend Magazine to benefit the Portland Chapter of Surfrider Foundation. Free. For information call (503) 913-7381.
Please continue reading for the rest of the schedule in Salem and Newport:
It’s called JUNKride. Dr. Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins from the Algalita Marine Research Foundation are traveling on bicycle from British Columbia to Mexico with new evidence that the plastic soup is worsening and getting into our food supply.