Easter Island’s fight against plastic pollution: a call to protect paradise

Easter Island is a critical point for the accumulation of plastic and microplastics which are compromising marine animals and consequently also the health of the inhabitants

Easter Island is a breathtakingly beautiful island in the middle of the southern Pacific Ocean, which is suffering due to a powerful environmental crisis because of plastic pollution. Due to the special position of the island, the ocean currents transport huge quantities of waste, mainly coming from Australia, South America, and the fishing industry, that are critically important for it to be a hot spot of plastic and microplastic concentration.

“Most of the waste are not from the local community”

Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui, receives approximately 50 times more plastic in its coasts compared to those on mainland Chile. Moiko Pakomio is a marine biologist who works for the local government and was adamant that much of the waste that ends up on the island’s shores does not come from the local community.

A lot of these wastes come from fishing vessels releasing plastic to the sea. The same waste, due to the movement of the ocean currents breaks into microplastics, and they pollute the beaches, threatening the marine ecosystem.”

58% Of plastic comes from mainland Chile

This phenomenon is absolutely disastrous in its consequences for the local wildlife. It is stated that marine resources comprise a big part of the nutrition among the inhabitants of the island. Sea urchins and blue fish, which suffer from this anomaly, are an essential constituent of the community diet.

This pollution puts the island’s residents in jeopardy concerning food security and threatens to disrupt the food chain completely, according to Rapa Nui’s Mayor, Pedro Edmunds. Reports show that 58% of plastic reaching the island emanates from mainland Chile, hinting that this marine pollution issue also originates from poor national waste management.

Meanwhile, against this crisis, there is a grassroots movement to fight plastic pollution, and perhaps an international agreement next November in South Korea can present yet another opportunity to urge governments to take effective actions globally.

“We cannot let a paradise like Easter Island be buried by waste that not only disfigures its landscape but also endangers the survival of its marine ecosystem and the health of its people,” said one local leader. “It’s time to act promptly to put an end to this alarming phenomenon as soon as possible.”

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When life surprises us: a horse’s rescue story

Radical transformation of a horse that risked being sent to the slaughterhouse. Thanks to a boy with a heart of gold, he's a different animal now. This is the story of Golondrina and its touching happy ending

Life can throw surprises when all seems to be lost. Just like in this story about this mare, condemned to life in a pen and heading for the slaughterhouse, a young animal rescuer made sure she had a new beginning.

Golondrina: a horse saved from slaughter

Known as Golondrina, the mare was among several horses that nearly ended up in the slaughterhouse. Following Spain’s 2008 financial crisis, thousands of horses were sold to slaughterhouses because upkeep became too expensive. In any case, the slaughterhouse was never in the cards for Golondrina.

A young Spanish man, Marcos Moreno Martinez, dedicated his life to the care of animals and adopted Golondrina into his family. Large and diverse, it is an innumerable number of species that live peacefully under the “same roof”.

A sanctuary of compassion

He shows up in his videos, though, with dogs that have had extreme abuse, parrots, snakes, and other exotics and wild animals. Their days are filled with love; love can execute miracles, and make impossible things possible. Just take a look at Golondrina.

The person who would’ve known her then wouldn’t recognize her now. A horse once strong, even aggressive in personality, now wouldn’t let anyone approach or touch her. Her behavior speaks a good deal about the treatment she may have received in hindsight.

A life transformed

But the past is behind her, and today Golondrina is a different horse. Her happiness is infectious. She runs across open fields, chasing the horizon, free to act as she will, with a wonderful assortment of friends by her side.

Marcos Moreno Martinez decided to share his life with followers. He shared touching stories that finished under a note of hope. By showing the pain of others, he gives courage and strength to rise up against cruelty for the defense of the vulnerable.

And this is what Marcos says every now and then in his posts:

“I narrate their stories not for sensationalism, but for awareness!! Too many people don’t watch sad videos. It is necessary, though ugly, because if everybody turns their head, nothing will ever change.”

Source: elchicodelasaves/Instagram

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