I joined Marcus Eriksen from the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, to attend the first Forecast Earth Summitt hosted by the Weather Channel, with 22 young eco-ambassadors from all over the US. The students, selected for their outstanding committment to sustainability, spent a whirlwind weekend participating in workshops, hearing presentations from speakers, going on various green tours around the Capitol....
And learning all about the plastics plague.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMDDe1RNp7hld5miXfDe3o2GYDfCdDlcyJ6ojkRjNDPIrNfLfY-KJBSIqvN4R7kzyPVoUr84LX8Ju1KV9yxczSBBhJh4cZAgcgyr40Zr8RfI-aB-noCcDLeerbm0yEVJIQvCVPg/s320/_ELB5588.jpg)
For many students, one of the weekend highlights was building a raft out of recycled plastic bottles with Marcus, test floating it in the Potomac River, and watching the two of us successfully paddle -using two old crutches fashioned into paddles - to the other side.
It was without a doubt a memorable way for these super inspiring students to learn more about plastics issues, after a morning of indoor presentations on the subject, including some hands on activities - dissecting Albatross boluses to quantify plastic contents, making super strong, boatworthy rope with hundreds of plastic bags, and crafting PSAs about various ecological issues. I have no doubt they will take their new found knowledge back to their communities, and inspire positive action. Read more about these future leaders here.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP5b8jdbfOglGu6VIrcGogvAaATAkSq6hjrhL7vQTJx0vV6FWOMPHvlc6zy2riuPQ76piQrCfR7RNQ_E1-TIJxMNlDycEvRGMSQLS7C3dRKAn3s2xjxYp2jp93cJaNtl_4bOodw/s320/_ELA2760.jpg)
Marcus and a student test the raft for floatability.....
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qYi5zULAsU3d2TKYGh5X2eP0BwTGVg5JzLKs7I3wEF0fsZcrcDALVc0Xj_D_j9g1SjBB1yrIe3vN7vy6tT-VzXGRPv0KG5QjhuWup9GpxY6Hukmr2aemncF94dCpQpIuva4RiA/s320/_ELA2844.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhgSUQ0mOCRgWKJC-iVHDMs5PtFVePNemRpYMtFrgj0Lh94wn-cFcsNHPjshI8WiG-7ik6mNrI6MGHenDKsvuT78_jk0q0FDvn_c6lEvvjXMwgyUs0-l00Vw71BGF_IptdFB9Lw/s400/_ELB5757.jpg)
....before I hop in, and help paddle across river.
Mission accomplished!
Thanks to Erik Lesser for the awesome images.
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