a bit of photojournalism - a format that appeals to my penchant for stream of consciousness

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

An open letter to all friends of the outdoors









19 comments:

  1. What an experience you had- and thank you for your unique way of documenting it here. Looking at the photo of your sweatshirt littered in Gu wrappers is just painful. Thanks so much for keeping them out of the ocean. You go, girl!
    Standing with you,
    Jessica in VA

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  2. Nicely done Katie! I live in Charleston, SC and rarely see much evidence of this problem in my area with ONE major exception... the Assault on Mt. Mitchell! Don't know why this particular ride is any different from other big rides in our state, but I always notice a disturbing number of GU wrappers along the road. Our bike club president forwarded your link to our members, so we're helping spread the word.
    Ride on!

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  3. thank you for your remarkable deed. jason mraz brought your blog to our attention.

    <3

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  4. This is so awesome... I feel the exact same way. I can never understand how people can be so irresponsible with the waste they create (especially those who are outdoor/nature lovers). I cannot walk by a piece of litter... somebody has to pick it up, right?! So when I go to the beach (or anywhere for that matter) I pick up after people that leave their trash to be swept into the ocean (or other waterways... because they... like us.. are all connected). You should check out my friends blog: www.theplasticocean.blogspot.com They just posted a video of a storm drain filled with trash... it's no wonder our oceans are filling with trash.
    Once again... it's awesome of you to take time out of your day to do the right thing.

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  5. Wow. Being a half marathon runner (and currently training for my first marathon), this is something I did not think about when grabbing the GU. I always figured volunteers were supposed to clean up all the wrappers! I guess they miss a lot, and I can certainly do my part by making sure mine makes it in the trash!

    It's funny because in my blog I discuss 'being present' and 'aware' of surroundings and situations... but I'm so focused on just running that I'm not completely present to anything else!!
    I'm so grateful that this was brought to my attention.

    :)

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  6. This is so sad. I don't live near the ocean (yet), but if I did, I wouldn't be able to stand the thought of where the garbage would end up. I'd have to pick it up. Which gives me pause for thought of my own inactions when I take walks. I look in disgust at the trash and yet it's probably still there along that fence down the street. Thank you for this and hugs for Jason for pointing me here.

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  7. I live just down the road in South Carlsbad and Ponto is our favorite beach. Seeing that trash really saddened me. I'm not a cyclist so I had never noticed it before but thank you for bringing it to my attention as it will make me more aware of my surroundings as I enjoy them and do my part to take care of them as you did yours (and above and beyond!!!). And thank you Jason as well for bringing this seemingly small yet so important issue to us.

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  8. Wow how very sad, but how well put. It just seems so inexplicable that people who are supposed to love the outdoors could be so inconsiderate. Well done you for picking up all those wrappers.

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  9. Thanks for picking up. I stash mine in my jog bra and get rid of it when I get to a trashcan. Guys can use their waistband. Thanks for posting and let's keep enjoying our beautiful environment.

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  10. Thanks, Katie. I love this post. Saw it on the Surfrider HQ Facebook wall. I'm going to add it to my blog, and tweet it out:)

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  11. Thanks Katie,
    I know someone who was in that race and they are going to get a spanking!

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  12. What time of day did you do this? It's fairly likely that the course marshalls had not swept the course yet because the marathon events were not over in another part of town. I've been in countless races and marathons and they ALWAYS sweep the course. Of course, they cannot do it while the race is occurring. Normally the race course gets swept in one swoop once everyone is done.

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  13. Wow...that's pretty darn amazing. Good on ya mate, for picking all that trash up!

    I agree with what you mentioned about the packaging. Single packaging wastes so much plastic!

    Also, when you said you were 99% sure all of that would have ended up in the ocean...talk about impact. Your story has changed me somewhat. Thank you.

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  14. I'm quite guilty of frequent littering. I moved to Texas very recently, from New Jersey (where the streets are paved with cheetos bags,) and i've been trying to 'clean up my act,' sincce i got here and saw how much pride people take in taking care of there surroundings

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  15. Thank you. I am fighting a battle here in WV with friends with the Opequon Creek systems being littered and ruined. They were beautiful mountain streams crisp and clean when I was young, now dirty and littered. I have a group of local kids who help me clean it out in the spring and summer but I went back there today as the weather has been too bad to go down only to find it trashed after hunting season. I was furious, then despondent then confused...I get where you were. After reading this and pouting for a few I am taking my garbage bag, thanking the Universe for the sun today and for giving me something to do AND heading out to pick up trash. Thank you!!!

    Leah Carrico

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  16. Hey Katie!
    I actually came across your blog thru Jason's. You are such an incredible person and I am grateful that you would actually do such a deed as pick up trash for so long that is not even your own. I am always very conscious of picking up my own trash, but after reading this, I will encourage others to do the same! It's so simple and can have a huge impact. My brother, one time, littered while we were at Universal (*RIGHT in front of me and the rest of the world!). I went over and picked it up to throw it away. I got the whole "CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF AND CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT" thing from Jason Mraz (LOVE HIM). But this is such a kind and helpful reminder. Thanks again, Katie. <3
    Sending love and sunshine your way,
    Sasha Brigante

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  17. Thought I should share this with you all:

    http://theplasticocean.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-plastic-pollution-in-ocean-is-no.html

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  18. This is totally true and I agree. I always shove my plastic bags that hold my sandwiches back into my little pouch. Best thing about eating sandwiches instead of gus? since I don't eat the crust I just throw it to the seagulls along my path! :)

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  19. thanks Katie~ way to merge cycling and fuel the environmentalist in you! I came across your post when I was researching plastic pollution in the oceans, writing an article starting with "Drains to creek..." On my one mile walk to a nearby market this AM, I picked up over 400 pieces of litter - small plastic particles, cigarette butts, broken glass, cups, miscellaneous metals, a pizza box, straws, bottle caps... My ordinary half hour walk took an hour and a half, but I got in lots of leg stretches, mini-crunches, and deep breathing exercises as I remembered "I am this, too." And was happy that none of these pieces would end up as part of a sea bird's lunch. Over 80% of our oceans litter washes down from land, and millions of sea birds and marine animals are killed each year ingesting them.
    Aiming toward eliminating single-use items and changing my own behaviors one day at a time - we're each a part of a cycle of societal and personal addiction that we can shift, one person at a time and by speaking out and acting up.
    Green Mary, Sonoma County, CA

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