Plasticus maritimus : an invasive species
When she was young, biologist Ana Pêgo didn't play in a backyard but on a beach. As she grew older, Ana realized that a new species was becoming more and more common in the sand. She decided to collect the species and give it a name: Plasticus maritimus. She dedicated her life to studying plastic in the oceans and raising awareness of the danger it poses to the health of the planet. Inspired by Ana's experiences, and backed by extensive research, this book explains how plastics are ever more present in our oceans, lakes and streams--more than 9 million tons a year! She explains how plastic is made, offers a field guide to help young people identify the Plasticus maritimus species, and takes a critical look at our current "solutions" to plastic contamination. A call for deep changes in our habits, this book encourages young people (and adults) to become part of the solution. Invasive, deeply destructive, and almost indestructible, Plasticus maritimus is a species that should go extinct!
Available Copies by Location
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Victoria | Available |
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- ISBN: 9781771646437
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Physical Description
print
169 pages : color illustrations ; 21 cm - Publisher [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], 2020.
Content descriptions
| General Note: | Originally published in Portuguese in 2018 as "Plasticus maritimus, uma espécie invasora". |
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references. |
| Formatted Contents Note: | Introduction -- The importance of oceans -- The species plasticus maritimus -- Do you want to know more about plastic? -- Common ocean plastic -- Exotic ocean plastic -- How to go into the field -- What we can do -- Recycling: why can't we just relax? |
| Language Note: | Translated from the Portuguese. |
Additional Information
Summary
Plasticus Maritimus : An Invasive Species
"Clever...beguiling....Readers age 11 and older are likely to finish this book feeling both persuaded and uplifted. Beauty has a way of doing that." -- Wall Street Journal For young readers comes an imaginative guide to ocean plastics, filled with tips and tricks for identifying--and combating--pollution in our oceans. Inspired by biologist AnaPêgo's life's work, and filled with engaging science and colorful photographs, this foundational look at plastic pollution in the ocean explains why it is such an urgent contemporary issue. When she was young, Ana Pêgo didn't play in a backyard, but on a beach. She walked along the shore, looked at tide pools, and collected fossils. As she grew older, Pêgo noticed a new species at the seaside: plastic. She decided to collect it, study it, and give it a Latin name--Plasticus maritimus--to warn people of its dangers to our planet. Pêgo tells us how plastics end up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans, shares plastic's chemical composition and physical properties, and offers a field guide to help readers identify and understand this new invasive species in all its forms, from the obvious (fishing nets and water bottles) to the unfamiliar (tiny, clear particles called microplastics). Finally, she offers a critical look at our current "solutions" to plastic contamination and in her most important proposal--REVOLUTIONIZE--calls for deep changes in our habits, motivating young and old alike to make a difference, together. An artificial and almost indestructible species, Plasticus maritimus deserves to have its days numbered! Together, we can send it packing. "A cleverly conceived and comprehensive introduction to a serious issue."-- Kirkus Reviews Honorable Mention--Bologna Ragazzi Award Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.
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