With Sara and me doing comparative beach clean ups, the differences we find in the amount of cigarette litter on a non-smoking beach vs. a smoking beach continually blows my mind. When updating mine and Sara's comparisons, I noticed that in 84 clean ups in Santa Monica... Sara has picked up 565 cigarette butts. On Wednesday, I (alone) picked up 582 cigarette butts in 20 minutes. In one 20 minute beach clean up, I picked up more cigarette butts than Sara has picked up in 84! (insane)
If you're a registered voter at Wrightsville Beach...
YOU have the POWER to CHANGE this! Smoke-free beach ordinances help to majorly reduce cigarette litter!!
Tell your neighbors, tell your friends, tell your family.. get out and VOTE FOR the referendum!
So with the WB vote and knowing Sara will complete her goal of 365 non-consecutive beach clean ups by the end of 2012... I have been thinking a lot about how long I should continue documenting, collecting and weighing litter picked up in 20 minutes at Wrightsville Beach. To be honest the past few months, I've felt this ball of energy in me... what to do? what to do?
I've never really had an end plan... I started this because I was inspired... I was moved to do something... to take action. Everything just flowed... as it should when something is so right. But what I've realized is that this ball of energy within me, is about moving forward. As Wrightsville Beach residents will vote on a referendum to (hopefully) make WB smoke-free and as Sara is 18 beach clean ups away from her goal... I know that I'm not ready to stop.
So here is my official announcement!! From this point forward, I have an end plan. Inspired by the dedication and commitment of Sara, I'm going all the way. (Happy Belated Birthday Sara!!!) 365 non-consecutive beach clean ups here I come!
165 down... 200 to go!!!
20 minutes on October 24, 2012 at Access 16
Cigarette butts: 582
Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 165 days:
52,337
Good for you!!!!! I always just assumed you were doing 365--yay! But.... you might need more garage space for all those butts! :-) Or, maybe not if the ban passes!
ReplyDeleteBest Happy Birthday present announcement ever. I'm full of emotion and gratitude for you and this post I just read. I"ll have to come to your 365 wrap party :) which probably won't be the end either :) Here's to moving forward together! I am so glad I have you for company! I felt the same way as I approached the end of my 365 goal. It would be great to take a break from being so accountable, but I couldn't stop. I've imagined a new phase now and so glad to share it with you in Dec..
ReplyDeleteBehind you all the way my friend!
xo
Sara