Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time…
Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time…
Remember back in the days of Earth Day 1 and 2? Hopeful times then. One of the many innovative solutions to the problem of our overflowing landfills was to use discarded tires as artificial reefs. The thought was that over time these tires would become encrusted with bits of this and that and become inviting habitats for all sorts of sea creatures. Well that was the idea.
Now it turns out that this idea has become another global ecological disaster.
This from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
"We've literally dumped millions of tires in our oceans,'' said Jack Sobel, a senior Ocean Conservancy scientist. "I believe that people who were behind the artificial tire reef promotions actually were well intentioned and thought they were doing the right thing. In hindsight, we now realize that we made a mistake.''No one can say with certainty why the idea doesn't work, but one problem is that, unlike large ships that have been sunk for reefs, tires are too light. They can be swept away with tides and currents from powerful storms, and marine life doesn't have a chance to attach. Some scientists also believe the rubber leeches toxins.
Another factor to consider within the larger ecological disaster known as the internal combustion engine with all its peripherals, and its fuel that we are all addicted to.