-An exciting account of an activist scientist's unorthodox fight in the growing movement against plastic marine pollution and of his expedition across the Pacific on a home-made -junk raft- Over the past several years, the news media has brought the -Great Pacific Garbage Patch---the famous swirling gyre of plastic litter in the ocean--into the public consciousness. When Marcus Eriksen cofounded the 5 Gyres Institute with his wife, Anna, and set out to study marine pollution, they found that the reality is even more dire: instead of a stable mass of litter, they discovered that a -plastic smog- of microparticles permeates the world's oceans, defying simplistic clean-up efforts. What's more, these microplastics and their toxic chemistry have seeped into the food chain, threatening marine life and humans alike. Far from being a gloomy treatise on an environmental catastrophe, though, Junk Raft tells the exciting story of Eriksen's fight to raise awareness and solve the problem of plastic pollution, contributing to a fast-growing movement to stem the tide of trash. Eriksen writes of his voyage from Los Angeles to Hawaii aboard his homemade -junk raft,- and along the way he recounts the successful efforts to fight corporate influence and demand that plastics producers take responsibility for a problem they've created. Eriksen provides concrete, actionable solutions and an empowering message: it's up to bold, brash, unapologetically activist -citizen scientists- to challenge the status quo for the sake of the planet---

An exciting account of a scientist’s expedition across the Pacific on a home-made “junk raft” in order to learn more about plastic marine pollution A scientist, activist, and inveterate adventurer, Eriksen and his co-navigator, Joel Paschal, construct a “junk raft” made of plastic trash and set themselves adrift from Los Angeles to Hawaii, with no motor or support vessel, confronting perilous cyclones, food shortages, and a fast decaying raft. As Eriksen recounts his struggles to keep afloat, he immerses readers in the deep history of the plastic pollution crisis and the movement that has arisen to combat it. The proliferation of cheap plastic products during the twentieth century has left the world awash in trash. Meanwhile, the plastics industry, with its lobbying muscle, fights tooth and nail against any changes that would affect its lucrative status quo, instead defending poorly designed products and deflecting responsibility for the harm they cause. But, as Eriksen shows, the tide is turning in the battle to save the world’s oceans. He recounts the successful efforts that he and many other activists are waging to fight corporate influence and demand that plastics producers be held accountable. Junk Raft provides concrete, actionable solutions and an empowering message: it’s within our power to change the throw-away culture for the sake of our planet.

Sailors travel in a raft made of trash to demonstrate why we should not put junk in the ocean.

A flock of birds was moving toward me along the river, hovering over something floating on the water. It drifteddownstream, closer and closer, until finally it bumped up against the dock. Though it was covered with leaves and branches, now I could tell that it was a raft. I reached down and pushed some of the leaves aside. Beneath them was a drawing of a rabbit. It looked like those ancient cave paintings I'd seen in books--just outlines, but wild and fast and free. Nicky isn't one bit happy about spending the summer with his grandma in the Wisconsin woods, but them the raft appears and changes everything. As Nicky explores, the raft works a subtle magic, opening up the wonders all around him--the animals of river and woods, his grandmother's humor and wisdom, and his own special talent as an artist.

Uncle John's fabulous and fascinating For Kids Only reader is back. No parents allowed! We admit it: Uncle John wasn’t a great student. He’d rather draw plungers or make fart noises than read boring school books. So we made this book with little Uncle John in mind. It’s full of fun facts and funny illustrations--all designed to make your teacher squirm. It’s got the weird. It’s got the wacky. And it definitely has the gross. So hide this book from the grownups as you check out . . . * Icky eats: fried spiders and candy-coated larvae * Hunting for real hidden treasures * The history of doughnuts * How to make armpit farts * Goofball students who grew up to be president * Wrong facts your teacher thinks are true Plus dumb crooks, amazing kids, animal oddities, and a whole lot more!

In 2007, Roz Savage set out to row 8,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean—alone. Despite having successfully rowed across the Atlantic the previous year, the Pacific presented the former office worker with unprecedented challenges and overpowering currents—both in the ocean water and within herself. Crossing Earth’s largest ocean alone might seem a long way removed from everyday life, yet the lessons Roz learned about the inner journey, the ocean, and the world are relevant to all of us. She shares tales of the ups and downs of her voyage across the waves, while offering insights on how to find happiness through a meaningful and rewarding life.

The Ocean: A Handbook is a treasure trove of information and inspiration for anyone with an abiding love for the ocean. This beautiful book features short-subject deep dives on topics like science, sailing, kayaking, surfing, diving, survival, and much more. From experienced seafarers to ocean novices, for those about to ride their first wave, stand-up paddle on a dive, find a simple "one pan" galley recipe, or identify a bird that landed on the bow, The Ocean is rich with how-to advice and instruction. • Features expert consultation and entertaining asides about the sea • Filled with more than 200 informative and evocative illustrations • A compilation of miscellany and delight for the ocean lover In The Ocean, a sense of respect and wonder for the ocean come together under a foil-stamped and textured cover. This book is the go-to guide for anyone captivated by the wonder, power, and mystery of the sea. • An entertaining, authoritative, and captivating guide to all activities involving the sea • The ultimate book for sailors, fishers, surfers, beachcombers, and ocean lovers everywhere • Perfect for people who live in coastal areas, those who love the ocean, sailing, and ships • You'll love this book if you love books like SAS Survival Handbook by John Wiseman, Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden, and Cabin Porn by Beaver Brook.