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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The Motagua River in Guatemala, one of Central America's most polluted rivers, sees 40 million pounds of trash enter the ocean annually
• The startup 4ocean has installed a containment boom 30 miles upstream to capture debris, collecting 100,000 pounds of trash since 2023
🔭 The context: 4ocean, founded after a surfing trip in Bali, aims to tackle plastic pollution by removing waste from waterways and repurposing it into products
• Their work in Guatemala faces challenges, including damage to the boom during heavy storms
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The Motagua River’s pollution contributes significantly to global ocean plastic, with potential harmful effects on marine life and local communities dependent on fishing
⏭️ What's next: 4ocean and other organizations, like The Ocean Cleanup, continue to improve infrastructure and raise awareness to reduce plastic pollution at the source and involve local communities in conservation efforts
💬 One quote: "We have to stop it at the source and turn off the tap." - Alex Schulze, co-founder of 4ocean
📈 One stat: The boom has captured 100,000 pounds of trash since 2023, a small but crucial step in addressing the river’s pollution
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