Focus Statement
When it comes to taking care of our planet, we know the world wants to help! The planet’s most valuable resources are at risk. Together, we have come up with a way we can start addressing the growing problems that will eventually fall into our lap, whether we like it or not.
Billions of dollars in tourism help ocean dependent Caribbean countries sustain family supporting jobs. With trash on the beaches, plastics in our oceans, very limited resources and funding, the economic impact has been devastating. Impoverished conditions, starvation and government restrictions further their hardship. Over 50% of Latino families in Central America live in poverty with no hope or opportunity to provide for their families and they need our help. The ongoing problem has left families panicked. Caravans of people gather by the tens of thousands to flee the horrible conditions in search of jobs and sanctuary. Many are heading to Mexico, hoping to eventually make it to the United States. With illegal immigration becoming a larger issue in the southern states, it is imperative we try to create sustainable living for our neighboring countries to the south. Well, how do we do that?
The obvious answer would be job creation for Central America’s poorest countries. Our main focus at caribbeancleanup.org is cleaning our beaches, oceans and natural waterways. The worldwide concern for our earth is growing at an alarming rate. We look to be the very first entity that gets to the root of the problem and not entertain temporary solutions. Our plan shuts off the main source of plastics and harmful contaminants coming from rivers and waterways so we can effectively make a difference when removing existing plastics. Our team is accepting donations that put local, Central American workers in family supporting jobs, clearing these pristine coastline beaches and trash from our oceans. Too many times have we seen short-sighted initiatives with millions of dollars in expensive equipment, only to fall short of any lasting impact.
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Our goal is sustainability. We are going to provide job fulfillment while simultaneously creating opportunity for development on some of the most beautiful water front property the world has to offer. We want to boost local economies and invest in a population that is extremely effective when combined with a very eager and affordable Central American workforce. With that, comes growth, an increase in tourism and a chance for families to provide and prosper within their own borders. All the while, we are cleaning our planet!
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With supply chain shortages in North America, we should be open to a future partnership with the Central American workforce. Illegal immigration costs the American taxpayers a mind-boggling 134.9 billion annually according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a Washington D.C. nonprofit. With those kinds of numbers, it makes sense to look towards an actual solution. We are the only non-profit set to achieve this goal. Like our efforts to get to the source of the pollution problem, we can curb the immigration problem at the same time. We can create a clean environment where Central Americans can support their families in their own countries and find peace with the places they call home. If funded, it is an opportunity that could save billions in tax dollars. Sizable caravans amassing in southern Mexico, looking to flee poverty and lack of employment, gives the situation great urgency.
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Our organizers work closely with local officials to allocate waste locations in existing landfills and creating new locations with up to date, waste management standards that allows us to re-use over 70% of the waste collected. In our efforts, we have found eco-friendly ways to reuse the plastics we clean from our waters and have developed a plan to make bio-diesel fuel from the waste. We make it a point to encourage trash receptacles on the beaches and rivers. More than that, we look to educate people in proper waste management practices in order to protect future generations from problems far worse than the ones we are facing today.
Many other organizations have begun to remove plastic from our oceans. The largest and most well known cleanup effort has raised more than 20 million dollars per year over the last 10 years and is a for-profit company. In terms of waste removed, they have just surpassed the 2 million kg mark in a 10 year span and in this time, they have built a $51 million asset portfolio. An estimated 12.7 million tons of harmful plastics are deposited into our oceans every year. In order to put the problem in perspective, they have removed less than 6% of the ocean’s daily intake over that entire period. Although it is much needed, we view this as a frivolous effort and look toward an actual solution.
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With an appropriate budget and only 1000 local workers, we could meet that number in less than 6 months and simultaneously develop a solution through education and proper waste management practices. Our goal is simple: to grow Caribbeancleanup.org into one of the largest non-profits in the United States with the help of our neighbors to the South. We plan to keep families together in Central America, giving alternative ways to avoid dangerous migration in search of work. Our pilot program will start on the Motagua River and Las Vacas tributary between Honduras and Guatemala. These 2 waterways account for 3.7% of the world's ocean pollution and we intend to stop it where it starts.
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Marine life and Caribbean economies are in grave danger and require us to act now before it is too late. By organizing this into a global effort, we can make a difference. With small donations from people like you, people who are aware of the problem, we can effectively protect the Earth’s most precious resources and give a way for locals to provide for themselves and their families. Visit us today at caribbeancleanup.org
Sincerely,
The Caribbean Clean Up Team
"Healthy Children, Healthy Animals, Healthy Planet... Healthy Future"
