In 1997, while competing in a yachting competition, Charles Moore discovered what would later be called the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch." It is a collection of plastic litter that has made its way into the ocean from land-based activities and from ships and oil rigs that dump or lose debris. Since plastic does not biodegrade, the plastics break down into smaller and smaller pieces and can ruin the ocean environment. Marine mammals can get caught in abandoned nets, aquatic animals can mistake the plastic for food and the debris can block the sunlight from reaching the ocean floor. Thankfully, a foundation called "The Ocean Cleanup" is working towards removing plastic from our oceans using methods that will not harm the environment. In addition, their methods are 33 times cheaper than traditional methods. Canada should donate $50 million dollars to help fund The Ocean Cleanup in the hopes that other countries will follow our lead and address this global issue.