Pacific Garbage Screening – how architecture could save our oceans | Marcella Hansch | TEDxDresden

and yeah this is me but actually a

and yeah this is me but actually a younger version of me like around four

younger version of me like around four

younger version of me like around four years ago I was studying architecture

years ago I was studying architecture

years ago I was studying architecture and yeah was that small four years ago I

and yeah was that small four years ago I

and yeah was that small four years ago I was studying architecture and yeah I

was studying architecture and yeah I

was studying architecture and yeah I didn’t think about the future too much

didn’t think about the future too much

didn’t think about the future too much enjoying life traveling around a lot and

enjoying life traveling around a lot and

enjoying life traveling around a lot and I really loved being in the mountains

I really loved being in the mountains

I really loved being in the mountains hiking and stuff and also loved being at

hiking and stuff and also loved being at

hiking and stuff and also loved being at the sea and still loved it and I really

the sea and still loved it and I really

the sea and still loved it and I really do love diving there is just a little

do love diving there is just a little

do love diving there is just a little problem because I do have a diving

problem because I do have a diving

problem because I do have a diving license and I really enjoy being

license and I really enjoy being

license and I really enjoy being underwater but I’m afraid of fishes

underwater but I’m afraid of fishes

underwater but I’m afraid of fishes it’s a truce and actually I did this

it’s a truce and actually I did this

it’s a truce and actually I did this diving license and the lessons to get

diving license and the lessons to get

diving license and the lessons to get rid of the fear but yeah sometimes it

rid of the fear but yeah sometimes it

rid of the fear but yeah sometimes it works sometimes not and in four years

works sometimes not and in four years

works sometimes not and in four years ago in the last year of my studies I

ago in the last year of my studies I

ago in the last year of my studies I went diving with a friend and it was a

went diving with a friend and it was a

went diving with a friend and it was a beautiful die for these little fellows

beautiful die for these little fellows

beautiful die for these little fellows and I watched them they were quite far

and I watched them they were quite far

and I watched them they were quite far away so everything was good was a

away so everything was good was a

away so everything was good was a comfortable life and suddenly something

comfortable life and suddenly something

comfortable life and suddenly something was touching my feet and I was like

was touching my feet and I was like

was touching my feet and I was like completely shocked and thought oh my god

completely shocked and thought oh my god

completely shocked and thought oh my god that’s a huge big shark trying to eat me

that’s a huge big shark trying to eat me

that’s a huge big shark trying to eat me but of course it was not a shark it was

but of course it was not a shark it was

but of course it was not a shark it was actually just a plastic bag and I was

actually just a plastic bag and I was

actually just a plastic bag and I was confused because I thought why Sir

confused because I thought why Sir

confused because I thought why Sir plastic inside the water and ya didn’t

plastic inside the water and ya didn’t

plastic inside the water and ya didn’t know what to what to do and I watched

know what to what to do and I watched

know what to what to do and I watched around and actually there were more

around and actually there were more

around and actually there were more plastic around me than fishes little

plastic around me than fishes little

plastic around me than fishes little pieces little bottles stuff like that it

pieces little bottles stuff like that it

pieces little bottles stuff like that it was yeah a little bit frightened so I

was yeah a little bit frightened so I

was yeah a little bit frightened so I went back home and couldn’t stop think

went back home and couldn’t stop think

went back home and couldn’t stop think about this topic and I always had this

about this topic and I always had this

about this topic and I always had this plastic back in my mind and even it was

plastic back in my mind and even it was

plastic back in my mind and even it was it was not dangerous for me because it

it was not dangerous for me because it

it was not dangerous for me because it was not a shark it’s dangerous for all

was not a shark it’s dangerous for all

was not a shark it’s dangerous for all these little fellows and there’s a lot

these little fellows and there’s a lot

these little fellows and there’s a lot of research and try to get more

of research and try to get more

of research and try to get more information because a couple of years

information because a couple of years

information because a couple of years ago it was not that much in the news

ago it was not that much in the news

ago it was not that much in the news editors today so I got a lot of

editors today so I got a lot of

editors today so I got a lot of information while doing research and

information while doing research and

information while doing research and it’s a huge problem and every year 6.5

it’s a huge problem and every year 6.5

it’s a huge problem and every year 6.5 million tons of plastic are getting into

million tons of plastic are getting into

million tons of plastic are getting into our oceans by rivers and stuff like that

our oceans by rivers and stuff like that

our oceans by rivers and stuff like that and if you count that it’s like seven

and if you count that it’s like seven

and if you count that it’s like seven hundred thirty tons an hour which are

hundred thirty tons an hour which are

hundred thirty tons an hour which are just like in the picture getting into

just like in the picture getting into

just like in the picture getting into the water which is quite yeah shocking

the water which is quite yeah shocking

the water which is quite yeah shocking and frightening the worst thing is that

and frightening the worst thing is that

and frightening the worst thing is that all the fishes all these little nice

all the fishes all these little nice

all the fishes all these little nice fellows are eating the plastic and it’s

fellows are eating the plastic and it’s

fellows are eating the plastic and it’s getting into their muscles changing the

getting into their muscles changing the

getting into their muscles changing the DNA and finally even we are eating the

DNA and finally even we are eating the

DNA and finally even we are eating the plastic because we the humans are at the

plastic because we the humans are at the

plastic because we the humans are at the end of the food chain and when we eat

end of the food chain and when we eat

end of the food chain and when we eat plastic fishes we also eat plastic which

plastic fishes we also eat plastic which

plastic fishes we also eat plastic which is kind of not that cool and yeah we

is kind of not that cool and yeah we

is kind of not that cool and yeah we don’t like it so in the main question I

don’t like it so in the main question I

don’t like it so in the main question I asked myself why is there no solution I

asked myself why is there no solution I

asked myself why is there no solution I mean we are like intelligent people and

mean we are like intelligent people and

mean we are like intelligent people and there should be a reason solution for

there should be a reason solution for

there should be a reason solution for that and the question is the answer for

that and the question is the answer for

that and the question is the answer for this question is quite simple because

this question is quite simple because

this question is quite simple because it’s really really difficult there is

it’s really really difficult there is

it’s really really difficult there is not just the huge plastic bags floating

not just the huge plastic bags floating

not just the huge plastic bags floating in the water but also little pieces

in the water but also little pieces

in the water but also little pieces cause all these bags and plastic bottles

cause all these bags and plastic bottles

cause all these bags and plastic bottles are breaking down to little little

are breaking down to little little

are breaking down to little little pieces and you cannot just take a net

pieces and you cannot just take a net

pieces and you cannot just take a net and collect them because if you do that

and collect them because if you do that

and collect them because if you do that you collect all the fishes or the plants

you collect all the fishes or the plants

you collect all the fishes or the plants on all the tea creatures and that

on all the tea creatures and that

on all the tea creatures and that doesn’t make any sense actually so I try

doesn’t make any sense actually so I try

doesn’t make any sense actually so I try to think about what can we do how can we

to think about what can we do how can we

to think about what can we do how can we get it out of the water and I’m not the

get it out of the water and I’m not the

get it out of the water and I’m not the first person thinking about how to clean

first person thinking about how to clean

first person thinking about how to clean water so yeah normally you get huge

water so yeah normally you get huge

water so yeah normally you get huge plants and they are working the main

plants and they are working the main

plants and they are working the main part of a sewage plant is a huge bezel

part of a sewage plant is a huge bezel

part of a sewage plant is a huge bezel it’s called sedimentation basin the

it’s called sedimentation basin the

it’s called sedimentation basin the water is getting inside getting calmed

water is getting inside getting calmed

water is getting inside getting calmed down and the sediment is going to the

down and the sediment is going to the

down and the sediment is going to the ground and the clean water is just going

ground and the clean water is just going

ground and the clean water is just going further and if you take this principle

further and if you take this principle

further and if you take this principle and you just turn it upside down because

and you just turn it upside down because

and you just turn it upside down because in the oceans there is these little

in the oceans there is these little

in the oceans there is these little particles accumulating

particles accumulating

particles accumulating in such cold ocean gyres it’s because of

in such cold ocean gyres it’s because of

in such cold ocean gyres it’s because of the currents around the world and this

the currents around the world and this

the currents around the world and this plastic is not floating on the surface

plastic is not floating on the surface

plastic is not floating on the surface but in the four first forty meters and

but in the four first forty meters and

but in the four first forty meters and if you could find a solution to calm

if you could find a solution to calm

if you could find a solution to calm down the oceans in special points then

down the oceans in special points then

down the oceans in special points then the plastic which has a lower density

the plastic which has a lower density

the plastic which has a lower density than water can go up to the surface and

than water can go up to the surface and

than water can go up to the surface and as I’m an architect I tried something

as I’m an architect I tried something

as I’m an architect I tried something with architecture so I build in platform

with architecture so I build in platform

with architecture so I build in platform which is like 400 meters wide quite big

which is like 400 meters wide quite big

which is like 400 meters wide quite big which is floating on positioned and

which is floating on positioned and

which is floating on positioned and anchoring inside these ocean gyres and

anchoring inside these ocean gyres and

anchoring inside these ocean gyres and there is a canal system underneath the

there is a canal system underneath the

there is a canal system underneath the surface so it’s going down to 40 meters

surface so it’s going down to 40 meters

surface so it’s going down to 40 meters where the covering of the plastic

where the covering of the plastic

where the covering of the plastic particles is the highest and the water

particles is the highest and the water

particles is the highest and the water is going inside inside this canal system

is going inside inside this canal system

is going inside inside this canal system and because of the form the water is

and because of the form the water is

and because of the form the water is getting calm down and all these little

getting calm down and all these little

getting calm down and all these little plastic particles can go up with their

plastic particles can go up with their

plastic particles can go up with their own density because there are no

own density because there are no

own density because there are no currents no winds no stuff which turns

currents no winds no stuff which turns

currents no winds no stuff which turns around around you can just go with a

around around you can just go with a

around around you can just go with a natural draft up to the surface

natural draft up to the surface

natural draft up to the surface and this is it this is actually yeah

and this is it this is actually yeah

and this is it this is actually yeah this huge platform looking a little bit

this huge platform looking a little bit

this huge platform looking a little bit like a spaceship not going to Mars

like a spaceship not going to Mars

like a spaceship not going to Mars actually and the water is going inside

actually and the water is going inside

actually and the water is going inside and because of this form it’s getting

and because of this form it’s getting

and because of this form it’s getting calm down and in the end of the platform

calm down and in the end of the platform

calm down and in the end of the platform all the plastic is coming to this

all the plastic is coming to this

all the plastic is coming to this surface so we can just skim it from the

surface so we can just skim it from the

surface so we can just skim it from the surface and don’t need any net filter

surface and don’t need any net filter

surface and don’t need any net filter system complicated stuff like that and

system complicated stuff like that and

system complicated stuff like that and all the little fellows the fishes sea

all the little fellows the fishes sea

all the little fellows the fishes sea creatures they can just pass through so

creatures they can just pass through so

creatures they can just pass through so there’s no net no nothing to stop them

there’s no net no nothing to stop them

there’s no net no nothing to stop them and the next great question was what to

and the next great question was what to

and the next great question was what to do with the ocean plastic because

do with the ocean plastic because

do with the ocean plastic because actually it’s not waste waste is yeah

actually it’s not waste waste is yeah

actually it’s not waste waste is yeah you can just burn it but the ocean

you can just burn it but the ocean

you can just burn it but the ocean plastic is actually a huge resource and

plastic is actually a huge resource and

plastic is actually a huge resource and I think we should use it so my idea so

I think we should use it so my idea so

I think we should use it so my idea so I’m an architect no chemicals Lucas or

I’m an architect no chemicals Lucas or

I’m an architect no chemicals Lucas or biologist but my idea was to get if I it

biologist but my idea was to get if I it

biologist but my idea was to get if I it because when you gasify it

because when you gasify it

because when you gasify it and you get a synthetic gas out of it

and you get a synthetic gas out of it

and you get a synthetic gas out of it which is made of hydrogen and co2 the

which is made of hydrogen and co2 the

which is made of hydrogen and co2 the hydrogen you can put into burning cells

hydrogen you can put into burning cells

hydrogen you can put into burning cells so you get energy to get the platform

so you get energy to get the platform

so you get energy to get the platform run and the co2 you can put into algae

run and the co2 you can put into algae

run and the co2 you can put into algae cultures and there’s one special species

cultures and there’s one special species

cultures and there’s one special species I’m not a biologist but I did kind of a

I’m not a biologist but I did kind of a

I’m not a biologist but I did kind of a lot of research and there’s one species

lot of research and there’s one species

lot of research and there’s one species when you put sulfur out of it while

when you put sulfur out of it while

when you put sulfur out of it while growing it’s producing hydrogen not

growing it’s producing hydrogen not

growing it’s producing hydrogen not oxygen like normally so you get even

oxygen like normally so you get even

oxygen like normally so you get even more energy to get the platform run and

more energy to get the platform run and

more energy to get the platform run and if you take the biomass of the aggies

if you take the biomass of the aggies

if you take the biomass of the aggies you can make new algae plastics out of

you can make new algae plastics out of

you can make new algae plastics out of it

it

it so finally you get like more or less a

so finally you get like more or less a

so finally you get like more or less a circle you put the old plastic out of

circle you put the old plastic out of

circle you put the old plastic out of the water get energy a new plastic which

the water get energy a new plastic which

the water get energy a new plastic which is biodegradable and doesn’t harm the

is biodegradable and doesn’t harm the

is biodegradable and doesn’t harm the ocean anymore so this was it this was

ocean anymore so this was it this was

ocean anymore so this was it this was actually my master thesis in

actually my master thesis in

actually my master thesis in architecture nothing to do that much was

architecture nothing to do that much was

architecture nothing to do that much was architecture in the end just how it

architecture in the end just how it

architecture in the end just how it looks like and I called it Pacific

looks like and I called it Pacific

looks like and I called it Pacific rabbit screening Pacific because of the

rabbit screening Pacific because of the

rabbit screening Pacific because of the North Pacific Garbage Patch because

North Pacific Garbage Patch because

North Pacific Garbage Patch because that’s a huge the biggest of the ocean

that’s a huge the biggest of the ocean

that’s a huge the biggest of the ocean gyres and yeah normally with

gyres and yeah normally with

gyres and yeah normally with Massachusetts you got your degree happy

Massachusetts you got your degree happy

Massachusetts you got your degree happy life can start the normal way is you

life can start the normal way is you

life can start the normal way is you take it put it in a box forget about it

take it put it in a box forget about it

take it put it in a box forget about it that’s the normal way but somehow that

that’s the normal way but somehow that

that’s the normal way but somehow that didn’t happen there were a lot of people

didn’t happen there were a lot of people

didn’t happen there were a lot of people talking to me saying hey cool idea

talking to me saying hey cool idea

talking to me saying hey cool idea that’s great

that’s great

that’s great do you think about if it’s feasible did

do you think about if it’s feasible did

do you think about if it’s feasible did you ever do to a calculation or whatever

you ever do to a calculation or whatever

you ever do to a calculation or whatever I was like yeah I’m an architect

I was like yeah I’m an architect

I was like yeah I’m an architect I cannot count that or do a calculation

I cannot count that or do a calculation

I cannot count that or do a calculation and stuff so I started to talk to people

and stuff so I started to talk to people

and stuff so I started to talk to people and I started to do to ask questions who

and I started to do to ask questions who

and I started to do to ask questions who can help me how can we prove it we need

can help me how can we prove it we need

can help me how can we prove it we need a calculation who can help me and

a calculation who can help me and

a calculation who can help me and finally let’s do something because

finally let’s do something because

finally let’s do something because probably the idea is not bad bad so I

probably the idea is not bad bad so I

probably the idea is not bad bad so I really found some people engineers and

really found some people engineers and

really found some people engineers and university

university

university and the main question was does a concept

and the main question was does a concept

and the main question was does a concept work and they did a calculation not me

work and they did a calculation not me

work and they did a calculation not me and the first results were like yes good

and the first results were like yes good

and the first results were like yes good work and I was quite happy like cool

work and I was quite happy like cool

work and I was quite happy like cool little architecture student had a great

little architecture student had a great

little architecture student had a great idea and finally it’s probably working

idea and finally it’s probably working

idea and finally it’s probably working so we decided to go on with the idea to

so we decided to go on with the idea to

so we decided to go on with the idea to go on with the proof and yeah we I got a

go on with the proof and yeah we I got a

go on with the proof and yeah we I got a team and our team is in these days

team and our team is in these days

team and our team is in these days really growing and growing growing and

really growing and growing growing and

really growing and growing growing and in the beginning of the year we decided

in the beginning of the year we decided

in the beginning of the year we decided to found an NGO and the NGO is called

to found an NGO and the NGO is called

to found an NGO and the NGO is called Pacific our screening and we are a kind

Pacific our screening and we are a kind

Pacific our screening and we are a kind of a young motivated team we are all

of a young motivated team we are all

of a young motivated team we are all volunteers working on this topic and we

volunteers working on this topic and we

volunteers working on this topic and we want to yeah we want to do something and

want to yeah we want to do something and

want to yeah we want to do something and we want to build it and our intention is

we want to build it and our intention is

we want to build it and our intention is not to to get money for that because

not to to get money for that because

not to to get money for that because there is not a business plan behind this

there is not a business plan behind this

there is not a business plan behind this idea first of all it’s like caring about

idea first of all it’s like caring about

idea first of all it’s like caring about our planet and to do something because

our planet and to do something because

our planet and to do something because actually I like this planet and I don’t

actually I like this planet and I don’t

actually I like this planet and I don’t want to move to another one where I have

want to move to another one where I have

want to move to another one where I have to put a goldfish bowl on my head every

to put a goldfish bowl on my head every

to put a goldfish bowl on my head every time when I lift the door and I would

time when I lift the door and I would

time when I lift the door and I would like even my kids sometimes probably to

like even my kids sometimes probably to

like even my kids sometimes probably to live on this planet and not on another

live on this planet and not on another

live on this planet and not on another so what we want to do is to build a

so what we want to do is to build a

so what we want to do is to build a feasible technology it doesn’t make any

feasible technology it doesn’t make any

feasible technology it doesn’t make any sense to build a spaceship probably in a

sense to build a spaceship probably in a

sense to build a spaceship probably in a couple of years then I’m quite happy but

couple of years then I’m quite happy but

couple of years then I’m quite happy but the first thing is to build a prototype

the first thing is to build a prototype

the first thing is to build a prototype so we want to build little little models

so we want to build little little models

so we want to build little little models which we can put into rivers or river

which we can put into rivers or river

which we can put into rivers or river mouths so we can collect the plastic

mouths so we can collect the plastic

mouths so we can collect the plastic before it’s entering the oceans like

before it’s entering the oceans like

before it’s entering the oceans like being more effective and yeah collecting

being more effective and yeah collecting

being more effective and yeah collecting it before it’s harming the oceans and

it before it’s harming the oceans and

it before it’s harming the oceans and that’s what we are working on right now

that’s what we are working on right now

that’s what we are working on right now we’re trying to get research funds for

we’re trying to get research funds for

we’re trying to get research funds for that and here trying to get a model to

that and here trying to get a model to

that and here trying to get a model to put it into a kennel and to test it and

put it into a kennel and to test it and

put it into a kennel and to test it and our motivation is to stay on these

our motivation is to stay on these

our motivation is to stay on these planets and to yeah to keep this planet

planets and to yeah to keep this planet

planets and to yeah to keep this planet life because the the chance to go to

life because the the chance to go to

life because the the chance to go to another planets is possible probably in

another planets is possible probably in

another planets is possible probably in a couple of years

a couple of years

a couple of years but there are no rivers no forests no

but there are no rivers no forests no

but there are no rivers no forests no nothing all things I love when I do

nothing all things I love when I do

nothing all things I love when I do travelling they are not on Mars

travelling they are not on Mars

travelling they are not on Mars so our intention is we want to save our

so our intention is we want to save our

so our intention is we want to save our oceans and finally we want to save our

oceans and finally we want to save our

oceans and finally we want to save our very very beautiful planet

very very beautiful planet

very very beautiful planet [Applause]