The ocean. Why are we having this hearing . Sullivan and the white house will leave me alone. [laughter] evertelling you, if we clean up plastics in the ocean, it will be because of these two folks and senator lee and i will be willing coconspirators. I have been told about this a lot, and im astounded by the problem mankind has created for the oceans. We can be better stewards of gods creation. We are going to have a hearing today about some solutions, and we are going to find a way to thate some kind of fund people can contribute to. I know they are doing it at the world bank, but i like the you comend idea where together to solve the problem. To our two colleagues, to live for your leadership. Senator lee . Thank you, mr. Chairman. With all the joking that goes back and forth, it is safe to say that the chairman and i feel very strongly about this. Vietnam last year and we met with the vietnamese officials and scientists to discuss Ocean Plastic pollution and had a great meeting, and we talked about a country with a and when ioastline say we, that means all human beings, are causing irreparable harm to the oceans emerging wildlife. Is the primaryt source of protein for billions in this world. It is from carbon emissions, Plastic Wastes, rivers empty to oceans with discarded plastic. Each is littered with it. And the coral reefs are dying. And from a personal point of view, my wife marcel and i, we are average scuba divers. Over the last 25 years, we have seen more and more of the damage this has caused. Turtle seen a dead sea choked to death by a piece of it. Tic around it was literally hanged by the plastic. But then weve seen a whole lot of others. Plastics,en debris, but that disappearing, in itself stops a whole and it couldstem ofer half a tennis court debris in the dead whale. Just think about that. They are ingesting it. Is to was shocked to find find out that even plaintiff and. Re ingesting plastics isot of people say recycling it, but less than 10 of the worlds recycling plastic is recycled. Some plastics, like plastic bags cannot be recycled. Even plastics that are recyclable are only used a couple of times and then discarded. As a correspondent to the break free from plastic act, and in my state of vermont, have a new law eliminating plastic bags and straws. Let the record reflect that. That was polluting, among i do not evenand want to go into all the things that they can talk about on their coastlines. Putting my whole statement in the record, but we often talk generation and i think of our children and grandchildren. This is not a world there should be in if this continues. Not a world anyone of us want to be in. In fact, it is a world that will not support a lot of people the world supports today. Thank you for having this hearing. Well said, senator william. I promise are two senators will get you out and look forward to your testimony, but we are going to do something about this. I know the average american thinks we have lost our mind appear, but there is a lot we agree on, and plastics out of the oceans should be something we should come together on with that. Over to senator sullivan. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about this important issue. I would like to say it is great to be here with my fellow friends and colleagues. We have spent a lot of time on this issue together, and the good news is we are making progress. I will not brag too much about alaska, but when we are talking about coastlines, we are aware of the challenge. Some of you may know the morestic that my state has of a coastline than the lower states combined. When we have beach cleanups, which is often a mix of plastic, trashion, fishing gear, so much that it is measured in mr. , not pounds, and chairman, as you know, the vast majority comes from overseas. We are not perfect in our country, but this is a problem that demands an International Element to address it. Senator whitehouse and i worked on the save our seas act in the last congress and it was passed. We had a very useful signing ceremony with the president , who is quite motivated on these issues. That led to the save our seas the senateich passed in january and is under consideration in the house. Senator murphy, who is here, senator kunz, van hollen, they were cosponsors, and mr. Chairman, you are, as all. It is not a Silver Bullet but crs call that the most comprehensive Ocean Cleanup legislation ever to pass the United States senate. We are proud of that bill. Everything,solve but, as i mentioned, mr. Chairman, that has a lot of provisions, the save our seas act 2. 0, to tackle this problem globally. I will not go through all elements of it, but it is working internationally and prioritizes state department usaid, and i know you will hear from them today on United States being the leader in Marine Debris efforts globally. I think you are starting to see that, mr. Chairman. Usmca, at in the provision on ocean debris. There is an entire chapter on Sustainable Fisheries that i had a little bit to do with. Think, it is a challenge, but at the end of the day, this is a good news story. Why . Because it is an environmental issue that we can target and we can solve. The estimates are some 70 of all the worlds global plastics, Marine Debris comes from 10 rivers in asia and africa. We can solve this, and here is the other good news element. You are seeing all the key stakeholders. Democrats, republicans in the congress, the trump administration, which i think really wants to play a constructive leadership role, and the key ocean environmental groups, industry. We were at the launch of the alliance to end Plastic Waste, a group of nearly of the top 50 companies in our country that 1. 5pledged over 100 billion to clean up the oceans, and that is the key, mr. Chairman. Key stakeholders all working together on an environmental issue we can solve. That is why the hearing is important and our Work Together we think has made progress, and we are very honored, mr. Chairman, senator leahy, that you are holding the hearing to continue our leadership efforts. Bipartisan with the United States leading on an issue that people are coming together on and we can solve, so we would like to thank you for holding this hearing. Thank you for all you have done to bring this to my attention. Senator . Thank you, chairman graham, for hosting this. First of all, it is a treat to be here and see you and senator lahey came together so well on so many issues. It is a good sign for the senate, the relationship that you two have, and it gives will makence that we progress in this hearing. And it is good to be here with my compadre dan solomon. As he said, we do beach cleanups dan sullivan. As he said, we do beach cleanups with trashbags, so it is a real problem for alaska but the entire world because plastic pollution and Marine Debris befouled all our oceans and hurt Global Coastal communities. About 8 Million Metric Tons of this trash goes into the sea every year. Grocery bagsfive full of plastic trash on every square foot of shoreline on the world and kick it into the ocean, that is the scale of what we are doing every year, and at this rate, there will be more plastic by weight in the ocean then fished by wig fish by weight by 2050. It is an Unexplained Health issue because plastic breaks down into tiny microscopic pieces and infiltrates the marine food change, with harm we need to understand to fish wildlife and human health. We are not doing a very good job handling as an billing at handling this. As a world, much of what we fail to manage goes into the ocean. International efforts will help us combat this Plastic Ocean pollution and we can make positive changes at home because our waste and Water Infrastructure needs improving, as does our recycling system. New plasticreduce waste and create economic incentives to clean up the Plastic Waste already be following our seas. Seas, mentioned by dan, and save our seas 2. 0 show bipartisan support to discuss plastic pollution. Save our seas is already law, and it was passed by unanimous consent and we hope to pass it in this congress. We need to boost International Engagement and strengthen our domestic response. And so it is out there right now, and ocean trust fund, problue, at the world bank already helps to address the threat of Ocean Plastics. And it raises awareness and integrates International Efforts and promotes private sector investments. The United States should step up on combating ocean pollution, as we traditionally have in fishery management and ocean management, both by contributing to the fund and by establishing our own to support it and vindicate our own policies. We should strengthen the department of state and usaids work. They support International Efforts to address Marine Debris. There is no reason for the u. S. To be laggards in this space. Already underway at the National Academy of sciences to look at the geographic distribution of our own Plastic Waste, where we exported, whether there is adequate provident, and what support. So providing a fund can help us act on these. It is a global problem with bipartisan support for action in congress and strong statements, as senator sullivan said, from the president , secretary of state, and our trade representative. There is no reason not to move forward. It will take a National Sponsor because so much of the problem is overseas. Powering up the state and launching funding for plastic reduction through problue, our own, or both, would ensure United States is an acknowledged leader in this space. There is no reason not to move forward, mr. Chairman, and there is every reason to move forward. For the sake of our coastal communities, or the sake of human health, and the sake of a healthy, futile full, and clean ocean. I know you are an advocate for the atlantic shore of south carolina, as i am for our beautiful sparkling shore and bay in rhode island, and i appreciate very much that you and that famous scuba diver, Ranking Member lahey, our enthusiasts, so i appreciate it. Know, before you leave, i know you are busy, thank you both. I am not joking. I do not realize the scope of the problem. It is mindboggling we done this to the ocean. The good news is there is a way out of this mess. You have to follow your leadership, since you are, both. The other two witnesses are usaid assistant administrator for the bureau of Economic Growth education environment. Good to see you. And Principal Deputy assistant secretary of state for oceans and environmental and Scientific Affairs you must have a big door jonathan moore. Mr. Moore, the floor is yours. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Thank you for the opportunity and the invitation. Ranking member lahey, and the other esteemed members of the subcommittee, it is an honor to be here with you today, together with my cu calling to address Marine Debris. Pandemic,e covid19 the state department continues to address Marine Debris and other issues, collaborating with interagency to leverage American Resources and expertise. As we have just heard from senator sullivan, Marine Debris is a global problem with global consequences. It results from mismanaged waste, usually starting on land and then entering the ocean. The American People see this on the coast of the atlantic, oceans and on lakes and rivers. It is estimated that the impact, including our economy, is over 10 billion a year. It harms ecosystems and Fishing Industries through economic gear, ore to ghost abandon fishing gear. It also poses navigational hazards. It includes last, rubber, and plastic. Noted,tor whitehouse current estimates say there currently are more than 150 million tons with another eight to 10 tons added each year. That works out to a full garbage trucks worth of plastic entering the ocean every minute. Chairman, that. The peoples is the biggest offender, responsible for nearly 30 of Plastic Waste, far more than any other country. The prc must address its own Waste Management issues, and based and sea based, and must do so with its own resources. Marine debris affects environmental and food securities, economic security, Resource Development and potentially human health, where the challenges immense. Our focus is on recycling Sustainable Materials management to prevent waste from entering the environment and waste debris removal efforts. Epa,tate department, National Science foundation and the department of energy are highlighting u. S. Expertise and innovation to combat Marine Debris through new technologies, and other cuttingedge solutions. We are dedicating to supporting and highlighting the best available scientific information and Data Collection methods necessary to inform policymakers and private industry about the environmental and Health Implications and identify hotspots. The bipartisan save our seas act 2018 directed the state department to take a comprehensive approach on Marine Debris. The department, through our bureau of oceans and environmental and environmental Scientific Affairs, are working with academic industry and nongovernmental stakeholders, in addition to congress, to engage multilaterally and bilaterally around the world. Epa, noaa,tner with usaid, the National Science foundation, the coast guard and u. S. Trade representative to work with International Stakeholders and underscored the importance of public and private cooperation. We are engaging with private sector led initiatives, including the alliance to end Plastic Waste, mobilizing billions of dollars to help countries improve their Waste Management and recycling systems and to create a value chain for recycled plastics. Contrasting the balanced approaches, we face calls for bands on single use plastics, legally binding agreements and measures that would inhibit the market for recycled goods. Barriers, binds and trade restrictions to not consider negative tradeoffs and can reduce recycling by lowering the value of commodities, rescuing more waste entering the environment risking more waste entering the environment. We need innovation, changes in behavior, and significant improvement in Waste Management systems to reduce pollution. These solutions should afflict regional and national contexts, as well as local practices and realities. The challenge of tackling Marine Debris presents opportunities for u. S. Business. The American Waste and recycling industry generates an estimated 100 billion in annual revenue. The global Waste Management market is expected to reach over 530 million by the year 2025. Broadening markets would yield benefits to american companies, as well as countries with underdeveloped Waste Management. Our embassies are vital in helping u. S. Business navigate everchanging local conditions and identifying potential opportunities. Over the past five years, the state department has managed over 8. 5 million in grants. We gave a nearly 1 million grant to the ocean conservancy to aid the implementation of vietnams action plan on limiting debris and worked with local ngos. Thank you for mentioning our cooperation with vietnam. Change,te behavior workshops, and Public Awareness campaigns. Combat theseto efforts. As the save our seas act recognizes, addressing Marine Debris is possible by domestic and international coordination. Congress has been an invaluable partner and we appreciate your support. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you. Graham, Ranking Member lahey and distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify about the Important Role of the u. S. Agency for International Development plays in preventing and reducing Ocean Plastic pollution. It is an honor to be with you here today. I would like to thank congress for your strong bipartisan support and leadership on this issue. I would like to specifically express my gratitude that you have held todays hearing to shine a spotlight on todays challenge, one amplified by the current covid19 pandemic. Usaid is pleased that the save our seas act of 2018 set the stage for increased u. S. Government efforts internationally, and we have appreciated the close cooperation with members of the subcommittee and t