Lot and im just astounded by the problem mankind has created for the oceans. We can be better stewards of gods creation and what were going to dog is have a hearing today about some solutions, and senator leahy and myself will sit down and find a way to create somee kind of fund that people can contribute to. I know theyre doing it at the world bank, that i like the fund idea where the world kd of comes together under amecan leadership to solve the problem. So too are two colleagues, thank you very much for your leadership and senator leahy. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. With all joking they goes back and forth, i think it safe to say that the chairman and i feel very strongly about this. We do wt to help. Senator whitehouse and i were in vietnam last year. We met with the vietnamese officials and scientists to discuss Ocean Plastic poltion, had a great meeting. S. White house was a star at that, but heres a country with a 2000mile coastline, and when i say we, that means all human beings, are causing potentially irreparable harm to the oceans and marine wildlife. And keep in mind, its primary source for protein for billions of people in this world. But we have a certification from carbon emissions, oil spills, untreated sewage, millions of tons of Plastic Waste, rivers empty into oceans with discarded plastic. Beaches littered with it. And the coral reefs are dying. And from a a personal point of view, my wife marcel and i are avid scuba divers. Over the last 25 years we had seen more and more the damage this has caused. We see, we will see a dead sea turtle choked to death by a piece of plastic that had got around it. It was literally hanging by the plastic. But it we see a whole lot of others. Weve seen reefs and others between debris and plastics disappearing. But, of course, that in itself stops a whole ecological system. They are fit enough plastic debris to cover half a tennis court in the body of a single dad with. Just think about that. What does that do to our ecosystem . Seals and sea birds are ingesting it. But what i was shocked to fd on one of art diving come to find out that even plankton are ingesting plastics. A lot of people say recycling is the answer. Of course i wish that were true but less than 10 of the worlds plastic is a recycled. Probably for the lack o infrastructure and so o but some plastics, like elastic bags cant be recycled. Even elastic a a recycled art only use a couple of times and then discard. I cosponsored senator udall break from plastic pollution act. In my state of vermont we have a new law eliminating plastic bags and containers andtraws. We have had this Program Since 1973, before you were born, mr. President. Let the record reflect that. The whole year before i was in therm senate, and i have supported passing enactment of the michael b freeze water act and so on. That was polluting, among other things, our [inaudible] i dont even want to go into all the things i know senator sullivan and senator whitehouse can talk about their states with a coastline. I will put my whole statement in the record, but we often talk about the next generation. I think of our children and grandchildren. This is not a world they should be in if this continues, not a world indie one of us want to begin. In fact, its a world will not support a lot of people the world supportss today. Thank you. Thank you for having to sync. Well said, senator leahy. I promise our two senators here will get you out and look forward to your testimony but we are going to do something about this. I mean, i know average american thinks we are have lost a might appear but theres a lot we agree on, and getting plastics out of the oceans should be something we can come together on. Without altering over to senator sullivan. Thank you, mr. Thank you, mrd Ranking Member leahy. I want to say as always its great to be here with my fellow friends and colleagues senator whitehouse pni have spentie a lt of time on this issue together and the good news is were making progress. Im not going to brag too much wataugaaska but when coastlines, were particularly aware of this challenge. Some of you might of the statistic that my state has more coastline than the rest of the lower 48 states combined. And we unfortunately have, when we had beach cleanups, which is often a mix of plastic, pollution, ghost fishing gear, trash that it is so much it is measured in times, not in pounds. And mr. Chairman, as you know, the vast majority of this actually comes from overseas. We are not perfect in our country but this is a problem that really the names and international to address it. Senator whitehouse and i worked on the save our seas act in the last congress. It was passed. They were all cosponsors. Mr. Chairman, you were, as well, of that bill. Its not a silver bullet, but crs did call that the most comprehensive Ocean Cleanup legislation ever to pass the United States senate and so were proud of that bill. It doesnt solve everything, 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 wont go through all the elements of it. Its working internationally and state department, usaid. I know youre going to hear from them today on the United States being the leader in Marine Debris efforts globally. I think youre starting to see that, mr. Chairman. You saw it in the usmca, for example, theres a provision on ocean debris, an entirehapter on Sustainable Fisheries that i had a little to do with. This is, i think, its a challenge, but at the end of the day, this is a good news story. Why is it a good news story . Because its an environmental issue that we can target ande 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 ws element about it, youre seeing all the y stakeholders, democrats, republicans in the congress, the trump administration, which i think really wants to play an important constructiv and leadership role, the key ocean environmental groups, industry, senator whitehous and i were at the launch othe alliance to endlastic waste. This is a group of nearly 50 of the Top Companies in our country that have pledged over 100 1. 5 billion to clean up the oceans and thats the key, mr. Chairman. Key stakeholders all working together on environmental issue we can solve and thats why this hearing is important and thats why our Work Together, we think, has made progress and were very honored, mr. Chairman and senator leahy, that you are holding this 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 want to thank you for holding this hearing. Thank you for all youve done to bring this to my attention and to work with senator whitehouse. Senator whitehouse. Thank you, chairman graham, for hosting this. Its first of all, a treat to see you here and you and Ranking Member leahy who Work Together well on so many issues, is a good sign for the senate, the relationship that you two have, and gives me confidence that we will make Real Progress as a result of this hearing. Its also a great privilege to be here wh my compadre on all things plastics, we do beach cleanups wit trash bags and he doescleanups with front end loaders and barges its a problem for alaska, but its a proem for the entire world because plastic and ocean debris foul all of our oceans d communities. About five metric tons go into the ocean, i you stack five ba of plastic trash on stack it up along the ocean, and kick it in, thats wha it is every year. There will be more plastic by weight in th ocean than fish in the ocean by 2050. Its an Unexplained Health issue because plastic breaks down into teenie tiny microscopic pieces and infiltrates harm to the fi, wildlife and human health. So, were not doing a very good job at handling this as a country and world. We onlyanage a fraction of the plastic was that we prode, much of what we fail to manage goesnto the ocean. Internional efforts will help us combat this Ocean Plastic pollution and we can make positive changes here at home because our waste and Water Infrastructure needs improving, as does our recycling system. But we must reduce new Plastic Waste and create econoc incentives to cleanp the Plastic Waste already be fouling our seas. And it 2. 0 shows to address the plastic pollution. This year t Senate Passed save our seas 2. 0 by unanimous const and we hope by house action to pass it into law in this congress. The bills do two things we need to do, boost internaonal engagement and strengthen our domestic response. So whats out there right now . Pro blue, an Ocean Trust Fund at the world bank already helps address the threat of rain pollution andssociation plastics, and it raises awareness, it integrates International Efforts and promotes public andrivate sector investment. The uted states should step up on combatting Ocean Plastic pollution, as w traditionally have in Fisheries Management d in ocean conservation. Both by contributing tohis fund and perhaps by establishing our own to support it and vindicate our own policies. We should sengthen the department of state and usaids ocea plastic pollution work and they support efforts to addressarine debris and theres no reason for the u. S. To be lag guards in this space. A study is already underway at the National Academy of science for the distribution of our own Plastic Waste, whether theres management infrastructure. And what environmental conditions result. Supporting a global fund can help build on this research and act on its finding Ocean Plastic pollution is a global problem with bipartisan suppt for action in congress and strong statements as senator sullin said from the president , the secretary of ste and our trade representative. Theres no reason not to move forward. It will take an International Response because so much of the problem is overseas. Powering up the department of state and usaids work, and launching funding for global Ocean Plastic reduction through pro blue or our both will ensure that the United States is an acknowledged leader in this space. Theres no reason not to move forward, mr. Chairman and theres every reason to move forward for the sake of our coastal communities and blue economies for the sake of human health and for the sake of a healthy, beautiful and clean ocean. I know you are an advocate for the atlantic shore of South Carolina as i am for our beautiful sparkling store and bay in rhode island, and i appreciate very much that you and that famous scuba diver, and Patrick Leahy are such enthusiasts. The senate Jacques Cousteau over here . Marcel is better. Before you leave thank you both, im not joking, i did not realize the scope of the problem. Its mindboggling thateve done this to our ocean and the good news is theres a way out of this mess, there is a way, weve just got to follow your leership and where money helps, well put money. Thank you both. Other two witnesses are usaid assistant administrator or Economic Growth and environment, michelle. Good to see you, thank you. And principals deputy astand secretary of state for the bureau of oceans and national 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 leahy and others, team members of the subcommittee. Its an honor to be here with you today together with my distinguish distinguished colleague from the Usaid Michelle beckering. While working on the pandemic, the state department continues to address Marine Debris and other issues around the world collaborating with the inner agency to leverage American Resources and expertise. As weve just heard from senator sullivan, whitehouse, Marine Debris does not respect borders, it is a global problem with global consequences. It results from mismanaged waste usually starting on land and entering the ocean. American people see this on the coasts of the atlantic, pacific, and arctic oceans and on the shores of lakes and rivers. Its estimated that the direct Economic Impact of Marine Debris on apec economies and that includes our economy is over 10 billion a year, it harms eco systems and Fishing Industries through economic losses due to lost fishing gear known as ghost gear. And floating debris promotes marine hazards. One of the most common materials is plastic, exact as senator whitehouse noted current estimates more than 8 million tons added each year to use a different way of describing that, works out to a full garbage trucks worth of ocean entering the ocean every minute. I must note, mr. Chairman, that the peoples republic of china 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, both land based and sea based and do so with its own resources. Marine debris affects Marine Security and potentially human health, the challenge is immense. Our approach focuses on promoting environmentally sound Waste Management, recycling Sustainable Materials management, innovation to prevent waste from entering the environment and removal efforts. The United States has a wide array of means to help. The state department, epa, National Science foundation and department of energy are highlighting u. S. Expertise and innovation to combat Marine Debris through new technologies, mch research and cutting edge solutions. Were dedicated to supporting and highlighting the best available scientific information and Data Collection methods necessary to inform policy makers and private industry about the economic and environmental and Health Implications and identify hot spots. The bipartisan, save our seas act of 2018 corrected the state department to take a comprehensive approach on Marine Debris. The department through our bureau of oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs is working with interagency, economic industry and in addition to congress to engaej mull laterally, regionally and bilaterally around the world. With noaa, commerce energy, the coast guard and the u. S. Trade representative to work if International State holders and underscore the importance of public and private cooperation. Were engaging with private sector led initiatives including the alliance to end Plastic Waste and circulate capital, mobilizing billions of dollars to help countries improve their Waste Management and recycling staples and to create a value chain for recycled plastics. In international fauria, contrasting the balanced approaches, we call for a ban on Single Use Plastics and inhibit the market for recycled goods and they often doesnt look at economic tradeoffs and could reduce recycled by lowering the value of commodities reducing the waste entering the environment. Instead we need innovation in materials and design and changes in behavior and significant i am movements in Waste Management systems to reduce amount of Marine Debris. And these have should local practices and realities and importantly the challenge of tackling Marine Debris, the American Waste and recycling industry generates an estimated 100 billion in annual revenue, its expected to reach over 530 billion by the year 2025. Broadening the markets would yield to American Companies as well as for countries with undeveloped Waste Management infrastructure, a win all around. Our embassies are vital in helping u. S. Business navigate every changing national and local conditions and identifying potential opportunities. Over the past five years, the state department has managed over 5. 8 Million Dollars in grants. For example, we gave a nearly 1 million grant to the ocean conservancy to