Plastic pollution has reached critical levels in the world’s oceans, with researchers estimating that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the seas than fish. The plastic accumulates in the ocean gyres, forming giant islands of trash. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, extends over 1.6 million square kilometers and contains more than 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic. Around one million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals die from plastic pollution each year. Governments, consumers, manufacturers and supermarkets can all take steps to reduce plastic pollution, from recycling and improved biodegradability to alternatives such as cloth or paper bags.
Plastic Pollution In Ocean Reaches Critical Levels
Plastic pollution is one of the most significant environmental challenges we face today. It poses a threat to the marine ecosystem as they enter the oceans, rivers, and other aquatic systems. According to the United Nations, every year, around eight million metric tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans, affecting marine life and damaging the ecosystem. Unfortunately, this is not a problem that is likely to disappear anytime soon. In this article, we’ll explore the state of plastic pollution in the ocean, its impact on the environment, and what we can do to stop it.
The Current State of Plastic Pollution in the Ocean
Plastic pollution has reached critical levels in our oceans. Researchers estimate that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the seas than fish. The plastic accumulates in the ocean gyres, forming giant islands of trash that are visible from space. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, extends over 1.6 million square kilometers and contains more than 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic. Every year, around one million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals die from plastic pollution.
The Impact of Plastic Pollution on the Environment
The impact of plastic pollution on the environment is devastating. Plastic bags, bottles, and other debris cause many issues for marine life. The plastic waste entangles animals, suffocates them, and fills their stomach with plastic fragments, causing illness or death. Animals that ingest plastic mistaking it for food cannot digest it, leading to starvation. The plastic waste poses a threat to human health too. Fish and other animals ingest plastic, which could end up on our plates, and there could be health risks associated with plastic ingestion.
What We Can Do to Stop Plastic Pollution
The problem of plastic pollution requires a collective effort. The first step in reducing plastic pollution in the ocean is to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics. Consumers can opt for re-usable containers, bags, and straws instead of disposable ones. Supermarkets can offer alternative bags like paper, cloth or biodegradable plastic. Recycling facilities must be improved, and manufacturers can work to reduce and recycle plastics. Governments can introduce and enforce laws to encourage people to reduce plastic pollution. As individuals, we have the ability to dispose of plastic waste appropriately and reduce the use of plastic in our daily lives.
FAQs
What is plastic pollution?
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic debris in the natural environment. Plastic waste harms wildlife, clogs drainage systems, and contributes to climate change.
What happens to animals who ingest plastic?
When animals ingest plastic debris, it stays in their digestive system and can cause significant harm. The plastic fragments can cause choking, blockage of the digestive tract, and malnutrition as their stomach fills with plastic instead of food.
Are biodegradable plastics a solution to the problem of plastic pollution?
Biodegradable plastics aren’t always the solution to plastic pollution. The term biodegradable refers to how it breaks down in a specific environment. For example, a biodegradable plastic bag may only break down in a commercial composting facility or an industrial incineration plant. Therefore, biodegradable plastics will contaminate trash if they end up in the regular waste stream.
What can individuals do to reduce plastic pollution?
Individuals can reduce plastic pollution by reducing the amount of plastic waste they create. Avoiding single-use, disposable plastics like bags, straws, and utensils, using re-usable containers and bags, recycling plastics, and disposing of plastic appropriately will help reduce plastic pollution.
