Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans
By Lihie Lion
Edited by Dalya Birsel
Every year, approximately 12 million tons of plastic pollution are produced on Earth, and 9.5 million tons of this enters the ocean.
One might wonder how this issue has become so severe. This is due to multiple worldwide factors, one of the main ones being littering and the overuse of single-use plastic. We buy disposable plastic items such as plastic bags, bottles, etc., but do not dispose of them properly, which leads to their end up in the ocean. Although a large percentage of plastic that ends up in the ocean does come from littering and the overuse of disposable plastic, another major factor that contributes to the overflowing of plastic in our oceans is the improper manufacturing process of plastic. This means that different types of plastic must be disposed of differently depending on its manufacturing process, the plastic products are being disposed of differently than their intended designs. This has a very negative impact on the environment.
Another factor that has a huge impact on our oceans is industrial fishing, which has caused about 20% of the ocean’s plastic pollution. Industrial fishing is large-scale commercial fishing for human consumption and affects fish populations as the industry is known for overfishing. It adds additional plastic to the ocean through the loss of gear, improper waste disposal etc. There are many factors that contribute to the quantity of plastic in our oceans, and it is devastating how the amount of plastic in our oceans affects marine life, ecosystems, and even human health. This shows us the urgency of the need for sustainable solutions that must occur in order to save our oceans.
Plastic pollution has huge impacts on both marine and human life. It has severe consequences on marine life due to ingestion of plastic by fish, turtles, etc, entanglement of plastic waste, a delay in the food chain due to marine life ingesting microplastic, and so much more. This is so widespread that wildlife such as whales, fish, dolphins, turtles and even birds commonly mistake plastic for food, leading to the endangerment of many marine species.
An example of this is the olive ridley turtles, which are listed under the endangered species category. Of course, there are multiple factors as to why these species fall under this category but the main one is the common mistake of confusing plastic for food. An immense amount of marine life has seen terrible effects on their ecosystems due to the amount of plastic in the ocean, which causes delays in their food chain, leading to the death of many animals. There are multiple ways that this works, such as small marine creatures digesting microplastic, which introduces plastic into the food chain. Then, larger predators consume more and more plastic when ingesting their prey, which moves the microplastics higher and higher up the food chain.
Although we don't think twice about plastic disposal and its impact on our oceans, it actually has a great impact on us. If you are one who consumes a lot of seafood, then you slowly eat plastic that exists inside sea creatures. Which over time, can lead to many health risks such as chemical exposure, potential cancer risks and toxic responses within your body. Although the amount of plastic in our oceans can lead to health risks, it can also have economic impacts on industries, such as fishing and tourism, due to negative impacts in the ecosystem. Since overfishing and habitat impairment have led to unnecessary amounts of plastic entering the ocean, there has been a decrease in fish populations. Therefore, this leads to reduced fish stocks and a decline in local fishermen's income. This affects communities dependent on fishing. It has also reduced tourism and hit local businesses as there has been excessive damage to coral reefs and marine wildlife, which suffer from extensive plastic pollution. Overall, we can truly say that our actions have consequences.
The big question is, is there a way to solve this problem? Throughout the years, there have been many attempts to reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean. This includes things we can do as individuals, for instance, limiting our use of single-use plastic or even eliminating it completely from our day-to-day lives. We must also do our absolute best to recycle plastic properly as it is evident that without proper recycling, plastic can be very detrimental. There have also been impactful sustainability missions in the past to reduce the amount of plastic in our oceans. Large brands/companies such as Coca-Cola are improving on their sustainability practices including initiatives such as the reduction of plastic use to boost recycling efforts. There are also many organizations that draw attention to ocean clean-ups, which have helped a lot throughout the years.
Although all of these factors together can decrease the amount of plastic in our oceans if done consistently, it isn't a permanent solution. Sadly, there isn't currently a lasting solution to plastic use, but scientists such as Jenna Jambeck, a professor at the University of Georgia, are looking into a permanent solution to completely reduce plastic waste in our oceans.
Works Cited
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“Ingestion | Marine Debris Program.” Marine Debris Program, 7 February 2023, https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/why-marine-debris-problem/ingestion. Accessed 24 September 2024.
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“Ocean Plastic Pollution Explained.” The Ocean Cleanup, https://theoceancleanup.com/ocean-plastic-pollution-explained/. Accessed 24 September 2024.
“Olive Ridley Turtle.” NOAA Fisheries, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/olive-ridley-turtle. Accessed 24 September 2024.
“Our Sustainability Progress.” The Coca-Cola Company, https://www.coca-colacompany.com/sustainability. Accessed 24 September 2024.
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