World Ocean Day
Have you ever been scuba diving? If you answered yes, you know what a thrilling experience that could be. Spending a few minutes living the life of marine animals can be splendid but also eye-opening.
Scuba divers often encounter plastic waste, tortoises mistaking plastic covers for jelly fish and biting through them, discarded plastic items stuck in fish’s throats, and more.
It is estimated that 12 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean every year, and over 200 million tons of plastic waste is already present in the oceans.
Isn’t this concerning not only for marine life but also for humans?
Did you know that the plastic debris injected by marine life can enter the food chain? Read further to learn more about the sources of plastic pollution and its impact.
Sources of plastic pollution:
Land-based sources:
According to Our World in Data, it is estimated that around 70% to 80% of plastic waste comes from land through improper disposal of garbage, littering the beaches, and overflowing landfills swept by wind or rain reach the oceans. The other land-based sources are microplastics in personal care products like facial scrubs, synthetic clothes, and more.
Ocean-based sources:
A large portion of plastic waste originates from lost or abandoned fishing nets. These nets continue to trap marine life and give rise to a significant threat to the ocean ecosystem.
These fishing gears release microplastic into the ocean, adding to the plastic waste.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life:
Ingestion: Millions of marine creatures ingest plastic mistaking it for prey. This leads to starvation, internal injuries (sharp plastic objects), and death.
Nearly 1 million seabirds and hundreds of thousands of marine mammals die each year from plastic ingestion due to blocked plastic, preventing digestion and death.
Entanglement: Sea animals such as sea turtles, seals, and whales can become entangled in plastic bags, fishing gear (nets, lines, traps), and other debris. This entanglement causes restricted movements, deep wounds, and drowning.
Microplastics: Tiny plastics less than 5 millimeters are present in the oceans. They are generally released by synthetic clothing and cosmetics. Microplastics are easily ingested by marine life throughout the food chain. Microplastic reduces the absorption of nutrients and accumulates toxins.
Impact of plastic pollution on Marine Ecosystems:
Plastic pollution destroys marine habitats like coral reefs and mangrove forests. It also disrupts the food chain. The ocean food chain consists of plankton, and plastic pollution causes harm to the plankton population as it blocks direct sunlight leading to disruption of the food chain. Plastic in the oceans consumes all the oxygen, creating hypoxic zones where no marine life can exist.
Get TRASHFORMATIVE’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Impact on Human Health:
Since plastic is released into the ocean and fishes consume the microplastics, when humans consume these commercially caught fish and shellfish, it leads to severe health problems. Several studies suggest that microplastic disrupts the human hormones. Humans also have a risk of illness because microplastics carry harmful pathogens.
How can you help?
Reducing the usage of plastic
Embrace reusable alternatives such as shopping bags, bottles, and everyday items.
Avoid single-use plastic materials
Make informed choices, such as using glass water bottles instead of plastic. This way, there is no fear of ingesting microplastics.
Decline unnecessary plastic items such as straws, utensils, and takeaway bags.
Improve your waste management system by recycling your household waste efficiently.
Spread awareness about composting organic waste.
Segregate waste correctly
Policy and Regulations:
Government involvement plays a vital role in bringing change.
The government needs to:
Bans on single-use plastics: Governments in other countries encourage sustainability by banning one-time-use plastic items and promoting sustainable alternatives.
Policies that hold manufacturers responsible: The manufacturers need to be responsible for the end-of-life management of their plastic products.
Investment in clean-up initiatives: The government needs more drives to remove existing plastic from the water bodies.
All in all:
If you care for the environment and your health, it’s time to make your move. Reduce plastic footprint and speak about the harmful impact plastic is having on our ecosystem. Make sure you choose a sustainable business. This World Ocean Day let’s work together and say no to plastic.
For more such awareness blogs, hit the follow button on Medium. #WorldOceanDay #Trashformative
