Plastic pollution is
choking our
planet.
by Douglas McCauley
Plastic pollution remains a pressing environmental issue, with our oceans bearing the brunt of its impact. Recent studies and reports have shed light on the alarming statistics and the profound effects of plastic waste on marine ecosystems.
The magnitude of plastic waste infiltrating our oceans is staggering:
- Annual Oceanic Plastic Influx: Each year, approximately 11 million metric tons of plastics enter our oceans, adding to the estimated 200 million metric tons already present in marine environments.
- Daily Plastic Pollution: Experts estimate that 8 million pieces of plastic pollution enter our oceans daily, ranging from large debris to microplastics.
- Global Plastic Production: Over 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually, with 14 million tons ending up in our oceans each year.
“Forming pollution is easy, but resolving the impact of it is difficult”
Environmental Impact
The repercussions of plastic pollution on marine life and ecosystems are profound:
- Species Affected: Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species.
- Wildlife Mortality: Plastic pollution is responsible for the deaths of over 100,000 marine mammals annually.
- Microplastics Proliferation: The concentration of microplastics in certain oceanic regions has seen a tenfold increase between 2015 and 2022, reaching up to 10 million microparticles per square kilometer.
“Over 400,000 marine mammals perish annually due to plastic ”
“Pieces of plastic from one disintegrated litre bottle ends up on every mile of beach throughout the world”
The litter that is being delivered into the oceans is toxic to marine life, and humans. Plankton, fish, and ultimately the human race, through the food chain, ingest these highly toxic carcinogens and chemicals. Consuming the Fish that contain these toxins can reportedly cause an increase in cancer, immune disorders, and birth defects
“One million sea birds are killed annually from plastic in our oceans.”
Plastic pollution does not only affect animals that live solely in ocean’s waters. Seabirds are also vulnerable. Seabirds often mistake trash floating on the ocean’s surface as food. Ingested trash can obstruct and physically damage a bird’s digestive system, which can lead to malnutrition, starvation, and death.
“Studies has shown that even our tap water contains plastic pollutants.”
The litter that is washed or dumped into Our oceans contains toxins which reports suggest have an negative impact on marine life, and humans. Plankton, Fish, and ultimately the human race, through the food chain, ingest these toxic chemicals. Consuming the Fish that contain these toxins can cause an increase in cancer, immune disorders, and birth defects.
“Your plastic litter lands up in our streets, seas and is killing our species”
Our plastic waste can be found everywhere. In landfills, in the streets, in the ocean and only 1 to 3% is recycled.
From the road, down the storm drain or into a river, straight into our ocean. Before you throw plastic away think of its journey and where it will land up.
Plastic Facts
- We use 1 trillion plastic bags per year.
- It takes 500-1,000 years for plastic to degrade.
- As of 2023, global plastic production reached approximately 413.8 million metric tons.
- Plastic constitutes approximately 90 percent of all trash floating on the ocean’s surface, with 46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile.
- Virtually every piece of plastic that was ever made still exists in some shape or form (with the exception of the small amount that has been incinerated).
- Most bags are simply thrown out. Less than 1 percent are recycled. They are most often made from Polyethylene that takes centuries to degrade. Each ton of recycled plastic bags saves the energy equivalent of 11 barrels of oil.
- The death of one sperm whale found in California (USA) was caused by 22.2 kilos of plastic that the whale had eaten.
- We have an island in the middle of the North Pacific Gyre, ‘the Great Pacific Garbage Patch’,mostly composed of plastic. It’s the size of I ndia, Europe and Mexico combined.