Marine Species In Danger Due to Plastic Pollution

Each of us, at some point or another, had used something that consists of plastic. However, as consumers, we are at times unwilling to explore the scale of this problem. Plastic usages, notably plastic wastes, are accumulating to an alarming level that is negatively affecting organisms living within the ocean. Scientific research conducted by wri.org has shown that up to 13 million plastics enter the ocean every year, and that number is still increasing at an accelerating rate (How to Reduce Plastic and Other Ocean Pollution Simultaneously). With the approach of COVID 19, the situation is worsened, as more people are relying on plastic made products to ensure their basic health care. Our planet is undergoing an unprecedented consumption of plastic, most of which is thrown into the ocean. This situation poses obstruction to our current planet’s ecosystem. Action must be taken if humanity is to conserve a healthy environment for the inhabitants of the ocean.  

What About Plastic Pollution? 

When we think of plastic pollution, we usually picture a scene in which the ocean is polluted because of the chemical emissions. However, we often subconsciously ignore the victims that are receiving all the harm, which are the sea creatures. Due to plastic wastage, their life is put in threat, mistaking plastic waste for food and consuming them to satisfy their living needs, causing them to die of starvation as their body is harmed by plastic. Small organisms such as plankton feed on micro plastics that are scattered around the ocean, while the chemicals are absorbed into their body. The disguised form of plastic produced is something that sea creatures haven’t been previously exposed to. Unlike human beings, sea creatures are not capable of distinguishing between plastic and food, as their brain is processed to ingest based on appearance. According to scientific research,  approximately 50 percent of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, which from doing so, can affect their sense of hunger, unbalancing them from determining whether their body needs food (What Do Sea Turtles Eat Unfortunately Plastic Bags.). Young turtles are especially at risk due to their lack of selectiveness, causing them to die at a young age. In addition to the deficiency of foods available, marine species are also forced to endure the severe environment caused by the contamination, ultimately leading to the extinction of one’s species. Recent studies conducted have shown that over 60 percent of seabird species are consuming plastic debris, and that number is expected to rise to 99 percent by 2050, which is on the verge of extinction. As a result of the absence of certain organisms that exist within the food chain, interruption of the energy flow of ecosystem can occur. Plastic is a very long-lasting material due to its chemical structure, which indicates that it is not an appropriate solution to just leave them lying under the ocean in the hope that it will someday just disappear without causing major issues. One plastic product is proven to decompose over hundreds of years, while dealing a devastating impact on the environment and their surroundings.  

Causes of Plastic Pollution

People subscribe to the prospect that plastic pollution is a result of plastic wastage alone, however, another critical that attributes to the overall pollution is an activity we are all familiar with, tourism. At first glance, this may seem irrelevant to the topic discussed. Surveys conducted by The World Counts have proven that a proportion of 80 percent of trash originates from the land, and tourism explains it well. Many of the tourists that visit a certain place are likely to leave behind some trash, ranging from scraps to plastic bottles. Since we can’t manipulate the disposal of those plastics, it is essential for us to solve the source of this problem, which is to provide a wider variation of products to the tourists that otherwise would be using plastic. 

Why do humanity have to act?

What we currently know is just the tip of the iceberg of what the ocean is genuinely like. There are still various unknown species yet to be discovered and polluting the ocean can ruin the entire process. Thus, plastic pollution in the ocean has the potential of posing a threat to humanity. Small organisms that consume certain waste are eaten by larger predators, many of which are sent to our table for us to eat. There can potentially be some sort of mutation occurring during that process, and once it is digested in human tissue, it can lead to serious health conditions. Places where people depend on seafood can possibly lose their only source of food, as it is mutated and becoming toxic.   

What are the solutions?

To prevent further consequences, organizations around the world such as The Ocean Cleanup are taking decisive approaches in cleaning up the micro plastic underwater. This is done by setting up a machine with a device attached capable of cleaning the micro plastic on its way while traveling through the ocean. However, the micro plastic eliminated was only a fraction of what is needed to fully remove the plastic that is in the ocean, since most of the bigger plastic debris remains deep under water, where current technologies are incapable of collecting. By funding the organizations, we can participate in the overall development of preserving the ocean and improve the current situation of plastic pollution.  

Nowadays, due to the domination of plastic around the world, it is nearly impossible for us to entirely remove plastic usage. However, we do subconsciously ignore some of the alternatives accessible for us to use daily. Apart from single use plastic, it is encouraged to use more reusable materials such as a proper water bottle. It is imperative to substitute as many single use plastic products as possible with materials that are more economical friendly. To raise awareness regarding this plastic concern, governments are required to be involved, adopting measures to prevent this epidemic. Observing this issue from a local level, we can see that places such as Mexico are already adopting solutions regarding replacing plastic. According to a survey conducted by rd.com, a restrictive law created by the Government of Baja California Surpassed states to apply alternatives including agave fibers made straws; cutlery made of cornstarch; Kraft paper bags ext into citizens daily life. While every product is verified to be 100 percent compostable, Mexico citizens are ensured with safety and plastic concerns. To reduce plastic pollution, “Governments should set restrictions on single use plastic products and prohibit their distribution”(Excell, Carole), this is something that is taken into consideration in several different countries, we just must avoid supporting companies continuing to produce products that doesn’t meet the standards of conserving the environment, and support those that have contributed to the development of our current situation.  

People are often unaware of what’s happening around them, until the problem has had an impact on them. Humanity must remain alert and act to prevent this global issue from continuing by making the most out of the current solutions. Just imagine, with every dollar you spend donating foundations, an innocent creature’s life can be saved, receiving the life they deserve as if there were no plastic underwater from the first place. If every person plays their role of preserving the ocean, their effort will eventually accumulate to a height humanity has never been. What truly matters is our attitude toward this very problem, and to shift our thinking.  

“4 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution.” Wri.org, Carole Excel, www.wri.org/insights/4-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution.

“How to Reduce Plastic and Other Ocean Pollution Simultaneously.” Wri.org, Liz Hollaway, Jenna Jambeck, Ellie Moss and Brajesh Dubey, www.wri.org/insights/how-reduce-plastic-and-other-ocean-pollution-simultaneously.

“The Oceancleanup.” The Ocean Cleanup, theoceancleanup.com/about/.

“What Do Sea Turtles Eat Unfortunately Plastic Bags.” World Wild Life.org, www.worldwildlife.org/stories/what-do-sea-turtles-eat-unfortunately-plastic-bags.