The oceans, a symbol of boundless possibility, now bear the weight of a threatening adversary: plastic pollution. This seemingly simple material, ubiquitous in our daily lives, has infiltrated the oceans either through deliberate dumping or from run-off through drains and rivers, wreaking havoc on delicate ecosystems and putting many species at risk. Hence, plastic in our oceans threatens marine life and human health, requiring urgent action to be adopted, and promote sustainable alternatives.
How does this paradox unfold? How does plastic, primarily used on land, come to pose such a challenge in the oceans?
Plastic pollution has transformed our oceans into a dumping ground for waste, with as much as 13 million metric tons of garbage ending up in the ocean each year—the equivalent of a garbage truckload every minute. Moreover, up to 80% of the waste on shorelines, ocean surfaces, and seabed consists of plastic debris. As our global population grows and living standards improve, plastic production has skyrocketed from 0.5 million tonnes a year in 1950, to a whopping 260 million tonnes (Wabnitz & Nichols, 2010). Plastic has become an essential item of our daily lives, from purchasing groceries to buying a sandwich from the bakery. In addition, a significant portion of yearly plastic production is for short-lived single-time use. For instance, over a billion single-use plastic bags are distributed daily, exacerbating the mounting plastic waste crisis (Thushari & Senevirathna, 2020). This widespread use of plastic bags, which are inexpensive, lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion, heat, and electricity, comes at a life-threatening cost.
According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, with as much as 80% of that litter being plastic. This pollution impacts a wide range of marine life, from large creatures like seabirds, whales, and dolphins to tiny seahorses and fish. These animals suffer from the poison of plastic, becoming entangled or ingesting plastic, which leads to suffocation, starvation, and drowning. Plastics are found in birds’ nests, worn by hermit crabs instead of shells, and over 260 species, including invertebrates, turtles, fish, seabirds, and mammals have been reported to ingest or become entangled in plastic debris. This results in impaired movement and feeding, reduced reproductive output, lacerations, ulcers, and death (Wabnitz & Nichols, 2010). Ingestion of plastic occurs frequently, with animals mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish or seabirds picking at plastic items as if they were cuttlefish bones. Plastic waste can also encourage the growth of pathogens in the ocean. Humans too are not immune from the threat of plastic in the oceans. While plastics can take up to hundreds of years to fully decompose, some break down much quicker into tiny particles, which end up in the seafood we eat.
Unless urgent action is taken, scientists predict that by 2050, the weight of ocean plastics will surpass the combined weight of all fish in the seas (Wabnitz & Nichols, 2010). To address this pressing issue, it is imperative to explore solutions that reduce the use of plastic. Decreasing demand for plastic products would lead to a drop in production. Individuals can contribute through responsible use and disposal of plastic material, particularly by recycling. Industries should be encouraged to adopt green chemistry, reduce material use, and design products for reuse or recyclability. Governments and policymakers play a crucial role by setting standards, and funding research and technological developments. While beach and ocean clean-ups are effective for raising awareness and gathering debris data, they alone cannot solve the problem. In some areas, cleaning efforts merely relocate plastics to inland dumpsites, posing new environmental risks and potential return to the ocean during storms or flooding. However, effective clean-up strategies can integrate trash removal with proper disposal and include follow-up educational campaigns to reduce the production of single-use plastics. The most efficient and cost-effective approach involves refusing single-use plastic items and reusing plastics to prevent their release into the environment. While personal actions can drive social change, policy interventions are essential. For example, several countries, such as Ireland, Eritrea, Rwanda, China, South Africa, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Taiwan have implemented bans or taxes on plastic bags as effective regulatory measures to combat plastic pollution (Wabnitz & Nichols, 2010).
The ocean is the heart of our planet. Like our heart pumps blood to every part of our body, the ocean connects people across the Earth, regardless of where we live. It regulates the climate, sustains millions of people, generates oxygen, harbours diverse wildlife, provides essential medicines, and offers countless other benefits. To safeguard the health and well-being of our communities and future generations, it is essential that we minimize plastic usage and take on the responsibility to protect the ocean as it nurtures us.
Article BY – Janani Kumarasiri
Works cited:
Thushari, G. G. N., & Senevirathna, J. D. M. (2020). Plastic pollution in the marine environment. Heliyon, 6(8), e04709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04709
Wabnitz, C. C. C., & Nichols, W. J. (2010). Editorial: Plastic Pollution: An Ocean Emergency. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268187066_Editorial_Plastic_Pollution_An_Ocean_Emergency?enrichId=rgreq-eb9f9b13f5a8e50fa8d8808913630573-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI2ODE4NzA2NjtBUzoxODk4MzI3NDM2Mjg4MDFAMTQyMjI3MTA2MTgyNA%3D%3D&el=1_x_2&_esc=publicationCoverPdf