The Ocean's Plastic Crisis: An Environmental Catastrophe

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that has captured the attention of people worldwide. The problem is twofold: plastic waste that ends up in the ocean and microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles that have infiltrated marine ecosystems and the food chain. While estimates vary, it is believed that millions of tonnes of plastic are released into the ocean annually, with a significant amount coming from rivers and coasts. This plastic pollution has severe ecological consequences, killing marine animals and birds, disrupting ecosystems, and contributing to climate change. The persistence of plastic, which can last for hundreds of years in the marine environment, underscores the urgency of addressing this global issue.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The GPGP is a collection of marine debris, primarily consisting of microplastics, with a low density of four particles per cubic metre. These microplastics are often microscopic, suspended in the upper water column, and can be intermixed with larger items such as fishing gear and shoes. The patch is not detectable by satellite imagery or casual boaters or divers in the area due to its low density and dispersed nature. However, the water within the patch may appear cloudy or like a soup.

The GPGP is composed mostly of microplastics, which dominate the area by count. However, 92% of the patch's mass consists of larger objects that have not yet fragmented into microplastics. These larger objects include items such as fishing gear, shoes, plastic lighters, toothbrushes, water bottles, pens, baby bottles, cell phones, and plastic bags. Some of the plastic in the patch is over 50 years old, and the patch is believed to have increased "10-fold each decade" since 1945.

The impact of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch extends beyond the physical accumulation of plastic. It has ecological and environmental repercussions, contributing to the broader issue of plastic pollution in the ocean. The patch disrupts the marine ecosystem, entangling wildlife and being mistaken for food by fish, dolphins, seabirds, and seals, leading to fatal consequences. Additionally, the chemicals released during plastic production contribute to air and ecosystem toxicity, affecting both wildlife and human health.

Plastic in marine animals

Marine animals are facing a plethora of problems due to the increasing amount of plastic in the ocean. Plastic waste in the ocean is estimated to kill more than 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million seabirds every year. Marine species are affected by plastic in a variety of ways, including entanglement, injury, ingestion, and toxic contamination.

Large plastic items can entangle marine mammals and fish, preventing them from escaping and leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. Discarded fishing nets can smother and break coral reefs, disrupting their healthy growth. Marine mammals, such as whales, seals, and sea lions, are particularly susceptible to entanglement in plastic packing loops, which can tighten and cut into their flesh as they grow, leading to severe wounds or even strangulation.

Smaller plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, causing internal injuries, intestinal blockages, starvation, and death. Sea turtles, for example, often ingest plastic bags and sheeting, which resemble their natural prey, jellyfish. This debris can get stuck in their digestive systems, leading to poor nutrition and starvation. Albatrosses, fulmars, and shearwaters are among the seabird species most affected by plastic, as it can become lodged in their gizzards, preventing them from fully digesting their food.

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, are another significant concern for marine animals. These microscopic pieces of plastic can be ingested by passive feeders, such as plankton, shellfish, and fish, or accumulated in the fatty tissues of apex predators like great white sharks and orcas. A single plastic particle can absorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, leading to biomagnification as these chemicals build up in the food chain. The higher up the food chain, the greater the concentration of toxins, posing a threat to both marine life and humans who consume seafood.

The impact of plastic waste on marine environments is severe and far-reaching. It disrupts the natural cycle of renewal in ecosystems and, combined with toxin pollution, creates "dead zones" where oxygen depletion kills aquatic plants. This, in turn, displaces marine life, further disrupting the ecosystem. With plastic production and pollution showing no signs of slowing, the damage to marine animals and the ocean's ecosystem is of growing concern.

Plastic production and climate change

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue, with an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste currently in our oceans. This waste is not only detrimental to marine life and ecosystems but also has significant implications for climate change.

Plastic production and the climate crisis are intricately linked. With 99% of plastics derived from fossil fuel feedstocks, the production and manufacturing of plastics are inherently tied to the petrochemical industry. As the demand for plastics continues to rise, the extraction, refining, and manufacture of plastics contribute to increasing carbon emissions. In 2015, the emissions from plastic production alone reached 1.96 Gt of CO2e, costing $341 billion annually.

The life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal, generates heat-trapping gases at every stage. The incineration of plastics, a common method of waste management, releases thousands of pollutants, impacting the health of nearby communities and the environment. Additionally, the vast majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the ocean, with only 9% being recycled. This waste contributes to the growing problem of ocean pollution, where plastics degrade into microplastics, ingested by marine life and accumulating in the water.

The presence of microplastics in the ocean poses a significant threat to climate mitigation. Historically, the ocean has sequestered 30-50% of carbon dioxide emissions from human activities. However, evidence suggests that plankton, crucial for carbon dioxide removal, are consuming increasing amounts of microplastics. This consumption could degrade plankton's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, impacting the ocean's capacity to mitigate climate change.

To address the interconnected issues of plastic pollution and climate change, systemic shifts are necessary. Reducing overall plastic use, transitioning to bio-based feedstocks, and improving waste management and recycling practices are essential steps toward mitigating the climate impact of plastic production and protecting our oceans and ecosystems.

Plastic waste management

Plastic is one of the most versatile materials available, used in everything from computers to cars, and from medical equipment to construction materials. However, the world's growing dependence on plastic is having a devastating impact on the environment, particularly the oceans.

The world currently produces around 381 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, with 50% of this coming from packaging, and 30% from construction, industry, and agriculture plastic waste. Of this, an estimated 70% remains uncollected, dumped into landfills, or subjected to open burning. A further 9% is incinerated. It is estimated that between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans annually, with 8 million pieces making their way into the oceans every day. This is having a catastrophic impact on marine life, with over 1 million seabirds, 100,000 marine animals, and an unknown number of fish, dolphins, and seals dying from plastic pollution each year.

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste has published a Plastic Waste Management Framework, which offers insights into policies and levers that countries can adopt to improve their waste management systems and reduce plastic waste. The report includes policy deep-dives into key levers such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Systems (DRS). However, it acknowledges that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and that countries will need to employ a range of strategies to improve their waste management efforts.

One of the key ways to reduce plastic waste is to recycle it. Individuals can contribute by ensuring they know how to recycle properly, including keeping food and liquid out of recycling and checking local programs to confirm what is recyclable in their area. However, the ultimate solution is to reduce our consumption of single-use plastics.

Global efforts to reduce plastic pollution

Policy and Legislation

Several countries and regions are implementing policies and legislation to curb plastic pollution. The European Union (EU), for instance, has taken steps such as agreeing to reduce the use of single-use carrier bags and proposing a ban on specific plastic items like cutlery, plates, straws, and balloon sticks. The EU has also revised port fees to remove incentives for illegally dumping marine rubbish, addressing the issue of ghost gear, or abandoned fishing gear, which accounts for a significant portion of marine debris. In the United States, the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act aims to address the plastic pollution crisis at the federal level. Additionally, there are state-level initiatives to introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, holding plastic producers accountable for their products' end-of-life disposal.

International Cooperation

Hundreds of organizations and businesses have collaborated with United Nations member states to enact a global plastics treaty. This international cooperation recognizes the global nature of the plastic pollution crisis. Circulate Capital, for example, is working with scientific advisors to strategically invest in projects that reduce plastic pollution, such as recycling plastic bottles into new products.

Public Awareness and Action

Public awareness and individual actions play a crucial role in reducing plastic pollution. Media outlets like National Geographic are dedicated to raising awareness and tracking developments and solutions. Individuals are encouraged to reduce their plastic use, borrow or reuse items instead of buying new ones, and recycle whenever possible, despite the low recycling rates for plastics in some countries.

Technological Innovations

The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization, is at the forefront of developing and deploying technologies to remove plastic waste from oceans and rivers. Their dual strategy involves intercepting plastic in rivers to prevent it from reaching the oceans and cleaning up accumulated ocean plastic. They aim to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040, making a significant impact on marine life, the food chain, and community health.

Government Initiatives

Some governments are taking proactive measures to address plastic pollution. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his intention to eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022, recognizing India's contribution to global ocean plastic. Similarly, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has committed to banning single-use plastics and taking additional steps to reduce plastic pollution.

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