Sofia Martinez
Plastic is a global pollutant that is having a devastating impact on our oceans and the array of species that call it home. From seabirds to whales, dolphins, and tiny seahorses, no marine creature is too big or too small to escape the far-reaching consequences of plastic waste. The problem is growing: billions of pounds of plastic can be found in swirling convergences that make up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces, and it is estimated that up to 13 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year. Plastic waste is deadly to marine life, and it is also polluting the human food chain. What can be done to address this crisis?
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste is deadly for marine wildlife
Plastic waste is having a devastating impact on marine wildlife. It is estimated that up to 13 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year, and the amount is growing. Plastic debris in the ocean has been recorded to injure and kill marine wildlife, including fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.
Plastic waste can affect marine wildlife in several ways. One of the most common and deadly impacts is through ingestion. Marine animals, such as sea turtles, seabirds, and whales, often mistake plastic debris for food. This can lead to intestinal injuries, suffocation, and starvation. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and a recent study found that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic. Plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of the stomach, leading to starvation. Additionally, plastics can absorb toxins, which can be transferred to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them, causing toxic contamination.
Another significant way plastic harms marine wildlife is through entanglement. Large items of plastic, such as derelict fishing nets and other plastic debris, can entangle marine mammals and fish, restricting their movement, causing injuries, and making them more vulnerable to predators. Endangered species such as the humpback dolphin and Hawaiian monk seals have been observed with plastic tightly wrapped around their bodies, cutting into their skin and exposing them to the risk of deadly infections.
Plastic waste also indirectly affects marine wildlife by encouraging the growth of pathogens in the ocean. Corals that come into contact with plastic have an 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to only a 4% likelihood for corals that are plastic-free. Furthermore, plastic debris can transport invasive species, further disrupting marine ecosystems.
The impact of plastic waste on marine wildlife is widespread and deadly. It is essential to address this urgent problem by reducing plastic use, improving waste management, and participating in cleanup efforts to protect marine ecosystems and the diverse species that call them home.
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Plastic pollution impacts human health
Plastic pollution has become a ubiquitous issue, threatening not just the environment but also human health and that of future generations. The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics threaten human health on a global scale.
Research indicates that humans are exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals and microplastics through inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin contact. A study estimates that an average adult consumes approximately 2,000 microplastics per year through salt. Microplastics have also been found in human livers, kidneys, and placentas. The toxic chemical additives in plastics have been linked to causing cancer, lung disease, endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, and reproductive issues. The adverse effects of plastic are particularly acute for children in the womb and young children, with increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, birth defects, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer.
Plastic pollution also impacts human health through multiple pathways, including climate change, biodiversity loss, disruption of carbon dioxide absorption by marine organisms, impacts on soil with implications for agriculture, and the propagation of infectious diseases. The complex and intersecting human health impacts of plastic pollution occur at every stage of its lifecycle, from extraction to waste management and ongoing impacts as air, water, and soil pollution.
While the specific health impacts of microplastics remain a subject of ongoing research, the presence of plastic pollution in natural and built environments, including oceans, soil, and air, underscores the urgency of addressing this global crisis. The current piecemeal approach to tackling plastic pollution has been inadequate, and a comprehensive lifecycle approach is necessary to understand and mitigate the full scope of plastic's toxic impacts on human health.
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Plastic waste affects economies
Plastic waste is a significant issue that affects economies and the environment. It is a global problem that impacts millions of people's livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being. The mismanagement of plastic waste, especially in poorer and middle-income countries, leads to environmental pollution and economic strain.
The presence of plastic in the ocean is a pressing issue that has severe economic implications. The annual leakage of 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic waste into aquatic ecosystems results in the pollution of lakes, rivers, and seas. This pollution has a direct impact on the economies of the affected regions. The cost of cleaning up plastic pollution and restoring ecosystems is substantial, placing a financial burden on governments and local communities.
The impact of plastic waste on marine life also has economic repercussions. Marine animals, such as fish, seabirds, and mammals, suffer from entanglement or ingestion of plastic debris, leading to injuries and death. This has a direct impact on the fishing and seafood industries, affecting the livelihoods of those who depend on marine resources for their income. Additionally, plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change, which can have long-term economic consequences for industries such as tourism and agriculture that rely on healthy ecosystems.
Furthermore, the presence of plastic in the ocean can affect international trade and economic relationships. Regions heavily impacted by plastic pollution may face challenges in maintaining their exports, particularly in the seafood industry, as consumers become increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their purchases. This can lead to a decrease in demand for products from affected regions, impacting their economic growth and development.
The economic impact of plastic waste is also felt in the form of cleanup and mitigation costs. Governments and organizations invest significant resources in cleanup efforts, awareness campaigns, and the development of alternative solutions to reduce plastic waste. These efforts require substantial financial support, and the effectiveness of these initiatives depends on consistent funding and support from various stakeholders.
To address the economic impacts of plastic waste, a systemic transformation towards a circular economy is necessary. This involves improving waste management practices, reducing plastic usage, and promoting recycling and sustainable alternatives. By addressing the root causes of plastic pollution, we can mitigate the economic and environmental consequences, fostering a more sustainable future for economies and ecosystems alike.
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Plastic waste contributes to climate change
Plastic waste is a significant contributor to climate change. As plastic is derived from fossil fuels, including natural gas and crude oil, the extraction, production, transportation, and refinement of plastic emit vast amounts of greenhouse gases. The removal of forests for oil extraction and pipeline construction releases carbon dioxide, reducing the planet's capacity to absorb this gas from the atmosphere. Landfills, where most single-use plastics end up, account for over 15% of methane emissions, and their expansion further contributes to climate change.
The incineration of plastic waste, while less common than landfilling, has an even greater climate impact. Burning plastic releases thousands of pollutants, including greenhouse gases, and the facilities are often built near communities of colour and low-income populations, perpetuating environmental injustice. Recycling, though beneficial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, has its limitations. Only a small percentage of plastic is successfully recycled, and the process of recycling plastic degrades the material, limiting its reuse.
The presence of plastic waste in oceans is a critical aspect of the climate change discussion. Marine debris, predominantly plastic, is increasing in oceans worldwide. Research has shown that plastic in oceans accumulates pollutants and transports them through ocean currents, impacting marine life and, consequently, the human food chain. Marine animals, such as fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and mammals, ingest or become entangled in plastic debris, leading to their suffering and death.
Furthermore, plastic waste in oceans contributes to the growth of pathogens. Corals that come into contact with plastic have an 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to only a 4% likelihood for corals that are untouched. This plastic pollution also affects the reproduction rates of sea turtles by altering the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs.
The impact of plastic waste on climate change and the environment is undeniable. To mitigate these effects, it is essential to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic materials, support legislation for reduced plastic use, and participate in local clean-up efforts to remove plastic from our oceans and environment.
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Plastic waste is a biodiversity loss driver
Plastic waste is a major driver of biodiversity loss. It is a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic found in swirling convergences that make up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. Plastic debris in the ocean has increased dramatically over the years, with research documenting a five-fold increase in the Central Pacific Gyre between 1997 and 2007, and a ten-fold increase in plastic particles off Japan's coast between the 1970s and 1980s.
Plastic waste affects marine life in various ways and poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Marine animals, such as fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and mammals, can become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury, suffocation, starvation, and drowning. Additionally, they often mistake plastic for food, ingesting it and causing intestinal injuries and death. According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, with 80% of that litter being plastic.
The impact of plastic waste on marine life is not limited to physical entanglement or ingestion. Floating plastics in the oceans attract persistent organic pollutants, which are then transported through ocean currents. Marine life that ingests these plastics coated with pollutants can absorb them into their bodies. This has been observed in fish, with 35% of the fish caught during a 2008 Pacific Gyre voyage found to have ingested plastic pieces.
Furthermore, plastic waste can encourage the growth of pathogens in the ocean. Corals that come into contact with plastic have an 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to only a 4% likelihood for corals that are plastic-free. Plastic pollution also affects the reproduction rates of sea turtles by altering the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs.
The accumulation of plastic in our oceans is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention. It is essential to recognize that even plastic waste that seems far from the coast can find its way into the sea. Once in the ocean, plastic does not fully biodegrade but breaks down into microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and have detrimental effects on marine life and, consequently, human health.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic enters the ocean through a variety of land and ocean-based sources. Land-based sources include litter, construction debris, industrial waste, and trash blown out of garbage containers, trucks, and landfills. Ocean-based sources include overboard discharges from ships and discarded fishing gear.
Plastic in the ocean has a direct and deadly effect on marine life. Marine animals can get entangled in plastic debris or ingest it, causing suffocation, intestinal injuries, and death. Plastic can also transport invasive species and pollutants through ocean currents, which can be absorbed by marine life that ingests plastic. According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, with plastic making up 80% of that litter.
Plastic pollution in the ocean contributes to climate change, threatens human health, affects food and water safety, and burdens economic activities. Microplastics have been found in human blood, placentas, food, drinks, and tap water. Chemicals used in plastic production are known to be carcinogenic and can cause various health disorders.
Reducing plastic use, reusing and recycling plastic items, and participating in local cleanup efforts can help keep plastic out of the ocean. Proper waste disposal and supporting initiatives to regulate plastics as pollutants are also crucial.
Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than 5mm in size. They can come from larger plastics breaking down or be produced as small plastics, such as microbeads found in personal care products. Microplastics can enter the marine food chain and have unknown impacts on ocean life, potentially affecting marine ecosystems and human health.
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