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The United Indian

The Real Threat of Marine Pollution Caused by Plastic: Understanding the Consequences

   Water Pollution Plastic Pollution

Its Time To Take Action

Posted
Apr 25, 2023
Category
Environment

The beauty of the ocean is unparalleled, with its vastness, mystery, and abundance of life. Yet, beneath the shimmering surface lies a hidden crisis that threatens the very existence of marine life and our planet as a whole: plastic pollution. The impact of plastic on our oceans and marine ecosystems is devastating, with millions of tonnes of plastic waste entering the ocean every year. The consequences of this pollution are far-reaching, affecting not only marine life but also human health and the global economy. It's time to take a closer look at this urgent issue and explore what we can do to address it.

 

Here are a few stats that we recently came across while our research

1. Five trillion plastic bags were used in 2022. That’s 160,000 every second!

2. Each year, enough Bubble Wrap is created globally to cover the distance between the earth and the moon.

3. The world uses 500 billion plastic cups every year.

4. Humans use about 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute in total. Approximately 91% of plastic is not recycled.

 

Given these shocking statistics, it's hard to deny that plastic waste is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed urgently. We can no longer ignore the impact of our actions on the environment, and we need to take responsibility for our plastic consumption.

 

Water Pollution

 

 

This leave no doubt that the problem of plastic waste is a growing concern worldwide, and it's not hard to see why. Every year, billions upon billions of plastic items are produced and used, contributing to a massive accumulation of plastic waste that is choking our oceans and damaging the environment. Despite this alarming situation, many people continue to ignore the issue, believing that it is not their problem or that their actions cannot make a difference. But the facts speak for themselves.

 

Causes of Marine Pollution Caused by Plastic

The use of single-use plastics and the disposal of plastic waste in our oceans are just two examples of the many human activities that contribute to plastic pollution in the marine environment. The most significant factors that contribute to marine pollution are as follows:

  1. Single-use plastics: Straws, water bottles, and plastic bags are examples of single-use plastics that play a significant role in marine pollution. These items are made to be used once and then thrown away, resulting in significant plastic waste.
  2. Improper disposal of waste: Another major cause of marine pollution is bad waste management, like dumping plastic waste in our oceans. This can occur because of unfortunate waste administration rehearses or the absence of appropriate reusing framework.
  3. Fishing nets : Most fishing nets are made of plastic, and they can get lost or left behind in the ocean, harming marine life greatly.

Plastic Bottles in Water Bodies

Effects of Plastic Pollution In The Ocean

The devastating and far-reaching effects of plastic-induced marine pollution affect not only marine life but also human health and the environment. Some of the most significant effects of plastic pollution in the ocean are as follows:

  • Hazard to aquatic life: It is simple for marine animals to mistake plastic for food, which can result in ingestion and entanglement. This has the potential to cause long-term harm to the entire marine ecosystem as well as injury or death.
  • Harm to the climate: Plastic waste can require many years to break down, prompting the collection of plastic garbage in our seas. This can hurt marine life as well as harm the common habitat, including sea shores and coral reefs.
  • Human health risks: People's health may also be at risk from plastic pollution. For instance, ingesting microplastics can result in the body taking in harmful chemicals.

 

Effects Of Marine Pollution

 

Ways to Reduce Plastic based Marine Pollution

To reduce plastic pollution in the marine environment, individuals, governments, and businesses must work together. We can all help protect our oceans and reduce plastic waste in the following ways:

  • Decrease single-use plastics: Avoiding single-use plastics is one of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste. This could mean using a shopping bag or water bottle that can be used again instead of something that needs to be thrown away.
  • Proper disposal of waste: Plastic waste can also be reduced through proper waste management practices. Recycling, composting, and properly disposing of plastic waste are all examples of this.
  • Support government activity: States can assume a huge part in decreasing plastic waste through guidelines and strategies. Supporting government activity on diminishing plastic waste can assist with making enduring change.

 

Key Highlights

There are many simple steps that we can take to reduce our plastic waste, such as using reusable bags, bottles, and containers, avoiding single-use plastics, and recycling whenever possible. By making these small changes in our daily lives, we can make a significant impact on the environment and help to reduce the amount of plastic waste that is polluting our oceans and damaging our planet.

Read more in Environment

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