When you throw away plastic, where do you think it ends up? You are probably thinking that the plastic reaches a landfill and stays there. After watching the documentary A Plastic Ocean, I discovered that this was not the case. Only a fraction of plastic is recycled and the rest in our environment, including our oceans. We may not understand it now, but our plastic reaches our water systems, such as rivers, and would eventually transport it to our oceans. The documentary opened up about the terrifying truth and effects of plastic on marine life, human life, and the food chain. A Plastic Ocean furthered my knowledge on the severity of plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on life. I strongly advise for you to watch this documentary to better your understanding on plastic pollution so we can work together and save the Earth!
*Warning – Spoilers from the documentary A Plastic Ocean ahead!*
I am not going to lie, but there were several tear-jerking scenes in the documentary. Director Craig Leeson focused some scenes on the painful suffering of animals due to plastic consumption. I was especially moved by the researcher’s autopsy on the birds and discovered their stomachs were full of plastic pieces that prevented them from eating. Factors such as sunlight and waves break down large pieces of plastic into microplastics, which unfortunately makes the substance more easily accessible for animals to eat. The toxins from plastic passes in the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body, disturbing bodily functions. Animals, such as fish, consume these microplastics, which then transfers into the human body system since we consume them. This puts the entire food chain in danger. We throw plastic into our environment to get rid of it, but what we may not know is that plastic chemicals and toxins are probably lingering in our bodies. We are what we eat, and if what we eat animals made up of plastic chemicals, then the entire food chain will be made up of plastic.
Plastic pollution is not only affecting animals and their environments, but also humans. Since plastic is mass produced and is easily accessible, some parts of the world burn plastic to cook. These parts of the world may understand the effects of plastic chemicals and toxins that the substance produces, but are not financially inclined to do anything about it. Humans saw the advantages of plastic and its abundance, but are blind to see its harming influence on wildlife.
What should we do to prevent our quality of life from declining? Here are some methods you can start doing now:
- Recycle
- Limit your use of plastic
- Reuse plastic containers
- Participate in a beach clean up
After watching A Plastic Ocean, I will certainly adapt these methods and share it with my community. If we all work together to practice these environment-saving practices, we can slowly help our Earth heal. Although it may not solve the problem fully and quickly, we can preserve the Earth for a longer time. Think about the future generations and how much they would benefit. If we put these practices in our everyday lives, all living organisms can live longer on this planet. Restoration asks for the participation of every individual on the plant. The planet needs you.
What will you do?
Organizations such as Oceana are trying to make people more aware on the topic of plastic litter. In their website, you can join their movement and take the #BreakFreeFromPlastic pledge. If we all I hope you can find ways to help save out Earth!
To learn more about how you can end plastic pollution, check out this website: https://www.earthday.org/2018/06/08/what-you-can-do-to-end-plastic-pollution/
Citations:
“Campaign.” Oceana, oceana.org/our-campaigns/plastics?utm_campaign=Campaigns&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpcu24bC45AIVl8VkCh1yJQGkEAAYASAAEgKQDvD_BwE#action.
Thompson, Richard. “Plastic Entanglements Increase 40% For Marine Animals .” Ocean Health Index, Ocean Health Index, 22 Aug. 2013, www.oceanhealthindex.org/news/Death_By_Plastic.
Arabella Krystienne's AP Biology Blog 