Plastic pollution poses one of the biggest known threats to the ocean, influencing all ecosystems from beautiful coral reefs to abyssal trenches, eventually accumulating in our own food.
source/image: National Geographic
Learn more about how to upend the current system of produce-use-discard, and transition to a system which promotes reuse and repurposing of plastics.
source/image: National Geographic
In the ocean, plastic pollution impacts sea turtles, whales, seabirds, fish, coral reefs, and countless other marine species and habitats. It also mars otherwise beautiful beaches, coastlines, and snorkel and dive sites worldwide, even in remote areas such as Midway Atoll.
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One of the reasons that plastic pollution is such a problem is that it doesn’t go away: “plastics are forever.” Instead, plastic debris simply breaks down into ever-smaller particles, known as microplastics, whose environmental impacts are still being determined./oceanicsociety
So, what can you do about ocean plastic pollution?
Everyone can do something to reduce the amount of plastic that enters the ocean. Here are seven ways you can make a difference.
1. Reduce Your Use of Single-Use Plastics
2. Recycle
3. Participate in a Beach or River Cleanup
4. Support Bans
5. Avoid Microbeads
6. Spread the Word
7. Support Organizations Addressing Plastic Pollution
