Plastic Paradise

The Earth is Dying and Most of Us Don't Care, a series: Plastic Paradise

@MariefeandJakesnow Snow, Jake, and Marie Fe Snow. The picture on Beach with Plastic.

I'm sure that you've probably heard about it all. Whether it be climate change, plastic straws, or dying sea creatures. The bleeding hearts of "environmental activists" always seem to creep through your social media. Unfortunately, their persistence and limited knowledge of the issues have had an adverse effect on their target audience. Rather than creating awareness, these posts create ignorance. Despite our contempt for the #plasticparadise posts, perhaps it's about time to consider the real problems behind the hashtag.

So why is plastic waste in the ocean a problem?

"In the ocean, plastic debris injures and kills fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and 43% of all marine mammal species. The impacts include fatalities as a result of ingestion, starvation, suffocation, infection, drowning, and entanglement.7"

"The Problem of Marine Plastic Pollution." Clean Water Action

Besides affecting the health of our fellow earth inhabitants, plastic pollution can actually harm the health of humans as well. Plastics in the ocean break down into smaller particles, which are ingested by all marine life. We will eventually ingest these particles after consuming any sort of seafood. Gianna Andrews of the Geology and Human Health studies states: "...toxins in plastics are directly linked to cancers, birth defects, immune system problems, and childhood developmental issues." Plastic particles can harm both animals and humans if consumed and cause a lot of harm. Decreasing populations of sea life can affect the environment, as species lose both predators and prey. Plastic pollution can affect every living thing, including us. We are not exempt from the effects of pollution.

So what can you do? Basic recycling, consciousness when buying single-use plastics, and cleaning up trash that you may see, are always helpful. If you feel as if that isn't enough, you could help out on a larger scale. Try to see what legal action can be taken against this plastic monstrosity by contacting govt. officials. We are living in a time that could possibly be the end of the earth, if that doesn't motivate you then I don't know what will.

Works Cited:

Andrews, Gianna. "Plastics in the Ocean Affecting Human Health." Geology and Human Health, serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/health/case_studies/plastics.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2019.

"The Problem of Marine Plastic Pollution." Clean Water Action, www.cleanwater.org/problem-marine-plastic-pollution. Accessed 15 Nov. 2019.

Snow, Jake, and Marie Fe Snow. Picture on Beach with Plastic.