Oceans of Plastic

Seas of Danger ⚠️ 🌊

There is a huge problem in our oceans. First and foremost, being "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch". This massive patch is the size of Texas and can be found in the northern region of the Pacific ocean. In this swirling pool of waste there are huge swaths of plastics, trash, fishing nets, bags, and other harmful materials left to float.

The trash is gathered in this garbage patch due to strong ocean currents, keeping it contained in one big dangerous pile in the middle of the Pacific. However, there are many more garbage patches found in other parts of the world's oceans.

Trash such as baskets, hats, bottles, laundry detergent bottles, bottle caps, grocery bags, and so forth are causing much harm to the ocean's natural balance. Plastics and nets are infiltrating marine life, as animals and organisms succumb to the toxic environment that this waste has created. Microplastics, which are small fragments of degraded plastic, are around 2mm or less in size. These tiny little pieces are what many researchers are the most worried about, as there are not enough clean-up crews to get rid of the mess.

These microplastics are of much worry to sea creatures, as they can be inhaled, consumed, and remain in the ocean. Garbage is buried in the floors of the ocean, is found close to shores, and in open waters. It can affect the lives of sea birds, large whales, sea turtles, and even organisms as small as plankton. Nothing is left untouched by the affects of pollution.

The Facts 🦑🐠🐳

What is known about "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch" is alarming. These plastics and trash piles are engrained within human and animal relationships with the ocean.

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that this garbage patch is referred to as a "gyre". A gyre is a section of the ocean comprised of strong flowing currents. This vortex of currents is what is keeping the immense trash in.
• None of the trash is biodegradable: all of the plastics and loose debris can only be broken down into smaller pieces. These tiny fragments can be swallowed by marine life or mistaken for food, damaging their digestion.
• Poor fishing methods, lazy cleanup from major corporations, and land activity is destroying the world's oceans. Leftover nets and extra material dumped from boats or shores is causing great damage to the livelihoods of all organisms. They can get tangled, choke, and have poor water quality due to these conditions.
• Plastics can be there for years!! Many of this trash ends up floating for 10-20 years, or even much longer.

Sources: Vox & National Geographic

What Can We Do?🦈🐡🐟

Since the world contains enough plastic already, why add more garbage if we can help it? By taking the time to cut common plastic use out of your everyday life, then your waste will not travel down the line to an ocean somewhere!

Your actions are valued and important, even if you don't think so! Therefore, here are my tips to help the cause:

1. Use Reusable Straws and Cups:

One of my favorite small business, Mermaid Straw, makes a ton of cool resuable straws that come in a bunch of different colors!

2. Put Pressure on Corporations and Commercial Fishing Companies: Voice your Concerns!

3. Decompose your own waste!

Try to use resuable trash bags, break down plastics for other uses, and create a decomposition box!

What is this "box"? Well, for food waste you can add it to a box filled with soil and earthworms! Give them something to eat, and avoid using so many bags for trash altogether!

Get an earthworm home started with some high carbon bedding/ soil, leaf litter, moss, and paper. They can eat vegetables, fruit, coffee grounds, and eggshells. (Try not to add meat to prevent bad smells or flies)

While this is a more pricey option, you can always build one yourself with cheaper materials!

My Ideal Solutions 🌎🌿

Here are some policy changes and efforts I would like to see in the near future!

-Better Recylcing Programs: Education, Funding, and Effort!

-Accessible Recyling Options for Low-Income Communities

-Shift towards Biodegradable Materials as Main Staples

-Funding and Job Openings for Ocean Clean-up Crews!

-Corporations and Fishing Agencies Being Held Accountable!