By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish. How can we help stop this?
Did you know that the ocean is not only the largest but also one of the most important ecosystems on our planet? It regulates global climate temperatures, plays a big role in the carbon cycle, and provides livelihoods for billions around the globe. But did you also know that the amount of plastic in the world’s oceans are projected to outweigh the number of fish by 2050? It is estimated that around 80% of marine pollution originated from land and is manmade. We are seeing governments and businesses finally start to acknowledge this problem, but is that enough? What can we do to help?
According to a WWF-commissioned review of over 2,590 studies[1], plastic pollution has an alarming impact on ocean species and ecosystems. Based on projections, the review showed that plastic production is expected to more than double by 2040, which means plastic debris found in the ocean could quadruple by 2050there could be more plastic than fish in the sea (by weight). This alarming prediction should spark concern from all of us as it heavily impacts our lives. We need to start caring for our future by taking initiatives to minimize plastic waste in the ocean, and here is some guidance on how to do this:
Choose flushable products
More than 8 tons of plastic are poured into the seas every year, usually from rivers, dumped alongside coastlines or from abandoned fishing vessels. This is compounded by the increase in different types of wet wipes, 90% of which contain synthetic fibers or plastics that do not break down[2].
Moreover, flushability labelling can sometimes be misleading. Although we have seen an upsurge in products which are labelled as “Do Not Flush”, there are also many wipes on the market incorrectly labelled as “Flushable” but, in fact, do not break down quickly when they enter the sewer system, causing serious sewage blockages and marine pollution. To alleviate this issue, Water UK, a membership body representing the UK water industry, created the “Fine to Flush” symbol to help identify which wet wipes can be flushed down toilets safely. Be on the lookout when purchasing everyday care products and choose items that have this label or a certification from the International Water Services Flushability Group that they are safe to flush in low quantity in toilets with access to sewage systems.
Pick up the plastic you find on beaches
The next time you go to the beach, take notice of the amount of plastic that is floating near the shore. Around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic ends up in the ocean each year, and plastic bags are believed to be responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 marine animals and more than one million seabirds each year. So whether you go for a beach day with family and friends, a solo-tanning session, or an enjoyable walk on the beach, take a bag with you and spend some time cleaning up any trash items you see. This could help the environment and you would also be encouraging those around you to join this initiative! If you prefer group settings, you can also sign up to a local organization to do a beach cleanup together.
Not all plastic waste is visible to the naked eye
When you think of ocean pollution, you may have an image of plastic bottles and bags floating around the ocean, but it is much more than that. Scientists have recently found 10,000 times more microplastics on the seafloor than in contaminated surface waters. Microplastics are extremely small plastic pieces which may be hard to identify but pose a huge threat to marine life and our entire ecosystem. Microplastic pollution is often consumed by marine animals, which can have a toxic effect. Moreover, it can also contaminate air and interfere with oxygen flow between the sea and the atmosphere.
There is so much more to this picture than floating bottles and trash. Whilst scientists do not yet understand the full impact microplastics can have on human and marine life, we suggest reading articles and watching videos to understand more about this issue and learning ways to help. After all, #ItsInOurHands to act now for a better and brighter future.
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[2] https://getbiom.co/blogs/news/are-biodegradable-wipes-flushable
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