PIXABAY
The role that plastic products play in the daily lives of people around the world is endless. We could talk about statistics throughout this article, but the impact of these numbers is bordering on inconceivable.
For those who live on the coast, a simple walk on the beach can give you an idea of how our addiction to plastic has turned into the ubiquitous bottles, cans, bags, lids and straws (to name a few). -ones).
In other areas, the perception is more poignant, as the remains of animal carcasses can be seen frequently; the plastic debris that many of them have ingested or become entangled in are still visible long after they are dead.
Unfortunately, much of the plastic pollution is not even visible to the naked eye, as much of the pollution occurs in the sea or at a microscopic level.
The early use and disposal of millions of tons of plastic is simply unsustainable and dangerous. We are only just beginning to see the profound consequences of plastic pollution and how it affects all living things. Plastic pollution affects countless marine species and there are also mammals that die every year because of it.
In this article we bring you, with 23a list of some marine animals that are dying because of our plastic waste.
Contents
sea turtles
Like many other marine animals, sea turtles mistake plastic debris for a viable food source, sometimes creating blockages in their digestive systems.
Although the decline of sea turtle populations in the oceans is due to a variety of factors (most involving human exploitation), plastic pollution plays an important role.
sea birds
Plastic waste kills millions of species of seabirds every year. Perhaps more than other birds, the Laysan Albatross has been deeply affected by plastic debris interfering with its hunting techniques.
When the albatross dives into the ocean to catch fish, squid, or other food, it uses its beak to skim the surface, picking up plastic along the way. It’s amazing how many albatrosses have ingested some sort of plastic waste. Once they eat it, it causes a blockage in their digestive system and can puncture internal organs.
Fishes
Fish, as well as all marine mammals that breathe underwater through their gills, are increasingly at risk from plastic debris microscopic. A study of University of Exeter suggests that it may take animals 6 times longer to get rid of microscopic marine debris than when they ingest it orally.
Of course, plastic pollution profoundly affects fish species, but unlike the other animals on our list, these are animals that are also often eaten by humans, so it can end up affecting us too.
What can you do?
It is clear that plastic pollution affects virtually all living organisms in the oceans of our world. It is simply unacceptable. The balance of our ecosystem is essential to our quality of life and will ultimately depend on when the world decides to stop ignoring this problem and make the necessary lifestyle changes.
We all need to be diligent as we strive to minimize our own consumption of plastic products. So whether or not you’re starting to minimize the plastic in your life, here are some key steps that never hurt to repeat.
clean up
The name explains it by itself. If you’re at the beach or the park, be careful and take what you’ve brought home with you. You also don’t lose anything by picking up a neighbour’s stuff from these sites if you see they left some debris behind. Beach cleanups are a great way to help the environment and meet like-minded people.
recycle
It is easy to implement in your daily life by recycling it at home. Most public spaces now offer recycling bin options. If you’re on the go and don’t see an area for recyclables, just ask; in the worst case, you will be forced to take home a plastic bottle or bag and recycle it yourself.
When you can: say no
We understand that going completely plastic-free can be difficult for most families, but we all know that consuming plastic isn’t always necessarily a good thing. Saying no to straws, buying in bulk, and bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store are just a few of the many ways to reduce the amount of plastic you consume.
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