Ocean Pollution And The Effects Of It
Global warming has been an ongoing topic mostly everyone doesn’t like to discuss. Unfortunately, things have only been getting worse beginning from the glaciers deteriorating so quickly and most rainforests being burned down endangering most species. But the most damaged ecosystem is the ocean, it is polluted by plastic and many other things that are being dumped into our oceans. The ocean is massive and has parts that are yet to be discovered and it also has a variety of sea life we have yet to be made aware of and pollution is killing some of their homes. The sea’s look deceives what really is going on inside.
The ocean is home to millions of species of marine life and the majority of sea life we cannot see with a naked eye. We cannot attest what we cannot see is what some might argue. These organisms contribute greatly to the development of the ocean as well as the ecosystem that thrive from the bottom of the pyramid all the way to the top of the food chain. But as time goes by we begin to see how the ocean is affected and how nothing is being done to stop or slow down the process. The most unknown but needed organism is algae, most don't know but the algae produces 70% to 80% of all the oxygen we breathe. But no one asks themselves what would happen if our oceans are polluted and the algae is not producing oxygen regularly. A great way to maintain a vast intake of oxygen is to keep our oceans clean of plastic and waste. A solution to this damage would be to clean on land and the plastic be removed from the ocean, waste shouldnt be thrown on the ground and obviously we should avoid using plastic over all.
There has been beach cleanup groups that have been made to help stop the waste to entering the oceans. The beach is a popular place for friends and family to enjoy the warm sun and crisp ocean water. The fresh breeze only adds more comfort for the visitors stay. Sadly the popular hangout spot is taking a toll because of the trash that is left all around the sandy beach. With trash cans across the beach it seems as if people miss throwing it inside the bin. The trash finds its way down to the ocean water through wind and different motions throughout the day.
SaveOurBeach is a nonprofit organization that focuses solely on cleaning the beach to make it more beautiful and vivid for visitors and wildlife that habits surrounding areas. SaveOurBeach relies on partners, sponsorships and donations to bring this change to life and the backbone of the organization are the volunteers who find a purpose in making the ocean a better place! A lot of marine life depend on the beach’s cleanliness and the ecosystem seems to prove that the ocean is not clean. Derek Dodds, Founder of Tribe Waves stated, “Clean-ups are wonderful opportunities to do large scale rehabilitation work in our beaches. But we don’t have to wait for the next one in order to start cleaning up. ” A simple day or date at the beach can do wonders and like Mr Dodds mentioned you don't have to eagerly wait for the next event because everyday is an opportunity to make a change at the beach! SaveOurBeach hosts events once or twice a month and are focused on cleaning beaches at Seal Beach and a riverbed at the Cerritos Wetlands. So far the generosity of the volunteers and the contribution of many years worth of work, SaveOurBeach has cleaned 3. 5 millions tons of trash within the Pacific Ocean, 40 tons of debris that washes up on the beach every year, and discovered that 260 species of sea creatures are known to digest and eat non biodegradable plastic material. This sad because marine life ends up at the beach side dead and bloated and when they dissect their stomach to analyze cause of death they discover insane amount of plastic inside.
Conservation is really important and it has to be done in order to save the large body of water that surrounds us. The beautiful hangout spot is being trashed and contaminated by companies and corporations that feel it is a good idea to dump all their waste in. The ocean has been turned into a dumping site thinking the trash will go away but this only makes matters worse. Eventually the water will take the trash and spread it all throughout the world's body of water. Without any conservation it will only get worse because of all the toxic waste and chemicals that will soon poison the water in which we swim in and explore. Dumping revolves around the disposal of garbage and waste into the large body of water. Depositing waste and materials is also part of dumping. Major factories and corporations feel this is the easiest way to get rid of all the trash. Ships, tankers, and bad manners also contribute to the deterioration of the ocean. The waste that is being thrown into the water is not just plastic but also includes toxic material and chemicals such as radioactive material, mercury, DDT, needles, beauty products, etc.
Regardless of the portion whether big or small all of it contributes and accumulates over time leading to negative effects and pollution in the water. Careless dumping will catch up and eventually we will be forced to do something about.
Greenpeace is a global phenomenon that uses peaceful protest and unique ideas to communicate and expose global environmental issues that affect the natural world around us. They also promote various ways to battle the ongoing problems with global warming. According to Greenpeace, “It is estimated that up to 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean each year. ” This is a lot of trash and is nothing to joke about. Depositing trash and garbage will entangle the necks and mouth of fishes, birds, turtles and all other wildlife. This becomes a problem as soon as we hear that animals are found dead washed up at the beach. The stomachs of marine wildlife cannot digest small chunks of plastic and will clog the organ because it is confused as food. Plastic will not digest properly and the poor animals cannot tell the difference between that and an organism.
For many years and even decades we have been told to recycle our plastic and the problems will eventually go away in terms of saving the ocean. We have been told to stop dispensing water because we don't have much clean water to use. We have been told to substitute our plastic utensils with reusable ones (although this makes a difference and brings awareness, it will not make much of a difference) only to be told that it's not enough. Recycling will not fix the problem 100% and what we need to focus is on is the bigger problem. We are told to recycle the millions of plastic that is being produced by large companies but we cannot suggest them to use any other alternative material that will not only stop pollution in the ocean but help the environment all around. Over 80 percent of plastic produced in factories and corporations is not recycled. Large corporations need to be held accountable for their business practices and regulations need to be sustained in order to see progress in the situation.
Greenpeace is known for acting and trying to bring awareness about this type of problem. “It is up to all of us to demand better — to tell these corporate giants that we will no longer tolerate the plastics they force upon us. Our world deserves better, and we don’t need their products if they refuse to adapt. ” This is a powerful message set by Greenpeace to stop corporations from using plastic and any other hazardous material that will damage the oceans ecosystem. Not only that but they also initiate petitions that forces companies to use other helpful alternatives in terms of making the environment a better place. If we as a whole refuse to use any product because of the material its being made with then we can make our voices heard by signing a petition from Greenpeace. Industries and business play a very big role than the individuals who substitute a plastic straw with a stainless steel one. If something that is being made takes a few minutes to package and put together but lasts forever, why is the environment the one to pay the price? At Greenpeace they insist corporations to step up and own up to their responsibility and contribution to the oceans pollution. Industries and business play a very big role than the individuals who substitute a plastic straw with a stainless steel one. If something that is being made takes a few minutes to package and put together but lasts forever, why is the environment the one to pay the price? At Greenpeace they insist corporations to step up and own up their responsibility and contribution to the oceans pollution. They feel like the corporations should take full responsibility for their own actions in causing not only plastic pollution but smog as well. Corporations created plastic for their own benefit and now it's time to pay the price for what they influenced.
References
- Dodds, Derek. “Why Beach Clean-Ups Are Important. ” Wave Tribe | Share The Stoke ®, 25 Feb. 2019, https://www. wavetribe. com/blogs/eco/why-beach-cleanups-are-important.
- Howard, Brian Clark. “A Running List of Action on Plastic Pollution. ” National Geographic, 10 June 2019, https://www. nationalgeographic. com/environment/2018/07/ocean-plastic-pollution-soluti ons/.
- “Preventing Plastic Pollution. ” Greenpeace USA, 12 Oct. 2018, https://www. greenpeace. org/usa/oceans/preventing-plastic-pollution/.
- “Ocean Pollution. ” Ocean Pollution | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 12 June 2018, https://www. noaa. gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts-education-resources /ocean-pollution.
- “Save Our Beach Celebrates Its Twentieth Anniversary This Month. ” Save Our Beach, 1 Oct. 2018, http://www. saveourbeach. org/2018/10/01/save-our-beach-celebrates-its-twentieth-anniv ersary-this-month/.
