The widely used material which contributed to human development shows a two-sided effect on the Ocean
Author: Jimin Park
Editor: Youhyun (Spany) Noh
Plastic is definitely one of the most widely used resources in the world, as the production of plastic around the world is constantly increasing, from 100 million metric tonnes produced in 1989 to 359 million in 2018 (Statista). Plastic has contributed to human development in significant ways, as a lot of new products were able to be developed through the use of plastic, and it served as a mainstream resource in the product manufacturing industry because it was easily malleable and applicable for different types of products. However, when the plastic is done being used, it just creates more and more litter for the environment, which aren’t even completely decomposable. Only 9 percent of all plastics in the United States are recycled, and others are incinerated, in wastelands, or in the natural environment around us.
There are issues caused as a consequence of handling used plastic in this way, as it is not eco-friendly, safe or efficient. The problem with incineration is that the combustion process releases too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing the ozone layer to break down. The significance of this is that the harmful rays from the sun can come through the Earth’s atmosphere without the ozone layer functioning properly, therefore it is too dangerous to continue with the process. The problem with wastelands is that it requires too much space for maintenance, and there is a lot of smell and visual pollution usually accompanied with wastelands. As it is a place where nobody desires to be in, it is something that should not be taking up space on Earth, especially in times of exponential population growth.
Adding on, there is another issue that is putting the environment at risk-- which is the existence of micro and macro plastics in the marine environment. Although macroplastics in the ocean are the issue that arises to the surface, with some people aware of this situation, microplastics are an issue that is not well known to the public. Considering the severity of the issue, the current ignorance that we show towards the situation is unacceptable, as this shows that passage of downfall for marine ecosystems currently is not far long.
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Plastic is everywhere. A lot of it ends up in the ocean. Most plastics in the ocean break up into very small particles. These small plastic bits are called "microplastics." …. They pass unchanged through waterways into the ocean. Aquatic life and birds can mistake microplastics for food.
But microplastics are still a huge problem. You can help keep plastic out of the ocean. Remember: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
NOAA, 2021.
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