Ocean Pollution: Facts You Need To Know

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface, govern the weather, clean the air, help feed the world, and provide a living for millions. However, human activities have led to ocean pollution, threatening ocean health, marine life, food safety, human health, and coastal tourism. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest contributors to ocean pollution, with an estimated 8 to 12 million tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade, breaking down into microplastics that enter the food chain. Oil spills, carbon emissions, agricultural runoff, and noise pollution also significantly impact marine ecosystems. Addressing ocean pollution requires individual behaviour changes, improved waste management, and global cooperation to implement policies that reduce plastic use and protect marine environments.

Plastic pollution is a global crisis

The production of plastic began in the 1950s, and while the amount of plastic waste generated at that time was relatively manageable, today we produce approximately 300 million tons of plastic waste each year. An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean annually, with more plastic coming from Indonesia and India than anywhere else. China and Indonesia are the world's biggest contributors to plastic pollution in the ocean, accounting for one-third of total ocean plastic pollution.

Plastic is one of the most enduring materials ever created, taking hundreds of years to degrade. Even then, it may not fully degrade but instead break down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which can be ingested by marine animals and enter the food chain. As the climate changes and the planet gets hotter, plastics release more greenhouse gases, increasing the rate of climate change. The ocean absorbs a significant portion of man-made carbon emissions, leading to ocean acidification.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. Plastic debris floating in the water can resemble food to animals, who ingest it and suffer fatal consequences. Over 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic entanglement and ingestion. Plastic pollution also contributes to the creation of dead zones in the ocean, where pollution consumes oxygen, resulting in mass die-offs of fish and other marine life.

Addressing plastic pollution requires global cooperation and individual action. While reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic are important, it is also crucial to support legislation aimed at reducing plastic use and production, improving recycling facilities, and better waste management.

Oceans absorb carbon emissions

As the planet gets hotter due to climate change, more greenhouse gases are released from plastics, increasing the rate of climate change. This, in turn, makes the ocean more acidic and further warms it up. The increasing ocean temperature and acidity have severe consequences for marine life, especially coral reefs.

Coral reefs are essential in the fight against climate change as they sequester a lot of carbon. However, if the global temperature rises by more than 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, over 99% of the world's coral reefs will disappear.

In addition to the direct effects of carbon emissions, the impact of plastic pollution on the ocean is also a significant concern. Plastic debris in the ocean can resemble food to marine animals, leading to ingestion and entanglement. This fills their stomachs, causing starvation and preventing the digestion of actual food. Plastic is also made with toxic chemicals, which accumulate in the food web over time as it is ingested by marine organisms.

Furthermore, plastic does not easily degrade; it breaks down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which can be ingested by marine animals and enter the food chain. These microplastics can have disastrous consequences for the health of the planet and all its inhabitants.

Oil spills are not the main source of ocean oil

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and are among its most valuable natural resources. They govern the weather, clean the air, help feed the world, and provide a living for millions of people. They are also home to most of the life on Earth, from microscopic algae to the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet.

Despite their importance, human activities have had a devastating impact on the oceans. One of the most well-known sources of ocean pollution is oil spills. While these incidents grab headlines and can have significant negative consequences, they account for just 12% of the oil in our oceans. In fact, two to three times as much oil is carried out to sea via runoff from roads, rivers, and drainpipes. This runoff can have severe impacts on marine life, as seen in the case of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people and the spillage of approximately 134 million gallons of oil into the ocean.

Another major source of ocean pollution is plastic waste. Plastic has become an essential part of daily life due to its cheap cost, versatility, and durability. However, this reliance has created a global environmental crisis, with plastic pollution being one of the biggest threats to marine environments. An estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, with 4 billion plastic microfibers estimated to be in the ocean per square kilometer. This plastic can break down into microplastics, which can find their way into the food chain and release toxic chemicals, harming marine wildlife.

In addition to oil and plastic pollution, the oceans also absorb a significant portion of the world's carbon emissions, which contributes to ocean acidification. As the climate changes and the planet gets hotter, more greenhouse gases are released, further increasing the rate of climate change. This has severe consequences for marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, which are vital habitats in the fight against climate change.

It is important to recognize that individual actions can contribute to the health of marine ecosystems. People can reduce water pollution and runoff, be mindful of their plastic consumption, and organize cleanups of local waterways. Additionally, advocating for climate policies and more sustainable practices can help protect the oceans and the life they sustain.

Plastic waste harms marine life

Plastic waste is one of the biggest environmental problems of our time, and it is having a devastating impact on our oceans and the life within them. Plastic is an extremely durable material, and it can take hundreds of years to degrade. Even then, it may not fully degrade, instead breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces known as microplastics. These microplastics can be eaten by marine animals, entering the food chain and leading to disastrous consequences for the health of our planet and all its inhabitants.

Marine animals often mistake plastic for food, eating it and filling their stomachs, leading to starvation. Plastic is made with toxic chemicals, and these contaminants enter the digestive systems of marine organisms, accumulating in the food web over time. It is estimated that over 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic ingestion and entanglement.

The presence of plastic in our oceans is continually increasing, and it is now found in all oceans, even in the deepest parts of the Mariana Trench. Studies have found that crustaceans in the Marianas Trench, the ocean's deepest point, have ingested plastic. Plastic pollution is still one of the main causes of marine species extinction, and it is threatening ocean health, food safety and quality, human health, and coastal tourism, as well as contributing to climate change.

To reduce the impact of plastic waste on marine life, it is essential to change individual behaviours and habits, such as reducing plastic consumption and properly disposing of litter. However, individual action is not enough, and it is also important to support legislation that aims to reduce plastic use and production, improve recycling facilities, and better manage waste.

Ocean pollution is preventable

Ocean pollution is a pressing issue that threatens marine life, ecosystems, and human health. However, the good news is that ocean pollution is preventable, and there are many ways to address this global challenge.

One significant contributor to ocean pollution is plastic waste. Plastic is a durable material that can take hundreds of years to degrade, breaking down into microplastics that persist in the environment. These microplastics can be ingested by marine animals, leading to health issues and even extinction. To combat this, it is essential to reduce plastic consumption and properly manage waste. Individuals can play a role by refusing single-use plastics, reusing and recycling plastic items, and supporting legislation aimed at reducing plastic production and improving waste management.

Another source of ocean pollution is agricultural runoff, particularly nitrogen pollution. Excess nitrogen can stimulate algae growth, leading to oxygen depletion and the creation of dead zones in the oceans. To address this issue, sustainable agricultural practices that minimize the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers can be implemented. Additionally, treating sewage before it enters the ocean can help reduce the impact on marine life and improve water quality.

Ocean pollution also arises from oil spills and daily runoff from roads, rivers, and drainpipes. While oil spills grab headlines, routine runoff contributes a larger proportion of oil pollution in the oceans. To mitigate this, stricter regulations on oil disposal and better waste management systems can be enforced. Additionally, transitioning to cleaner energy sources and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels will help reduce the overall impact on the oceans.

Noise pollution is another often-overlooked form of ocean pollution. Ships, tankers, and shipping containers emit high-intensity sonar and air gun sounds that disrupt marine life. Advocating for regulations on ocean noise pollution and implementing quieter technologies can help address this issue.

By combining individual actions, such as reducing plastic consumption and properly disposing of litter, with collective efforts, including supporting environmental organizations and advocating for policy changes, we can make significant strides in preventing ocean pollution and protecting our marine ecosystems for future generations.

Frequently asked questions