Kiera Jefferson
The ocean is one of the most unexplored places on Earth, with a magnitude of undiscovered species and mysteries. However, this environment is under serious threat from human intervention, with plastics set to outnumber fish by 2050. Marine life is suffering irreparable damage from the chemical pollution of the waters and the millions of tons of mismanaged waste dumped in the oceans each year. While the exact amount of plastic waste entering the oceans is uncertain, it is estimated to be between 1 and 1.7 million tons per year, with a total of 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste currently in our oceans. This plastic pollution has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems, causing entanglement, ingestion, and internal injuries.
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What You'll Learn
Mismanaged plastic waste
The ocean is one of the most unexplored parts of the planet, with a magnitude of undiscovered species and mysteries. Unfortunately, human intervention poses a serious threat to this environment, with plastics set to outnumber fish by 2050. Mismanaged plastic waste is a significant contributor to this crisis.
The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is caused by littering, with disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, plastic bags, razors, and bottles ending up in waterways. Additionally, about 20% of ocean plastic pollution comes from industrial fishing and improper manufacturing processes. Once in the ocean, plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine life and ecosystems. It causes entanglement, suffocation, laceration, and internal injuries when ingested. The economic costs of this pollution are estimated to be between $6-19 billion USD annually, impacting tourism, fisheries, and clean-up efforts.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California, is the largest trash site on the planet. It contains 100 million kilograms of plastic, with plastic outnumbering sea life 6 to 1. This site is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address plastic pollution. While the exact amount of plastic in the ocean is uncertain, estimates range from 1 million to 1.7 million tons entering the ocean each year, contributing to the broader ''missing plastic problem'.
To tackle this crisis, it is critical to improve plastic waste management practices, especially in poorer countries. Local and global organizations, such as The Ocean Cleanup, are working to address this issue by identifying sources of mismanaged waste leakage and focusing cleanup efforts where they are needed most. Additionally, the UNEA-5.2 resolution "End Plastic Pollution" marks a significant step towards a legally binding international instrument to address plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle.
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Plastic pollution's economic costs
While the exact amount of plastic waste in the ocean is uncertain, it is clear that plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues we face. It is estimated that 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year, with 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste floating in our oceans. This plastic pollution has a devastating impact on marine life, ecosystems, and human health. It is also costly, with economic impacts estimated at between $6-19 billion per year.
The economic costs of plastic pollution are far-reaching. One of the most significant costs is the impact on fisheries and aquaculture. Plastic waste can damage fishing equipment and pollute beaches, reducing the number of tourists willing to visit these areas. This, in turn, can have a negative impact on the local economy. In addition, plastic pollution can also lead to a loss of biodiversity, which can impact the local ecosystem and further reduce the tourism potential of an area.
Another cost of plastic pollution is the price of cleanup operations. Governments and organizations must spend significant amounts of money to remove plastic waste from the ocean and other affected areas. These cleanups can be complex and costly, requiring specialized equipment and manpower. Furthermore, the incineration of plastic waste, an alternative method of disposal, also contributes to air pollution and releases carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, worsening global warming.
The economic impact of plastic pollution is not limited to direct costs but also includes indirect costs such as the loss of ecosystem services. A study by Trucost, a company that provides data and risk analysis on environmental issues, found that up to $2.5 trillion is lost each year due to marine plastic pollution. This figure takes into account the value of ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and biodiversity habitat that are lost or degraded due to plastic pollution.
The costs of plastic pollution are not just monetary but also have a human impact. Marine plastic pollution has been linked to health problems in humans and animals, with microplastics entering the food chain and causing unknown long-term effects. In addition, the production of plastic contributes to the climate crisis as it is derived from fossil fuels. The extraction and processing of these raw materials contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating the environmental and health costs of plastic pollution.
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Plastic's impact on marine life
The ocean is one of the most vulnerable environments to plastic pollution. Once plastic enters the ocean, it can be carried by waves and storms to even the most remote regions of the ocean, where it accumulates in large gyres or becomes embedded in shorelines and delicate coastal ecosystems. Over 460 million metric tons of plastic are produced every year, and an estimated 20 million metric tons of plastic waste end up in the environment annually. This amount is projected to increase significantly by 2040.
Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. It is one of the leading causes of marine species extinction, health problems for humans and animals, and the destruction of ecosystems. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals each year. The impact of plastic pollution on marine life ranges from ingestion to entanglement, starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators.
Marine species often mistake plastic waste for food, leading to internal injuries and infections. For example, sea turtles and whales have been known to ingest plastic bags and balloons, respectively, mistaking them for prey. Seabirds have also been affected by plastic pollution, with some developing "plasticosis," a medical term describing plastic-induced fibrosis caused by the ingestion of plastic with rough edges. This scarring makes it difficult for seabirds to digest food, impacting their ability to nourish themselves and their offspring.
In addition to ingestion, marine mammals can become entangled in plastic debris, leading to loss of limbs and increased vulnerability to predators. Large items of plastic can trap and restrict the movement of marine mammals and fish, making them easy targets for predators. The accumulation of plastic pollution in the ocean also affects apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas due to the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals found in plastics.
Plastic pollution in the ocean comes primarily from land runoff, littering, industrial activities, and agricultural sources. It is estimated that 80% of ocean plastic pollution is caused by littering, with disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, plastic bags, bottles, and other single-use plastics ending up in waterways and eventually in the ocean. About 20% of ocean plastic pollution originates from industrial fishing and other marine sources, such as paint shed from shipping and discarded fishing gear.
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Plastic production and climate change
The presence of plastic in the ocean is a significant and growing threat to the Earth's climate. Plastics are produced from fossil fuels, and as such, plastic production contributes to the climate crisis. The incineration of plastic waste releases carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, increasing emissions and worsening global warming. The ocean has sequestered 30-50% of carbon dioxide emissions from human-related activities, but evidence suggests that plankton are ingesting microplastics, which may degrade their ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The majority of plastic pollution in the oceans is caused by littering, with plastic waste making up 80% of all marine pollution. However, not all plastic waste in the ocean is a result of littering; many plastics and microplastics are the product of improper manufacturing processes, and about 20% of the ocean's plastic pollution comes from industrial fishing. Nearly one-quarter of the world's plastic waste is mismanaged or littered, and a large amount ends up in the ocean.
The exact amount of plastic waste that enters the oceans is uncertain, but it is estimated to be between 1 million and 1.7 million tonnes per year. Some studies suggest that the figure could be as high as 8 million tonnes per year. The accumulation of plastic in the ocean has severe consequences for marine life and ecosystems. As plastic decomposes over hundreds of years, it breaks into microplastics, which can spread all over the planet. Marine animals often mistake microplastics for food, leading to internal injuries and health problems.
The production and incineration of plastic contribute to the climate crisis by emitting greenhouse gases at every stage of the plastic lifecycle. Projections from the World Energy Council indicate that if plastic production and incineration continue to increase, greenhouse gas emissions will rise to 49 million metric tons by 2030 and 91 million metric tons by 2050. The petrochemical and plastic industries are planning a massive expansion in production, which will further exacerbate the problem.
To address the climate impacts of plastic production, systemic shifts are needed to slow the growth of plastic output. This includes stopping the expansion of petrochemical and plastic manufacturing and keeping fossil fuels in the ground. It is crucial to explore alternatives, such as using bio-based feedstocks to reduce emissions during the refining process.
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Marine debris and microplastics
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than five millimetres long. They can be the result of larger plastic pieces breaking down or be intentionally designed as microbeads for use in health and beauty products. These microbeads can pass through water filtration systems and easily enter the ocean, where they are consumed by marine life. Research has shown the negative impact of microplastics on wildlife, and their presence in marine species meant for human consumption is concerning.
Marine debris, including plastic waste, makes up 80% of all marine pollution. It is estimated that 8-10 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, with 50-75 trillion pieces of plastic and microplastics currently in the ocean. This plastic pollution has devastating impacts on marine life and ecosystems, causing entanglement, laceration, and internal injuries. It is also one of the leading causes of marine species extinction and the destruction of ecosystems.
The majority of plastic pollution in the oceans is caused by littering and improper disposal of disposable plastic items. However, not all plastic waste in the ocean is due to littering; about 20% comes from industrial fishing and improper manufacturing processes. Plastic production is at its highest, and only about 10% of the plastic we produce is recycled. The rest is incinerated or ends up in our oceans and the environment.
Preventing plastic waste from entering rivers and seas is crucial. This can be achieved through improved waste management systems, increased recycling, and reduced manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in our oceans. 269,000 tons float, 4 billion microfibers per square kilometre dwell below the surface.
While the exact figure is uncertain, it is estimated that around 0.5% of the world's plastic waste ends up in the ocean.
It is estimated that 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year. However, some more recent research estimates that this figure is somewhere between 1 million and 1.7 million tons.
The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is caused by littering. However, not all plastic waste in the ocean is a result of littering. Many plastics and microplastics are the product of improper manufacturing processes, and about 20% of the ocean's plastic pollution comes from industrial fishing.
Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. It causes damage to animals when they come into contact with or ingest plastic, including suffocation, entanglement, laceration, infections and internal injuries. It is estimated that over 100 million marine animals' lives are lost every year.
