Meghan Hodges
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects both land and marine animals. While it is difficult to determine the exact percentage of animals that die from pollution, it is evident that pollution is causing significant harm to various species. Plastic pollution has been identified as the cause of death for many animals, including whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, birds, and fish. It is estimated that over 100,000 marine animals die each year due to plastic ingestion or entanglement, with millions of seabirds also falling victim to plastic pollution annually. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate deaths, as it also contributes to global oxygen loss and poses risks to human health through the consumption of affected fish and other sea animals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution annually | 100,000-1,000,000+ |
| Number of sea birds killed by plastic pollution annually | 1,000,000 |
| Number of cetaceans entangled and killed by plastic pollution | 300,000 |
| Number of marine species affected by plastic pollution | 640,000+ |
| Percentage of sea turtles ingesting plastic | 50% |
| Percentage of young Loggerhead turtles with obstructed digestive systems due to plastic ingestion | 15% |
| Percentage of Laysan albatross with plastic ingestion | 98% |
| Percentage of plastic recycled | 14% |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion kills marine animals
Marine animals are dying from ingesting plastic, mistaking it for prey or food. It is estimated that plastic kills 100,000 marine mammals every year, with 81 out of 123 marine mammal species known to have eaten plastic.
Marine animals that rely on eyesight may mistake plastic bags floating in the water for prey such as jellyfish or squid. For example, a plastic bag filled with water can look like a squid to seals and marine mammals that hunt them. Even species that do not identify prey by sight are not safe. Toothed whales and many species of dolphins use a sophisticated sonar-type technique called echolocation to find their prey, but this does not protect them from ingesting plastic.
All seven species of sea turtles have been confirmed to eat marine debris, mistaking plastic sheeting and plastic bags for their jellyfish prey. This type of debris can get stuck in their digestive system, making them feel full and reducing their urge to feed, which can lead to poor nutrition and starvation.
Other marine animals affected by plastic ingestion include albatrosses, fulmars, and shearwaters, which are among the seabird species most affected by marine debris. Laysan albatross chicks that ingested large amounts of plastic were found to have lower weights, as the plastic in their stomachs meant they could not eat a full meal.
In addition to marine animals, land animals also suffer from plastic pollution. For example, a Japanese deer was found dead with 4.3 kilograms of plastic in its stomach, and half of all Arabian camels die each year from ingesting plastic bags.
While it is difficult to know exactly how many animals are killed by plastic pollution, it is clear that plastic ingestion is a significant threat to marine life, leading to internal injuries, intestinal blockage, starvation, and death.
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Abandoned fishing gear entangles marine animals
It is difficult to determine the exact percentage of animals that die from pollution. However, it is evident that pollution, including abandoned fishing gear, is causing significant harm to various species, with millions of animals dying every year.
Abandoned Fishing Gear: A Serious Threat to Marine Life
Abandoned fishing gear, often referred to as "ghost gear," poses a significant threat to marine animals. This equipment, including nets, ropes, and buoys, can entangle and trap marine creatures, leading to severe injuries and death. The durability of the plastic used in fishing gear means that it can remain in the marine environment for centuries, continuing to entangle and harm animals even after the initial victim has died.
Countless incidents have been reported of marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, turtles, and birds, becoming entangled in abandoned fishing gear. In one instance, a humpback whale off the coast of Australia was entangled in over 650 feet of rope and 10 buoys, severely limiting its ability to swim. Similarly, a heron suffered fatal injuries due to entanglement, and a dead turtle was found off the coast of Florida, still trapped in abandoned netting.
The impact of ghost gear is not limited to accidental entanglement. The vaquita porpoise, a critically endangered species found only in Mexico's Gulf of California, is threatened by illegal nylon gillnets used to catch another endangered fish species. These nets drown vaquitas, contributing to their near eradication.
Global Efforts to Address the Issue
Recognizing the severity of the problem, organizations like the World Animal Protection have taken initiatives to address abandoned fishing gear. In 2015, they created the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) to advocate for the reduction and proper disposal of ghost gear. Additionally, volunteer divers have recovered tons of ghost fishing gear from the oceans, and organizations like PETA actively campaign to raise awareness and rescue entangled animals.
Reducing the Impact
While efforts are being made to mitigate the issue, it is essential to address the root cause by reducing the use of disposable plastics and properly disposing of fishing gear. By making conscious choices, such as eliminating single-use plastics and supporting sustainable fishing practices, individuals can play a crucial role in protecting marine life from the deadly effects of abandoned fishing gear.
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Plastic pollution affects land animals
Plastic pollution has had a devastating impact on wildlife, including land animals. While it is difficult to know the exact number of animals killed by plastic pollution, it is safe to say that the numbers are rising.
Plastic waste in landfills can leech into the soil and nearby water sources. Microplastics, which are plastic particles less than five millimetres in size, have been found to contaminate soil and water ecosystems. A 2020 study found that microplastics in the soil led to a decrease in species living below the surface, such as mites, larvae, and other tiny creatures. The decline of these species results in less fertile soil, and the chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the groundwater that many species rely on.
Land animals, just like marine animals, can suffer intestinal blockages and damage when they ingest plastic, which is often fatal. There have been many reported cases of land mammals, including elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle, accidentally consuming plastic waste. In one instance, a wild elephant in India died from ingesting plastic, which blocked its intestines and caused internal bleeding and organ failure.
Plastics dumped in unprotected wild land put wild animals in danger of becoming trapped in or accidentally consuming toxic materials. This can lead to intestinal blockages, strangulation, choking, and starvation. Even if the plastic is removed, deep cuts can become infected or attract predators.
The impact of plastic pollution on land animals is widespread and detrimental, affecting their health and populations. It is important to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic to minimise its impact on the environment and wildlife.
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Plastic pollution and warming cause animal extinction
Plastic pollution and global warming are two of the most pressing issues facing our planet, and both are major contributors to the ongoing mass extinction of animal species. While it is challenging to determine the exact percentage of animals dying from pollution, the combined impacts of plastic pollution and warming are undeniably driving many species to the brink of extinction.
Plastic Pollution:
Plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, with about 8 to 10 million tons of plastic entering the oceans annually. This includes single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and soda can rings, as well as abandoned fishing gear. Marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, and sea birds, are particularly vulnerable to plastic entanglement and ingestion. For example, a juvenile sperm whale washed up on a Spanish beach in 2018 with nearly 30 kilograms of plastic in its digestive tract. According to Ocean Crusaders, plastic kills approximately 1 million seabirds each year, and plastic entanglement alone kills 100,000 marine animals.
Land animals are also severely affected by plastic pollution. For instance, half of Arabian camels die annually from ingesting plastic bags, mistaking them for food. In 2018, a wild elephant in India died from ingesting plastic waste, and eight African elephants suffered the same fate in 2016. Microplastics are another significant concern, contaminating the food we grow and leeching into soil and water sources, impacting terrestrial species and the biodiversity of the soil.
Global Warming:
Global warming, primarily driven by increasing greenhouse gas emissions, is another critical factor in animal extinction. The average global temperature has risen by 1 degree Celsius since pre-industrial levels, and species extinction rates are accelerating. According to the United Nations, a 2-degree Celsius warming could put 5% of species at risk of extinction, rising to 16% at 4.3 degrees Celsius warming. This warming has already profoundly impacted terrestrial species ranges, with projections indicating a 3-10% decrease in ocean net primary production and a 3-25% decrease in fish biomass by the end of the century.
Combined Impacts:
The combined effects of plastic pollution and global warming are exacerbating the extinction crisis. While plastic pollution directly kills and injures animals, it also contributes to habitat degradation, which interacts with the effects of warming. For example, land degradation has reduced the productivity of 23% of the global land surface, and coastal habitat loss has increased the vulnerability of human populations to extreme weather events. Additionally, warming oceans and rising sea levels impact marine species, with marine fish stocks already feeling the strain of overfishing and pollution.
In conclusion, while plastic pollution and global warming are distinct issues, their combined impacts are devastating for animal species. The loss of biodiversity is a direct result of human activity, and addressing these issues through reduced plastic use, recycling, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to mitigate the ongoing extinction crisis.
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Plastic microbeads cause cancer in animals
It is challenging to determine the exact percentage of animals that die from pollution, but it is evident that pollution is causing the deaths of millions of animals annually. Plastic pollution, in particular, is a significant contributor to this issue, with plastic entanglement and ingestion being the leading causes of death for marine animals.
Plastic microbeads, which are commonly found in personal care products, are a specific type of plastic pollution that has been linked to cancer in animals. These microbeads are ingested by fish and other aquatic organisms, accumulating in their flesh and leading to contamination. Researchers have confirmed that chemical pollutants adhere to these microbeads, which then pass into the food chain. As a result, apex predators like killer whales and humans are exposed to high levels of contamination.
The impact of plastic microbeads on the environment is not limited to aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics have been detected in the soil, air, and even the water we drink, posing a direct threat to humans and animals alike. Ingested microplastics can cause physical damage to organs and release hazardous chemicals, including hormone-disrupting substances like bisphenol A (BPA) and pesticides. These chemicals can compromise immune function, impair growth and reproduction, and even lead to cancer.
In the 1950s, researchers observed that wrapping the kidneys of rats with cellophane to induce high blood pressure inadvertently caused cancerous growths around the cellophane. Similarly, when different plastics were inserted under the skin of rodents, they produced malignant tumors. More recently, scientists have found signs of physical damage, such as inflammation, in various organisms caused by microplastics rubbing and jabbing against organ walls.
While it is challenging to determine the exact level of plastic exposure that is toxic to animals, it is clear that reducing plastic use and exposure is crucial for the health of humans, animals, and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution affects animals in a variety of ways. Animals can become entangled in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing gear, which can choke or trap them, making it difficult to find food, shelter, or swim to the surface for air. Plastic can also be ingested, causing blockages in digestive systems, infections, and even death. Additionally, toxins from plastics can accumulate in animals' bodies, leading to various health issues.
Marine animals, including fish, seabirds, cetaceans, turtles, and sea lions, are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. Seabirds, such as albatrosses, often mistake plastic for food, leading to obstructions in their digestive tracts. Marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, can also unintentionally ingest large amounts of plastic, which can cause suffering and death.
Reducing plastic usage, especially single-use and disposable plastics, is crucial. Recycling and properly disposing of plastics are also important. Additionally, volunteering for cleanup efforts in parks, beaches, or wetlands can help remove plastic pollution from animal habitats. These collective efforts can make a significant difference in reducing the percentage of animal deaths caused by plastic pollution.
