Helena Joyce
Ocean pollution is a pressing environmental issue that poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of our planet. With oceans accounting for 70% of the Earth's surface and playing a pivotal role in the health of our ecosystem, it is essential that we address the issue of ocean pollution. Billions of pounds of trash and pollutants enter our oceans each year, including plastic, oil, and chemical contaminants. This pollution has devastating consequences for marine life and human health, with animals becoming entangled in or ingesting plastic, and toxins making their way up the food chain to humans. To combat this issue, individuals can make small changes such as reducing plastic consumption, disposing of waste properly, and volunteering for beach cleanups. Additionally, organizations like The Ocean Cleanup are developing technologies to remove plastic from the oceans, and governments are implementing regulations to reduce ocean dumping. It is crucial that we take action to protect our oceans and mitigate the impacts of ocean pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reduce plastic usage | Refuse single-use plastics, use reusable alternatives, support legislation to reduce plastic production |
| Proper waste disposal | Dispose of herbicides, pesticides, and cleaning products properly, recycle single-use plastics |
| Reduce water usage | Prevent excess runoff and wastewater from flowing into the ocean |
| Sustainable seafood | Choose sustainable seafood, follow "catch and release" practices |
| Energy efficiency | Use fuel-efficient vehicles, choose energy-efficient light bulbs |
| Ocean clean-up technologies | The Ocean Cleanup aims to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040 using river interception and ocean cleanup systems |
| Regulation and management | EPA's Ocean Dumping Management Program, implementation of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) |
| Education and awareness | Spread awareness about the impacts of ocean pollution, support local, national, and international legislation to reduce plastic pollution |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce single-use plastic consumption
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health, with plastics accounting for at least 85% of all marine waste. Single-use plastic products (SUPPs) are a major contributor to this pollution due to their production, distribution, and litter. Here are some ways to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics:
Refuse single-use plastics and choose reusable alternatives: Say no to plastic straws, bags, takeout utensils, and containers. Instead, carry reusable versions of these products, such as reusable grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, coffee cups, and dry cleaning garment bags. Refuse single-use plastic bags and packaging to drive businesses to offer better alternatives.
Support legislation and local initiatives: Advocate for and support legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable for their waste. Support local restaurants and businesses that have ditched single-use plastics. Participate in local clean-up initiatives and volunteer for beach and community clean-ups.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle: Cut down on your overall consumption, and when you do use single-use plastics, recycle them properly. However, it's important to note that recycling alone cannot solve the plastics crisis. Avoid single-use plastics that are difficult to recycle, such as small items that can fall into the crevices of recycling machinery. Choose products with efficient recycling and end-of-life considerations, and support sustainable production methods that use renewable energy and recycled materials.
Make sustainable choices: Cook more often and store leftovers in reusable containers to reduce your reliance on takeout containers. Buy in bulk and avoid individually packaged goods. Shop at zero-waste stores and bring your own containers. Choose paper or foil to wrap leftovers instead of plastic boxes.
Be mindful of microplastics: Advocate for restrictions on products containing intentionally added microplastics. Be cautious of "chemical recycling," which often involves incineration and can be misleading in terms of its environmental impact.
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Support organisations tackling ocean plastic
There are numerous organisations working to tackle ocean plastic pollution, and they can always use support. Here are some ways to support organisations that are tackling ocean plastic:
The Ocean Cleanup
The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organisation aiming to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040. They are developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic and have been researching, extracting, and monitoring plastic pollution in oceans and rivers globally for over ten years. They have removed tens of millions of kilograms of plastic to date. You can support The Ocean Cleanup by subscribing to their mailing list, donating, or joining their international team.
Seabin
Seabin is a clean-tech startup that has developed an innovative solution to tackle waterway pollution. Their maritime trashcan filters plastic debris from the water using an electric underwater pumping system, processing up to 55,000 litres per hour. It has been installed in marinas and harbours across Australia, including Sydney Harbour, where it has collected over 120 tonnes of marine litter. The Seabin Foundation was established to tackle maritime plastic litter through research, and they created the world's first portable ocean health data lab in Sydney.
Sungai Watch
Sungai Watch is a non-profit organisation in Indonesia that tackles waterway pollution by installing trash barriers to catch plastic debris on the water's surface. They have 270 floating barriers installed across Indonesia's rivers and have collected over 2,150,000 kg of plastic and cleaned 360 rivers. Sungai Watch also contributes to a circular economy by creating sustainable design pieces from recycled materials.
Plastic Fischer
Plastic Fischer is a Germany-based social enterprise that deploys TrashBooms in rivers worldwide to capture plastic. Their clean-up technology is locally built, low-tech, and low-cost, making clean rivers accessible to many locations. They offer three different types of cleaning technologies, including a regular TrashBoom and a Walkable TrashBoom for hard-to-access places.
In addition to supporting these organisations, individuals can also take action to reduce their plastic consumption and properly dispose of or recycle plastics. This includes refusing single-use plastics, using reusable alternatives, and supporting legislation that reduces plastic production and improves waste management.
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Advocate for better waste management
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health. Between 4 and 12 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, impacting sea turtles, whales, seabirds, fish, coral reefs, and countless other marine species and habitats.
To address this issue, it is crucial to advocate for better waste management practices. This involves implementing strategies to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling processes. Here are some ways to advocate for better waste management:
Reduce Plastic Consumption:
Encourage individuals and businesses to minimize their use of single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws, takeout containers, and bottles. Promote the use of reusable alternatives, like grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, and coffee cups. Help businesses by expressing your support for offering sustainable options.
Improve Recycling Practices:
Currently, only 9% of plastic is recycled worldwide. Advocate for increased recycling infrastructure and educate communities about proper recycling methods. Encourage individuals to recycle single-use plastics and support local recycling initiatives.
Support Legislative Action:
Push for legislation that reduces plastic production and holds plastic producers accountable for their waste. Support bills and policies that ban or tax unnecessary single-use plastic items. Get involved with local, national, and international organizations working to enact plastic pollution treaties and regulations.
Educate Communities:
Spread awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution and the importance of proper waste management. Educate communities about recycling practices, responsible consumption, and the environmental consequences of plastic waste.
Participate in Cleanups:
Organize or join beach cleanups and waterway cleanups to remove plastic waste from coastal areas. Collaborate with local organizations or participate in international events like the Global Ocean Cleanup or the International Coastal Cleanup.
By advocating for better waste management, we can significantly reduce the amount of plastic entering our oceans and improve the health of marine ecosystems. It is important to combine individual behaviour changes with legislative action to create a long-lasting impact.
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Choose sustainable seafood
Choosing sustainable seafood is a direct way to help reduce ocean pollution. The seafood industry is in trouble, with inadequate fisheries laws, poor enforcement, and complex supply chains leading to illegal fishing and overfishing. This has resulted in only 66% of wild marine fish stocks being considered biologically sustainable.
Firstly, it is important to understand what sustainable seafood means. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) believes there is no such thing as a sustainable species, only sustainable stocks. They offer MSC-certified products with a blue fish label, indicating that the seafood comes from fisheries pioneering new ways to conserve the marine environment. These fisheries are well-managed and have found new ways to protect the ocean.
When shopping for seafood, look for the MSC blue fish label. You can also refer to food writer Nick Wyke's guides to sustainable seafood, or the NRDC's Smart Seafood and Sustainable Fish Buying Guide. These guides can help you make environmentally conscious choices and support ocean health.
Imported seafood is another issue, as some overseas fish farms expose their fish to dangerous antibiotics and chemicals that are banned in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only inspects about 2% of imported seafood, so it is important to be mindful of where your seafood is sourced.
Finally, Americans tend to opt for the same five types of seafood: shrimp, salmon, canned tuna, tilapia, and pollock. By diversifying our choices, we can reduce the pressure on these popular species and help curb overfishing.
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Cut down on chemical fertilisers
While chemical fertilisers are essential for crop growth, providing nitrogen and phosphorus, they can have detrimental effects on the ocean when overused. Excess nutrients from fertilisers can be washed away from farm fields and into waterways, leading to eutrophication of water bodies. This process stimulates the growth of algae, which can produce harmful toxins and lead to the death of aquatic life. It can also cause "dead zones", where normal marine life can no longer survive.
To address this issue, it is crucial to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and improve nutrient management practices. Farmers can play a leadership role by engaging with relevant organisations and implementing improved fertilising techniques. This includes applying the right amount of fertiliser at the appropriate time of year and using the correct method. Such counteractive measures have been successful in significantly reducing nutrient input in some regions.
Additionally, individuals can support legislation that encourages sustainable agricultural practices and holds fertiliser producers accountable for their environmental impact. This may include advocating for laws that reduce chemical fertiliser production, improve waste management, and promote organic alternatives. Supporting local and international organisations working towards these goals can also help amplify these efforts.
Beyond legislative action, individuals can make conscious choices to minimise their contribution to ocean pollution. This includes reducing personal waste, properly disposing of chemicals and herbicides, choosing sustainable seafood, and supporting businesses that adopt eco-friendly practices. By combining individual behavioural changes with systemic legislative efforts, we can collectively strive for a healthier ocean ecosystem.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health. Plastic accumulating in our oceans has become a global crisis, with a direct and deadly effect on wildlife.
Marine animals often mistake small plastic debris for food or become entangled in discarded plastic bags and fishing nets. Thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals are killed each year due to plastic ingestion or entanglement.
Individuals can play a crucial role in reducing ocean pollution by refusing single-use plastics and opting for reusable alternatives. This includes items such as grocery bags, bottles, utensils, and straws. Additionally, individuals can choose organic fertilizers, reduce water usage, and support organizations dedicated to ocean cleanup efforts.
The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization that aims to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040 through advanced technologies and river interception methods. They focus on intercepting plastic in rivers and cleaning up accumulated ocean plastic.
