Ocean Pollution: Victims And Their Plight

Ocean pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. Oceans account for 70% of the Earth's surface and are integral to the health of our ecosystem, including marine life and land-dwelling animals like humans. The consequences of ocean pollution are far-reaching, with negative impacts on both human health and marine ecosystems. It is caused primarily by human activities, with over 80% of ocean pollution originating from land-based sources. This includes runoff from farms, construction sites, and roads, as well as intentional discharge of toxic waste and sewage by manufacturing plants and ships. The effects of ocean pollution are devastating, with marine animals suffering entanglement, ingestion, and suffocation from plastic waste and oil spills. Additionally, pollutants in the ocean make their way back to humans through the consumption of contaminated seafood, leading to long-term health conditions, cancer, and birth defects. Addressing ocean pollution requires global collective action, including reductions in plastic production, improved waste management, and the adoption of renewable energy sources.

Coastal communities

In addition to mercury, coastal communities are also at risk of ingesting microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles that have broken down from larger plastic waste. These microplastics can absorb a range of chemicals floating in the marine environment, including pesticides and toxic metals. The risks of microplastics to marine and human health are still largely unknown, but they have been found in seafood and can potentially harm human health.

Coastal pollution also contributes to the increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs), which produce toxins associated with dementia, amnesia, neurological damage, and rapid death. These HABs occur when toxin-producing algae grow excessively due to industrial waste, agricultural runoff, pesticides, and human sewage in coastal waters.

The impact of ocean pollution on coastal communities is exacerbated in low- and middle-income countries, where pollution is most highly concentrated along the coasts. These communities often have limited capacities and infrastructure to properly manage plastic products and waste, and they bear the brunt of the health, economic, and ecological consequences of ocean pollution.

Small island nations

The ocean is a critical component of the global climate system, absorbing carbon dioxide emissions and heat generated from global warming. However, the increased absorption of carbon dioxide has turned the ocean more acidic, dissolving corals and shellfish and altering critical marine habitats. Rising sea temperatures also threaten to make some small islands uninhabitable.

Small island developing states (SIDS) are highly dependent on marine resources for food and income, and their tourism businesses rely on vibrant ocean habitats. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, 33 SIDS joined the $515 million USD Global Environment Facility initiative to manage hazardous chemicals and waste. The initiative aims to prevent the release of over 23,000 metric tons of toxic chemicals and more than 185,000 metric tons of marine litter in island states within five years.

In addition to local efforts, small island nations are also taking high-emitting countries to court, demanding accountability for the pollution of the marine environment. They argue that greenhouse gas emissions absorbed by the ocean should be considered pollution and that emitting countries have a responsibility to reduce emissions and protect marine environments.

The vulnerability of small island nations to ocean pollution underscores the interconnectedness of global environmental challenges and the need for collaborative solutions to safeguard the planet for future generations.

Indigenous populations

Indigenous communities, especially those in the Arctic, are affected by climate change impacts that threaten infrastructure, food sources, and cultural practices. For instance, the Iñupiat in Alaska are facing threats to their food security due to the effects of climate change on their traditional food storage methods. Similarly, the Isle de Jean Charles Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw tribe in Louisiana has lost 98% of its land mass due to erosion from severe storms, sea level rise, and development, impacting their culture, livelihoods, traditional foods, and sacred places.

Indigenous Peoples' health is also disproportionately impacted by ocean pollution. They suffer from higher rates of certain medical conditions than the general population, including asthma, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and dementia. These conditions put them at greater risk of illness and injury as the climate changes. Additionally, institutional barriers and limited access to essential services such as transportation, drinking water, sanitation, disaster response, and healthcare, further increase their vulnerability to the health impacts of ocean pollution.

The contamination of seafood with toxins such as mercury, microplastics, and harmful algal blooms poses a significant risk to Indigenous communities who consume traditional foods such as fish and wildlife. The consumption of mercury-contaminated fish has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and dementia in adults and developmental issues and behavioural problems in children. Microplastics, which are ingested by marine life, can also have harmful effects on human health, although the extent of these risks is not yet fully understood.

Furthermore, Indigenous Peoples' connection to the land and water means that they are more likely to be exposed to pollutants. The siting of polluting infrastructures, such as mines and pipelines, in their communities, as well as the poor quality of water accessible to them, contributes to their disproportionate exposure to pollution. For example, in Canada, 20% of all drinking water advisories are in Indigenous communities, who only make up 5% of the country's population.

Indigenous Peoples are taking action to address ocean pollution and mitigate its impacts. They are developing innovative strategies to limit pollution, prevent its occurrence, and hold polluters accountable. This includes protests, cultural resistance camps, calls for policy action, occupation of resource infrastructures, and litigation. By advocating for change and contributing to environmental governance, Indigenous Peoples are working to protect their health, culture, and the planet.

People in the High Arctic

The traditional diet of indigenous people in the High Arctic includes large predators such as polar bears, seals, and whales. These animals are at the top of the food chain and store high levels of toxins in their fatty tissue and organs. When indigenous communities consume these animals, they are exposed to various contaminants, which can affect human development, reproduction, hormone function, and weaken the immune system. Research has found that the Inuit of Canada and Greenland, who hunt polar bears, have higher levels of contaminants in their blood and breast milk than people from southern regions.

In addition to chemical pollution, plastic pollution is also a significant issue in the High Arctic. The Arctic Ocean is affected by plastic litter, including discarded fishing gear, household litter, food wrapping, and bottles originating from Europe and across the Atlantic. Microplastics, which are pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size, are of particular concern as they can be easily consumed or inhaled by sea creatures, entering the food chain. The presence of microplastics in the Arctic has been increasing, with studies finding high concentrations in Arctic sea ice. The impact of consuming fish containing microplastics on human health is still not fully understood, and further research is needed.

The effects of ocean pollution on the High Arctic are complex and far-reaching. The combination of chemical and plastic pollution, along with other anthropogenic pressures such as fishing and climate change, poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of indigenous communities in the region. Addressing these issues requires a multidisciplinary approach, including scientific research, policy changes, and international cooperation to reduce pollution and promote sustainable practices in the Arctic region.

Pregnant women

Ocean pollution is a complex mixture of mercury, plastic waste, manufactured chemicals, petroleum wastes, agricultural runoff, and biological threats, like harmful algal blooms. People are exposed to these toxins mainly by eating contaminated seafood.

In addition, exposure to air pollution throughout pregnancy may be particularly important for children's long-term health. Changes in biological markers, such as DNA methylation and telomere length, may contribute to the relationship between exposure to air pollution and illnesses associated with it. Air pollution may also indirectly harm lung development by causing low birth weight, early birth, or improper immune system development.

Furthermore, the effects of ocean pollution on pregnant women can also be seen in the increased risk of obstetric issues and adverse consequences for the unborn child if the mother smokes or uses tobacco.

Overall, ocean pollution poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of pregnant women and their unborn children.

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