By Molly Nelson '22
Eight million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean every year. This statistic only begins to illuminate the effect plastic has on our beloved wildlife. Unfortunately, the great deal of plastic that enters our oceans leads to so many animals dying and becoming injured. Although this problem greatly affects wildlife, it is one that people have full control over. It is crucial that we make a change now to fix this awful problem.
Due to the large amount of plastic in our oceans, many animals consume plastic as they believe it is food. These animals think they are full from eating the plastic, and unfortunately many of them starve and die. Others choke on the plastic. Tragically, approximately sixty percent of seabird species have eaten plastic, and more than half of the sea turtles in the ocean have consumed plastic. Many dead animals such as whales and seabirds are found to have stomachs filled with plastic. As plastic production will continue to increase over time, the number of animals that suffer from plastic will also increase.
Fortunately, many companies are aiming to become part of this change. Abeego, for example, has created a reusable and plastic-free solution to the popular plastic wrap. When the time eventually comes to dispose of the wrap, it is completely compostable. Another company working towards eliminating the presence of plastic in the oceans is Stasher. Stasher offers a great alternative to single-use plastic bags. As consumers, we can become more knowledgeable about the environmental efforts of brands and companies, and choose to support those that are working to make positive change. With more companies taking action to reduce single-use plastic, we are bound to see a decrease in the amount of plastic in the ocean.
There are also many ways in which we as individuals can work to reduce the amount of plastic we use. Whether we are at a supermarket or a clothing store, we are frequently given a plastic bag when we checkout. To cut down on the number of plastic bags you use, you can reuse bags and bring them with you when you are shopping. You can also use them as trash bags. Not only would this help the environment, but it would also cost less because you no longer have to purchase trash bags from the store.
As a worldwide issue, many steps need to be taken in order to eliminate plastic in our oceans. Although there is not a simple and easy solution to greatly reduce this problem, it is one that is worth prioritizing as so many animals are harmed and dying every day. We can all work towards taking steps to a more eco-friendly lifestyle and spreading awareness on this issue. We cannot just rely on companies to solve this crisis; we must recognize that our individual actions, even if they feel small, can add up to very powerful change when aggregated together.
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Editors: Ms. Brilliant and Cecilia
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