Featured Image Credit: Meredith Fox Youtube Screenshot
Over the past couple years people have cut down on plastic consumption, as we have seen the effect plastic can have on the environment and our oceans. Although many people know that plastic cannot be absorbed back into the environment, many are unaware of the amount that still ends up in how oceans- and how harmful it can be. Not only is this bad for the environment, but the amount of plastic in the ocean continues to grow, affecting marine ecosystems as a whole and the wildlife that calls the ocean home.
We’ve seen it time and time again, seal pups playing with a plastic bag, a seahorse clinging to a q-tip, an octopus hanging on to plastic straws, this baby seal spotted with a knife in its mouth….the list goes on and on. And now, a tiny little heard of creatures sticking to a LIGHTER in South Padre Island.
Video Credit: Meredith Fox
The world is currently producing nearly 300 million tons of plastic each year. Unfortunately, although plastic is a useful product that can be used multiple times, many of these products are created for single-use. A significant amount of the world’s plastic will end up in the ocean, and the ingesting of plastic has life-threatening effects on wildlife.
A complete solution to the world’s plastic problem is likely not going to happen overnight, small changes can impact in large ways. Choosing to forgo straws lessens the plastic waste and protects wildlife. Switching to reusable bags while shopping – as single-use plastic bags are a large part of the problem. Getting involved in beach cleanups. There are so many ways we can make a difference.
If each person dedicated a little bit of time and attention to the plastic issue, the detrimental effects of plastic on the world could be lessened.