Let's Stop Polluting the Oceans
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Plastics are Polluting Our Oceans
Did you know that fish are eating small plastic pellets in the water, thinking that it is food and are slowly dying as a result?
Plastics and other debris are devastating our oceans and sea life. On this page you will learn more about the extent of this problem, how it got that way, and how we can stop it.
While presenting to a group of 7th graders about the harmful effects of plastics, here is what one 12 year old boy said after hearing that plastic does not disintegrate.
"Do you mean that every piece of plastic I've ever used is still here?"
Can you imagine the amount of plastic used by someone who has lived 80 years, let alone 12? Now, I know plastics have been very, very good to us. We probably don't realize how many things we use every day that are made of the stuff. BUT, it is true that plastic never goes away!
So, what's the answer? Recycling is one, but then we have to think of lots of ways to remake the recycled plastic. I believe that we must start by reducing the amount of plastic we use, and recycling what we do use. And we need to create new materials that will biodegrade.
Image credit: Save Our Oceans Nautical Organic Baby Onesie Shirt by ecogreenbags at Zazzle
One Word: "Plastics"
Scene from the movie "The Graduate", Dustin Hoffman, 1967
Are Our Oceans Dumping Grounds?
You be the judge.
Photo from Greenpeace
An estimated 14 billion pounds of trash, much of it plastic, pollutes our oceans every year. Green Ocean Facts
Synthetic Sea
Video by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation
The Algalita Marine Research Foundation is dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its watersheds through research, education, and restoration.
Charles Moore is founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation. He captains the foundation's research vessel, the Alguita, documenting the great expanses of plastic waste that now pollute our oceans. He first discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch -- an endless floating waste of plastic trash. Now he's drawing attention to the growing, choking problem of plastic debris in our seas.
“Live like
you love
the ocean”
Wallace J Nichols, Ocean Researcher
The Problem Begins With Us
Wallace J. Nichols, ocean researcher, in a Huffington Post article, suggests ways to start reducing the use of plastics in our daily lives.
* See if you can go ONE day without using disposable plastic. If you can go a day, you can go a week.
* Once you've done that, challenge another person to do the same, and help each other by lending your reusable bag, sending reminders and encouragement, or gently applying peer pressure.
* Then add your voice to the growing chorus of thousands of communities, cities, workplaces, and schools who are striving to drastically reduce their waste streams. Or support one of the organizations listed on this page.
See Wallace J Nichols full article below.
- Wallace J Nichols: The Plastics "Out There" and "In Here"
- A huge percentage of our plastic problem could be addressed immediately, using simple, cost-effective, off-the-shelf technologies.
Could you Go One Day without using Plastic?
Learn More About Wallace J Nichols
and World Oceans Day
to World Oceans Day
Countdown to World Oceans Day
Organizations you should know about
... that work to save our oceans from pollution
The Ocean Channel - to find out about the latest research.Ocean Revolution was created so youth can evolve. It links young people from all over the world in a network of information sharing and mentoring and links environmental action to their computers.
Oceana - the largest international organization focused 100 percent on ocean conservation-in the fight for healthy oceans.
Ocean Champions - the only political voice for the oceans.
Ocean Conservancy - It's time to understand that going green starts with living blue. It's time to start a sea change. Won't you join us?
Ocean's Alive - The oceans are alive! Our planet, mostly covered by water, is filled with movement and life. Learn all about our global seas in Oceans ALIVE!
Your Thoughts on Ocean Pollution
Where do you think the main focus of our energies should be in terms of ocean pollution.
1. Reduce consumption, especially plastics.
mjtaylor says:
Much need lens! I don't see any reason why we can't do both ...
ernieplotter says:
we need education, lots of it, in order to reduce pollution. we need action, even more everyday so a real difference could be seen.
Andy says:
Stop population growth! It is the source of all our resource use and biodiversity conservation problems, and is the ultimate solution. There are currently 7 billion people and by 2050 we could hit 9 billion, there is speculation as to how many people can live comfortably on earth, but there are already too many.
Steve G says:
We talk about extinction of species but if we lose the oceans, we will become extinct.
sam says:
we should never pollute the ocean
2. Recycle more and create biodegradable options.
kimmanleyort says:
I definitely think that both are important, but should be led by recycling and design changes.
What are they saying on Twitter....
about plastics in the ocean?
Jeremy Jackson on TED
How We Wrecked the Ocean
Beth Terry of "My Plastic-Free Life"
Formerly "Fake Plastic Fish"
Beth Terry of Oakland, California has a great blog called "My Plastic-Free Life," about her journey to reduce her use of plastics. Some of the simplest ways are:
1. Carry reusable bags.
2. Carry a travel mug.
3. Stop drinking bottled water and sodas.
4. Buy in bulk.
5. Replace cleaners with vinegar and baking soda.
6. Download music rather than buying CD's.
Blogs and Websites about Reducing and Recycling plastics.
- Recycling Numbers on Plastics
- A guide to the numbers on the bottom of plastics. Generally, 1's and 2's can be easily recycled while 3's through 7's are harder and not as often recycled.
- Recycling Revolution - Turning old plastic bottles into valuable recycled materials.
- Article from Science Daily about how plastic is recycled.
- Beth Terry's My Plastic-Free Life Blog
- One woman's journey to live without plastic. One of the best blogs around.
- Life Without Plastic
- A web boutique offering alternatives to plastic. They are out there!
- A Day Without Plastic
- Ocean Revolution Blog
- Crafty Green Poet
- A blog about creative thinking and greener living.
- How do you reduce your use of plastics?
- A blog post on One Green Generation.
- Reduce plastic waste
- Tips and strategies to help the environment by cutting back on plastic in our everyday lives.
Check out this article
7 Misconceptions About Plastic and Plastic Recycling
from the Ecology Center.
News Posts from Google
about pollution in the oceans
- Local Victories to End Plastic Pollution and Protect our Oceans lead to Global ...
- An excellent example of local victories inspiring global action is the effort to stem the tide of plastic pollution that plagues our rivers, coasts, and oceans. Plastic that ends up as pollution in the ocean (sometimes known as "marine debris") has ...
- Making it Count: National Oceans Month and Rio+20
- By reducing our carbon pollution we can stop ocean acidification before it is too late. Plastic pollution is choking our oceans. Up to 80 percent of litter in the seas is plastic, which can take decades or longer to decay and in the meantime wreaks ...
- Callum Roberts: if seas are to survive, we need a New Deal for the Oceans
- His career has taken him round the world to study the planet's reefs, shoals and seabeds and his latest book, Ocean of Life, provides a detailed analysis of the woes that now beset these places: from plastic pollution to oil slicks; from melting ...
Great buys From Amazon
... for reducing or recycling plastics
Thank You for Visiting My Page on Plastic Pollution in our Oceans
How are you reducing your use of plastics?
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JaguarJulie Jun 1, 2012 @ 2:40 pm | delete
- I was watching the evening news a few nights ago and they showed the garbage washing ashore in California ... and talked about the floating garbage from the Tsunami. It is incredible to see this magnitude of pollution in our oceans.
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puja
Apr 19, 2012 @ 10:28 am | delete
- by using cloth bags only
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Runnn
Jun 14, 2011 @ 11:58 pm | delete
- I love the earth and I love your lense.
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Jerrad28
Jun 8, 2011 @ 9:43 am | delete
- Thanks for the informative lens, I will be more conscientious about the products I use and start cutting back
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OrganicMom247
Apr 25, 2011 @ 7:54 pm | delete
- Plastics are really dangerous to our fishes on the sea and in our environment. It's not only the oceans are polluted but also the rivers. So we need to be responsible in using them. We need to throw them at right places, or recycle them. Or if you can, do not use plastic anymore.
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About the Author
Related Pages
on plastics and ocean pollution
by kimmanleyort
Mother, wife and photographer who never stops learning. One thing I've learned is that plastics are wreaking havoc on our oceans and I want to bring attention... more »
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