A clear problem with a clear solution
‘Plastic is a substance the earth cannot digest’.
So why are we adding more of it to the earth if it cannot be broken down? Most people saw the pictures of the floating plastic waste island on David Attenborough's documentary and were horrified. Over half of land-based plastic waste leakage comes from China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Two-thirds of it comes straight from land-based sources, such as litter being left on the beach or washed down rivers and drains as well as litter being dropped in towns and cities. In the UK we still produce more than 68,000 tons of plastic litter each year.
The problems that plastic pollution cause can be crucial to us, animals and the environment. For wildlife such as fish, dolphins, seabirds and seals it can be deadly as they become entangled or mistake rubbish for food. For humans, plastic pollution (specifically in the ocean) is dangerous when consuming seafood. As a fish is swimming around in the ocean it might come across small pieces of plastic, which gives off an odour that to sea creatures makes it smell like food, and they then eat this. When we cook and eat the fish it still contains these toxins.
Plastic pollution is catastrophic for the planet and it is crucial to future generations that action is taken against it. What's so confusing is that nobody is listening to the warnings. It’s so easy to do little things to help. For example, say no to plastic straws, bring reusable bags to shopping trips to avoid buying plastic bags and bring your own reusable coffee cup when going out to get a drink.
Think twice before buying something wrapped in plastic or made of plastic. If you see plastic rubbish flying around, pick it up and put it in the bin and that could be your good deed for the day.
Evie Adams, Year 9
So why are we adding more of it to the earth if it cannot be broken down? Most people saw the pictures of the floating plastic waste island on David Attenborough's documentary and were horrified. Over half of land-based plastic waste leakage comes from China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Two-thirds of it comes straight from land-based sources, such as litter being left on the beach or washed down rivers and drains as well as litter being dropped in towns and cities. In the UK we still produce more than 68,000 tons of plastic litter each year.
The problems that plastic pollution cause can be crucial to us, animals and the environment. For wildlife such as fish, dolphins, seabirds and seals it can be deadly as they become entangled or mistake rubbish for food. For humans, plastic pollution (specifically in the ocean) is dangerous when consuming seafood. As a fish is swimming around in the ocean it might come across small pieces of plastic, which gives off an odour that to sea creatures makes it smell like food, and they then eat this. When we cook and eat the fish it still contains these toxins.
Plastic pollution is catastrophic for the planet and it is crucial to future generations that action is taken against it. What's so confusing is that nobody is listening to the warnings. It’s so easy to do little things to help. For example, say no to plastic straws, bring reusable bags to shopping trips to avoid buying plastic bags and bring your own reusable coffee cup when going out to get a drink.
Think twice before buying something wrapped in plastic or made of plastic. If you see plastic rubbish flying around, pick it up and put it in the bin and that could be your good deed for the day.
Evie Adams, Year 9