Current research shows that by 2030 - just over 5 years from today, there will be more plastic in our water - by volume - than fish. Perhaps the manufacturers of this entirely unnecessary new product don't have children of their own, so the environment they are destined to inhabit isn't really a priority - but as people who presumably fish, shouldn't it be a concern? Plastic production is a major contributor to pollution and climate change: Greenhouse gas emissions The production, use, and disposal of plastic creates greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming: Fossil fuel extraction: Extracting and transporting fossil fuels to plastic factories emits greenhouse gases. Manufacturing: The manufacturing process releases toxic chemicals into the air and water. Disposal: The disposal of plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Health risks The production and disposal of plastic releases harmful chemicals into the air, water, and soil: Workers and nearby communities: Workers and nearby communities are at a higher risk for health issues such as heart disease, cancer, reduced fertility, and lung diseases. Marine life: Ocean wildlife can mistake plastic waste for food and ingest it, which can lead to death. Environmental injustices Plastic pollution disproportionately affects communities near production sites, particularly in low-income areas. Threat to marine environment Plastic pollution puts marine species at higher risk of ingesting plastic, suffocating, or becoming entangled in plastic pollution. To help reduce plastic pollution, you can: Cut down on the use of plastics Carry your own bags when shopping Recycle all your plastics Keep plastic away from the landfill and away from the ocean
Current research shows that by 2030 - just over 5 years from today, there will be more plastic in our water - by volume - than fish. Perhaps the manufacturers of this entirely unnecessary new product don't have children of their own, so the environment they are destined to inhabit isn't really a priority - but as people who presumably fish, shouldn't it be a concern? Plastic production is a major contributor to pollution and climate change:
Greenhouse gas emissions
The production, use, and disposal of plastic creates greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming:
Fossil fuel extraction: Extracting and transporting fossil fuels to plastic factories emits greenhouse gases.
Manufacturing: The manufacturing process releases toxic chemicals into the air and water.
Disposal: The disposal of plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Health risks
The production and disposal of plastic releases harmful chemicals into the air, water, and soil:
Workers and nearby communities: Workers and nearby communities are at a higher risk for health issues such as heart disease, cancer, reduced fertility, and lung diseases.
Marine life: Ocean wildlife can mistake plastic waste for food and ingest it, which can lead to death.
Environmental injustices
Plastic pollution disproportionately affects communities near production sites, particularly in low-income areas.
Threat to marine environment
Plastic pollution puts marine species at higher risk of ingesting plastic, suffocating, or becoming entangled in plastic pollution.
To help reduce plastic pollution, you can:
Cut down on the use of plastics
Carry your own bags when shopping
Recycle all your plastics
Keep plastic away from the landfill and away from the ocean