Three-quarters of the world consists of oceans. So, how much do we humans own the oceans?
Three-fifths of all plastics produced until 2015 turned into waste and were not recycled. Most of the wastes have mixed with the oceans and have begun to end the normal life in the oceans. Research shows that 90 to 140 metric tons of waste have accumulated in the seas and oceans.
According to current studies, it is thought that there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans in the next 50-60 years. Even though most of the waste sources are unclear, 60 to 90 percent of the pollution is single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws, cups, etc. Most single-use plastics pollute water supplies. Only 400 to 950 million wastes enter the oceans annually from Europe. Twenty-two percent of marine litter is caused by the sector consisting of fishers who earn their living from the sea. They damage the natural resources they make by throwing plastic at them.
A Global Forum was organized at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, providing an opportunity for non-governmental organizations. With the Global Forum, World Ocean Day is declared, and it is aimed to raise awareness for the protection of natural water resources. World Oceans Day will take place in a hybrid model this year. Conferences and events will be held at the United Nations Headquarters. At the same time, many events and conferences will be organized in the virtual environment.
What is meant by reanimation?
Re-enactment has been determined as the main topic of World Ocean Day, which is being held this year. It is desirable to organize a collective action plan for the oceans. Therefore, it is desired to raise awareness for the revival and protection of the ocean ecosystem, coral colonies, and the creatures that feed on the oceans. It has been determined that the only solution to the continuation of life in the oceans is to abandon or completely minimize plastic use.
What are the Negative Effects of Plastics in the Oceans on Living Things?
Plastics or disposable nets cause sea creatures to be injured, immobilized, and suffocated. These nets cling to coral colonies and cause them to die.
For example, 80% of the coral colonies in Hawaii and 20% of the sponge colonies in the northern seas have disappeared or continue to disappear due to plastic alone. Every member of the food chain living in the oceans or seas is injured by swallowing this plastic waste. The reproduction and growth of ordinary living things in the oceans and seas are adversely affected and endangered due to destruction. For example, Nine-tenths of seabirds and five-tenths of turtles die because of feeding on plastic. Therefore, their reproduction is inhibited, and their species are extinct.
For example, According to a study by KURENAI (Kyoto University Research Information Repository), it was determined that a whale shark died in Thailand as a result of swallowing just a plastic straw.
How Is Humanity Affected by Pollution of the Oceans?
The average person ingests between 40 and 50,000 microplastics per year.
Microplastics break down in the oceans and enter the atmosphere as dust. At the same time, waste particles reaching the size of 0.1 cm, emitted from garbage collection facilities or factories, are mixed into the atmosphere. It causes health problems by being swallowed by humans and other living things. Many diseases occur and continue to occur throughout humanity due to carcinogens. Plastics, which can be seen with an invisible optical microscope, pose a significant danger to society and other living things. For example, Pieces of microplastic have been found in snowflakes falling in Siberia.
Authors:
Buğçe Ağca
Çağın Ergün
Source:
Yorumlar