Let’s Save the Ocean

Let’s Save the Ocean

Activity 2. Ocean pollution comparisons

 

You are already aware of the main pollutants in the oceans and seas. You are about to make a critical analysis of ocean pollution by comparing data from charts and maps and exploring different perspectives on this problem.

Before proceeding, read the summary information in facts:

  1. More than 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year

Every year we generate more than 380 million tonnes of plastic waste and 8 million tonnes of it ends up in the ocean. That is the same amount as the weight of 2 million elephants combined.

  1. Three billion people worldwide regularly consume fish

About half of the world’s population eats fish regularly. When fish eat plastic waste, we are also eating food that is contaminated. We do not yet know to what extent plastic consumption can harm the human body.

  1. Marine animals accidentally eat plastic waste

Plastic debris floating in the water can look like food for marine animals. 33% of fish have consumed plastic, which is chemical and toxic and poses a threat to their health and lives.

  1. Plastic waste traps animals

Plastic litter in the ocean can easily trap a variety of marine life. Unlike us, they don’t have hands to untangle themselves from fishing nets or plastic packaging, which prevents them from feeding and swimming freely, and often causes animals entangled in them to drown.

  1. Plastic breaks down into microplastics

When plastic decomposes, it breaks down into smaller pieces called microplastics. Although we can easily pick up plastic litter strewn along the coast to reduce pollution, it is almost impossible to get rid of microplastics as they are so small that they cannot be seen by the human eye. Yet, despite its size, it is just as harmful as other plastics.

  1. Plastic pollution in the oceans will triple by 2040.

Scientists estimate that plastic pollution in the oceans will triple by 2040 if we continue to produce and discard plastic at the current rate.  However, if we take action to reduce plastic waste and start investing in new, more sustainable solutions, the amount of plastic could be reduced by 80%!

  1. Plastic waste will never disappear

Okay, that’s not quite accurate. Plastic may eventually disappear, but the degradation process takes at least 450 years! That is why we need to take action now and stop polluting the environment and especially the waters of the world’s oceans.

 

An example of such action is World Oceans Day, which has been celebrated annually on 8 June since 2009.  The initiative to celebrate it was taken by the United Nations during a conference on environment and development in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. The aim is to raise awareness among citizens around the world of the importance of the oceans to life on the planet and to draw attention to solving pressing problems by encouraging active action to protect the marine environment.

Source: https://depositphotos.com/similar-vectors/379015844.html?qview=656375302

 

Proceed with the tasks:

 

  1. Which countries produce the most plastic waste?

Study the data in the diagram. It shows the biggest producers of plastic waste. The orange column shows the total amount of plastic waste produced, and the dark red column shows the amount of waste produced per resident. Answer the questions:

  • Which three countries produce the largest total amount of plastic waste?
  • Which country produces the most plastic waste per capita?
  • Does India or China produce more plastic waste per capita?

Source: https://theroundup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Plastic-Waste-Generation-by-Country.png

 

  1. How much plastic is produced annually in the world?

Study the diagram. It shows the total amount of plastic produced in the world in recent years. According to the data in the chart, answer the questions.

  • What is the trend in total waste generated between 2016 and 2019?
  • In which year was the largest amount of plastic produced?
  • Find a situation where there is a slight decrease in plastic production due to the global COVID pandemic. By what amount?
  • In which years was the largest increase in plastics production recorded?

Source: https://theroundup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Total-Annual-Global-Plastic-Production-Graph.png

 

  1. Which countries recycle the most plastic?

Study the diagram. It shows how much of the plastic produced in a country is recycled. The figures are percentages. Answer the questions:

  • Which country recycles the largest share of plastics produced?
  • In which two countries is the share of recycled plastics the same?
  • Netherlands or Norway recycle more plastic?
  • What is the average recycling rate of plastics produced worldwide?

Source: https://theroundup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Countries-Plastic-Waste-Recycling-Rate.png

 

  1. Which oceans are most affected by plastic pollution?

The map shows the amount of plastic waste found in each ocean. The figures are staggering. Answer the questions:

  • Which ocean is most affected?
  • How many pieces of plastic are there in total in the world’s ocean?

Source: https://theroundup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/plastic-pollution-in-our-oceans.png