Why ocean pollution is bad

Here are some ocean pollution solutions that can make a big difference. Excess chemical fertilizer eventually makes its way into the oceans. Choose organic fertilizers, which tend to be lower in nutrients, and use them at half strength or half as often as suggested.

Throw-away plastic bottles and utensils, including straws, are massive ocean polluters. Rather than contributing to the threat to marine life, opt for reusable bottles and utensils. Organize a social distancing cleanup at the beach or a nearby park. The more trash you pick up and properly dispose of, the less waste goes into our oceans. In outdoor spaces, such as beaches and parks, dispose of trash in a secure receptacle or take it home with you.

To help encourage proper disposal, we recommend downloading our Waste Wizard App which allows you to input common waste items and see how to properly dispose of them.

With a few small changes to our daily routines, we can all do our part to help reduce the amount of pollution going into our oceans. Causes of Ocean Pollution There are many causes of ocean pollution. Here are some of the major causes of marine pollution: Nonpoint source pollution Runoff Nonpoint source pollution comes from a variety of different locations and sources. Intentional discharge Manufacturing plants in some areas of the world release toxic waste into the ocean, including mercury.

Oil spills Ships are major contributors to ocean pollution, especially when crude oil spills occur. Boucher, J. What is the issue?

Why is it important? What can be done? Over million tons of plastic are produced every year for use in a wide variety of applications. Marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe injuries and deaths.

Plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change. There is an urgent need to explore the use of existing legally binding international agreements to address marine plastic pollution. Recycling and reuse of plastic products, and support for research and innovation to develop new products to replace single-use plastics are also necessary to prevent and reduce plastic pollution.

Latest Issues Briefs. Marine heatwaves. Read more about Marine heatwaves. Post global biodiversity framework. Read more about Post global biodiversity framework. Plastic threatens the existence of life underwater right from smaller fishes to huge mammals and amphibians in several ways. Reports say that around one million seabirds and , marine mammals are killed every due to plastic ingestion. Unfortunately, several marine species are on the verge of extinction because of such type of ocean pollution.

Consumption of plastic by marine creatures causes severe digestive problems which go mainly untreated. Reports suggest that the consumption of plastic by all type of fish amounts to several tonnes every year.

In addition to causing intestinal injury and death of these fish, this also spread the risk across the food chain, to bigger fish and marine mammals. Sea turtles are the other unfortunate victims of plastic pollution in the waters, apart from fishes. Similar to fish and other marine beings, Sea turtles also consume plastic garbage as food, leading to a blockage in the gut and ulceration, and eventually to death. Studies have found that half of the sea turtles around the world have ingested plastic.

Like plastic bags or bottles or any other junk, the stray plastic nets used for fishing and plastic crates also cause oceanic ruination. These plastic wastes make harms to the marine life by choking life-forms or by getting tangled in precious reefs, causing them to break apart. Plastic waste in the oceans also threatens the life of birds and other beings that depend on the oceanic life-forms for their food requirements. Most of the times, these beings suffer because of ingestion of plastic or because of suffocation, especially birds, by merely being tricked by the brighter colours of plastic junk.

The birds also often get caught in the debris and end up dying due to suffocation. Plastic pollution in the seas affects human beings in different ways. In addition to the risks from polluted marine waters, ingestion of plastic by fish and other marine beings also in-turn causes harm to people who consume marine food. Plastic contains a lot of substances which might otherwise be hazardous.

When fishing activities are carried out, there is every chance that fishes infected with such harmful substances might find their way into our household, thereby causing health problems to the end consumers.

Studies have found that toxins in plastics cause several health issues including cancers, immune system problems, and birth defects. The amount of garbage in the seas also pollutes the oceanic waters, just like the plastic harm the marine life in several ways.

Dispensation of hazardous materials, including toxic substance such as Bisphenol A, which has been found commonly in many plastic commodities, pollutes the water badly. Wise governments have curbed other forms of pollution by deploying control strategies based on law, policy, technology, and targeted enforcement. They have saved thousands of lives. They have proven highly cost-effective. Countries around the world are now applying these same tools to control ocean pollution.

Some coral reefs have been restored, such as those in American Samoa , where vigilance, protection and quick response have happened in relation to various pollution threats.

These successes have boosted economies, increased tourism, restored fisheries, and improved health. They demonstrate that broad control of ocean pollution is feasible and their benefits will last for centuries.

Our study offers some clear recommendations for preventing and controlling ocean pollution, including transitioning to cleaner energy, developing affordable alternatives to fossil fuel-based plastics, reducing human, agricultural and industrial discharges, and expanding Marine Protected Areas.

Protecting the planet is a global concern and our collective responsibility. Leaders who recognise the gravity of ocean pollution, acknowledge its growing dangers, engage civil society, and take bold, evidence-based action to stop pollution at source will be essential for preventing ocean pollution and safeguarding our own health.

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