Follow Along

Follow along this post with my google slides presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QZ1XJL44rmh3-XsEV60GR6x8DX1H3ERgMTwXoD7e8qs/edit?usp=sharing

Ocean Pollution

  Imagine a hot summer day on the beach with the sun’s rays beating down on
your face. The sand gently prickles your toes like millions of needles as you
run to the shore. You dip your toes in the water and sigh as the cool waves
engulf you. Suddenly, the lifeguard blows his shrill whistle at you and points
to a sign: “Water Polluted – Beaches Closed.” Ocean pollution occurs when toxic chemicals, poisonous fertilizers, trash, and sewage are mixed into the ocean. These harmful pollutants eventually make their way back to drinking water for humans. In addition, much marine life is becoming endangered due to illnesses caused by plastic. With nearly eight million pieces of plastic trash entering the ocean daily, ocean pollution has become a major threat to the environment. Thankfully, there are many steps that students can take to prevent plastic pollution. 

  Ocean pollution began to draw attention in the late 1960s. Littering is the largest cause of ocean pollution. Littering primarily consists of plastic trash such as single-use bags and packaging wrappers. Plastic pollution, along with sewage and oil spills, is a major cause of ocean pollution. The results of ocean pollution include harm to ecosystems and major health problems for humans. According to “Ocean Pollution” by World Book Kids: “Marine debris can injure animals or make them ill. It can also bury marine habitat.” Many fish and other sea creatures such as turtles, whales, and dolphins ingest the plastics that have entered the ocean. As a result of introducing new toxins into the food chain, animals can become seriously ill. Toxins from the plastic can cause dangerous health issues for humans and are often directly linked to cancers and immune system problems. Further sources of ocean pollution include harmful chemicals from farms that are washed into the ocean by rainwater, acids that are used in coal mining, and oil spills. Beyond the large effects that ocean pollution has on the environment and marine life, there is also a high economic cost. A recent study said that plastic pollution in the ocean costs up to $2.5 trillion a year. In summary, ocean pollution has many causes including plastic waste. Ocean pollution can result in harm to marine ecosystems, major
health problems for humans, and extremely high economic costs. Despite this,
many people are trying to help eliminate ocean pollution from plastics and
other sources. 

  Many organizations are trying to remove plastic pollution by cleaning the
ocean, and avoid plastic pollution in the first place by spreading awareness
and using more environmentally friendly business methods. Lots of trusted
organizations are trying to work with scientists to find ways to eliminate
ocean pollution. This is challenging because many people are unaware that
plastics are everywhere! Microplastics, which are smaller breakdown products of
plastic from pollution, were recently found in the air and water. States are
now trying to combat this issue and California became the first state to
acknowledge the problem by placing a ban on plastic straws. Later, New Jersey
passed the Clean Water Act and NJ Environmental Rights Act. They have
had a major positive effect on eliminating plastic pollution with news reports
that “20% of ocean pollution in the USA has been reduced after these acts were
passed.” New Jersey citizens are now littering less and stores have recently
passed a law that they will no longer provide single-use plastic bags.
Furthermore, the Ocean Dumping Act prohibits people from polluting the ocean.
Unless with permission from the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act
or “MPRSA,” ocean dumping or pollution is banned state-wide. Large companies
are also trying to limit plastic usage; some of the most well-known companies
that have taken action include Starbucks, Mcdonald’s, American Airlines, and
Cliffbar. Aside from these companies and the non-profit organizations that are
involved, students can make a difference.

  As “Ocean Pollution” by “PebbleGo Next” said, “If plastic pollution
continues at the current rate as it is now, then by 2050 the ocean will contain
more plastic than fish.” Even though ocean pollution is an urgent global
problem, students – like you – can make a difference. For example, anyone can
get involved by picking up trash at a local beach. This helps because many
people litter at the beach and the trash gets washed into the ocean.
Eventually, this washed away litter gets back into human drinking water. Ocean
pollution affects everyone because all humans consume drinking water. Some
families have filtered water which takes out toxins from water, but filtering
water is not financially viable for everyone yet. Even younger citizens can try
to prevent ocean pollution by making small changes in their lives. Small
changes include using reusable water bottles, avoiding single-use plastics like
straws, trying to recycle more, not littering, and picking up trash in the
community. People can donate to “PEW Charitable Trusts” or support them online.
This charitable organization helps to clean the ocean by removing plastic and
trash. Students can also promote small businesses, which tend to use more
eco-friendly steps in manufacturing. With permission from a parent or guardian,
kids can promote cleaning the oceans and fight against ocean pollution by
supporting brands or organizations already doing this, and by spreading
awareness on social media. Even raising this matter with adults or friends can
make a positive difference to awareness. At this rate, plastic will contaminate
almost every body of water in the future. 

  In conclusion, ocean pollution primarily consists of sewage, chemicals,
and littered plastics. This is harmful to humans and to the environment in many
ways. Ocean pollution is dangerous because over one billion people eat fish as
their protein, which is currently the most polluted sea creature. Many fish now
contain toxic chemicals and are dangerous to eat. Although scientists and
organizations are trying, there are about 5.25 trillion pieces of microplastics
in the ocean now. Despite the challenges, there are still many ways people can
help and multiple organizations are trying every day to prevent plastic
pollution. All people can try to help their communities and limit plastic
pollution. We can all work together before it’s too late and polluted beaches
become a reality. Help save the ocean today! 

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Works Cited: 

Halliday, Elizabeth. “Ocean pollution.” World Book Student, World
Book, 2023,https://worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar754992. Accessed 13
Mar. 2023 

Kass, M. “Breaking the Plastic Wave: A Comprehensive Assessment of
Pathways towards Stopping Ocean Plastic Pollutions.” Natural Resources
& Environment, vol. 35, no. 4, spring 2021, p. 62. Gale in Context:
Environmental Studies, 

link.gale.com/apps/doc/A663597370/GRNR?u=pl9999r&sid=bookmark-GRNR&xid=2f8bc246.
Accessed 13 Mar. 2023. 

Kowalski, Kathiann M. “Oceans of Trouble.” Current Health Teens,
Oct. 2010. SIRS Discoverer, explore.proquest.com/sirsdiscoverer/document/ 

2265652633?accountid=37399. 

“Pollution.” PebbleGo, Capstone, 10 Mar. 2023, http://www.pebblego.com.

Solorzano, Leslie. “Reduce Plastic Pollution to Preserve All Marine
Life.” University Wire, 19 May 2020. SIRS Discoverer, 

explore.proquest.com/sirsdiscoverer/document/2407410052?accountid=37399. 

Stiefel, Chana Freiman. “Fresh Water: Turning the Tide on Ocean
Pollution.” Science World, vol. 53, no. 13, 11 Apr. 1997, p. 10+. Gale in
Context: Elementary, 

link.gale.com/apps/doc/A19377878/ITKE?u=pl9999r&sid=bookmark-ITKE&xid=268cbac8.
Accessed 13 Mar. 2023.

Ocean Pollution

By Shona Ray

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