The planet we live on is the most precious natural creation that has been given to us. It provides us with the air we breathe, the food we eat, and our means of survival. Many humans do not realize how much they contribute to the destruction of the Earth. The use of Plastic is one of the largest contributors of pollution in our oceans and land. The only way we can decrease our plastic consumption is to first realize the facts and then take control of this global problem.

Plastic: A growing problem for our oceans

Have you ever heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

It is a giant pond in the middle of the Pacific Ocean consisting of extreme amounts of trash. The waste mainly consists of plastic materials. Each year this massive garbage patch grows bigger and bigger. Today, the mass has grown to twice the size of Texas. But how is the plastic appearing in the ocean?

When trash gets thrown away and dumped into rivers the ocean current takes the materials and sends it flowing into specific areas of our seas. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is just one example of a man-made waste hole. The Pacific current takes a piece of material and clumps together with others in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Sitting between California and Hawaii, the large plastic collection is the home to 1.8 trillion pieces of trash.

This trash is not only killing many animals in the ocean but also our environment. Climate change is happening faster. We are seeing major storms that are devastating cities across the globe. This can be attributed to the amount of ocean waste that is polluting our home.

Plastic is inexpensive, light, and very versatile. It gets used for many common day objects such as water bottles, toothbrushes, containers, and more.

We are using plastic every day in ways we don't even realize. How can we reduce our plastic usage?

Reduce plastic use

There are many ways in which people can cut how much plastic they are using. One example would be to start carrying a reusable water bottle instead of drinking several plastic bottles in one day. Make sure the bottle that is bought is glass, metal or another material not including plastic.

When you go grocery shopping, bring your own reusable shopping bags. There are as many as one trillion plastic bags used each year. Many countries are starting to charge per plastic bag used at the cash register. This is in the effort to cut plastic usage and pollution in our oceans.

There are also many companies producing common day products that use recyclable materials, avoiding plastic and promoting environmental awareness. Using wood plates, bowls, utensils, toothbrushes, chopsticks, and many more great ways to cut the pollution produced by humans.

Take a stance on plastic consumption. Motivate others to use less plastic. Using less plastic will benefit not only many human beings but animals, the climate, and future generations.
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