Table of contentsThe current state of this global problemWhat can each of us do for the environment?ConclusionReferencesPlastic pollution is a global problem that could lead to extinction premature death of our precious planet. There is currently so much plastic waste in the ocean that we are literally drowning in it. Over the years, we have become extremely dependent on plastic. It is used to package many things like food, toiletries (literally everything). It is used for water bottles – single use and some reusable. It is even used in clothing in the form of microfibers. But one of the most problematic uses of plastic is in straws, which have a detrimental effect on marine life. Plastic mutilates and massacres the mammals and fish in our oceans. And it's destroying the earth on which all life thrives, and if we're not careful, our days on this planet could be numbered. But can we actually do anything to prevent this from happening? In this essay “Global Problems and Their Solutions,” we will delve deeper into the pressing problem of plastic pollution affecting the world and propose viable solutions to address this challenge. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The current state of this global problem Plastic waste pollutes all parts of the world. It is lifted by the wind and carried to other places. It is also often found in the oceans, which constitute the most polluted area. Every day, around 8 million plastics reach our oceans. It is estimated that there are around 5.25 trillion macroplastic and microplastic objects swimming in the sea, weighing around 269,000 tonnes. Plastics make up about 60-90% of all marine debris studied. Around 5,000 pieces of plastic litter were found per kilometer of beach in the UK and over 150 of these were plastic bottles. This is a staggering amount of waste polluting our once clean, pure and beautiful earth. Items such as bottles, disposable diapers and beer holders take around 450 years to biodegrade. Plastic straws take around 200 years and fishing lines, 600 years! The average Brit is only expected to live 80 years, meaning the plastic we use remains for a very long time after we die. The plastic you use today not only affects our generation, but will also affect future generations. It is estimated that by 2050, the weight of plastic swimming in the ocean will be equal to the weight of fish swimming in the ocean. Why should these poor creatures suffer the consequences of our terrible actions? It is a crime against humanity. We are the poison that kills the earth and all its beautiful life. Animals survive without using these artificial death traps called plastic packaging. So why not us? But you may be wondering, “How can some floating plastic bags or bottles affect sea creatures?” » And before we even get started on that, you have to consider how annoying and scary it must be for marine life to have their homes cluttered with damage that doesn't even belong to them. But the truth is that every time you simply use plastic, you are making a huge problem that is already destroying our environment worse. But as we have already mentioned, it is not just our environment that is suffering, wildlife (including all animals, birds and marine life) that arewho inhabit our land also suffer. New research has shown that marine plastic pollution was found in 100% of sea turtles, 59% of whales, 36% of seals and 40% of seabird species studied. It has been shown that 100,000 marine mammals and turtles as well as a million seabirds are killed each year by marine plastic pollution. The problem is that many sea creatures mistake it for food and can choke when trying to eat it. They can also swim into objects like beer holders and become trapped, causing significant upset and distress. Imagine having to deal with that. What a horrible way to die. Additionally, as I said before, plastic straws are a major concern when it comes to plastic pollution. Plastic straws account for 90% of all plastic pollution in the oceans. These straws are ingested by many species of sea creatures and can cause problems such as intestinal damage or even death, among others. However, the plastic ingested by fish not only affects them, but also, in a roundabout way, it affects you too. Toxic chemicals like BPA (bisphenol A) can be released from plastic that is not digested by fish, meaning that when you eat fish you are exposing yourself to these harmful chemicals. These chemicals are also found in single-use plastic bottles, so it would be a good idea to switch to a BPA-free bottle or, better yet, a glass or metal bottle. Not only would you reduce the amount of plastic waste, but you would also save money and protect yourself from these harmful toxins. What can each of us do for the environment? So I hope I've at least convinced you to want to recycle the plastic you use, but what if I told you that a lot of times the plastic you throw away with the intention of recycling actually ends up ending up - you You guessed it – in our oceans! Nearly 250,000 tonnes of collected recycled materials were landfilled or incinerated. In some cases, trucks full of recyclables are rejected because contamination considers them household waste or because the packaging is made confusing for the consumer, with the cardboard lined with plastic, preventing its recycling. Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle (a recycling company) said: “Typically, 50% of what you put in your recycling bin never gets recycled. It is sorted and thrown away. » Which leads you to ask yourself a question: why do we bother with this recycling nonsense if our plastic isn't actually recycled? The cost of recycling is high and has increased due to a ban imposed by China preventing us from importing our waste there, meaning recycling costs for councils have increased by £500,000 in some places. Recycling costs taxpayers a lot of money, but the service is unreliable. It makes you question why you would bother trying to help the planet if your efforts are in vain. But fear not, my eco-warrior friends! There are other steps you can take as an individual, us as a community of people, as well as more extreme steps that must be taken by governments and officials. Now is the time to answer the question: what can we really do to save our planet and its multitude of inhabitants from the devastating effects of plastic pollution? There are actually many small things you can do for the environment. Never underestimate the impact