What does a tropical island in the Pacific and Antarctica have in common? Unfortunately, it's ship debris. Even the most remote places on Earth are polluted by man-made trash and sewage. And much of the debris found comes from land-based sources. In just one month, a marine reserve off the northwest Hawaiian islands collected 50 tons of debris. That's the equivalent of 50 elephants' worth of trash. This small sample speaks volumes about the magnitude of this problem. Marine debris is everywhere. It sits on the seafloor, hangs in the water column, floats on the surface, and lies on the beach. And no matter what location it is, it causes problems.
Animals become entangled, trapped and killed. They ingest fragments while feeding, which can lead to illness and death. Corals become smothered, causing significant disruption to entire habitats and ecosystems. Boats face navigational risks, such as damage to their propellers. Cigarette butts, plastic bottles and plastic bags left on beaches. Debris also causes injuries to swimmers, divers and beachgoers and can lead to areas being closed due to pollution.
The tourism industry suffers from these things. There are no easy solutions to the global problem of marine pollution, but there are things you can do to help. Since we caused it, we have a responsibility to clean it up. We can recycle more, volunteer to clean up shorelines, and support programs that tackle the problem in creative ways. Take the time to research what events and actions are happening in your area. Ultimately, the most effective way to reduce our waste is to not create it in the first place.
Our islands and icebergs should have one thing in common: plastic-free water.
