Plastic, Pollution & Our planet
Start writing a post
Student Life

Plastic, Pollution & Our planet

In case you were curious if that plastic straw you grab at the drive through really makes a difference.

254
Plastic, Pollution & Our planet
Taken by: Ciara Gorby

There is the lingering question that is circling our society today asking why one individual should be aware and care about the ecosystem that is our earth. The question revolves around the idea that one single person cannot make a singular difference when it comes to saving the planet. Well, here are some undeniable facts to get you thinking:

Every person does matter.

If every single person has the attitude that there is nothing that their one person can do to contribute to a healthier environment, nothing will ever be accomplished, correct? Now flip that idea. What if everyone DID think that they mattered? What if every person has a similarly positive attitude about their contributions to being eco-friendly? Maybe when you decided to stop purchasing water bottles and started using only reusable, your sibling thought it was a good idea too. Then maybe your parents join in, and maybe their friend join, and their kids, and their kids' kids. As a community, we could do wonders.

Giphy


Plastic is detrimental.

Plastic waste is something we abuse and refuse to address on a daily basis. According to a fact sheet, written by Earth Day Network, there are over eight million metric tons of plastic that is added to the five main plastic islands (that we have created, by the way) that float around our planet's oceans (EDN, 2018). The numbers are staggering and state that somewhere around an entire garbage truck, composed of plastic alone, is being dumped into our ocean every single minute (EDN, 2018). EVERY MINUTE. Let me reiterate that…. An entire garbage truck, composed of plastic, into the ocean, 1,440 times A DAY.

Giphy


Do you like sushi?

I'm not sure about you but fish is a large proponent of my diet. Fish is high in vitamins and oils that help to create a healthy lifestyle and eliminate the need for red meats and an unprecedented amount of chicken. Now obviously we don't eat all types of ocean wildlife but some of the most popular fish to eat, caught wild, including brown trout and perch, have eaten plastic at one point in their lives (EDN, 2018). According to another article, written by One Green Planet, explains how "700 marine species are being threatened with extinction due to ingestion, entanglement, and pollution" (One Green Planet, 2017). With that being said, it's assumed that if we follow the same trends the plastic to fish ratio will be 1:3 by 2025 and by 2050 there will be more plastic in our ocean than fish (One Green Planet, 2017). So, if you can't do it for the ecosystem, do it for yourself... everyone loves a good sushi roll.

Giphy


How can we help?

Like I've stated above: every person matters. Every voice counts. You can help by educating yourself and educating your peers. Going to trustworthy sources to obtain information is important. You can start small. If you're a Starbucks fanatic and cannot bear to survive the day without your hot caramel macchiato with almond milk BUY A REUSABLE CUP (you can buy a stainless steel one for around 15 dollars on amazon). Follow the movement on banning plastic straws. Recycle. It is noted that only somewhere around 14% of plastic packaging is recycled and only 5% of that is retained for subsequent use (One Green Planet, 2017). And finally, share this to help your friends become aware. The time for change is now and we cannot afford to keep ignoring the problem.

Giphy


References and some websites to check out for more info:

- https://www.earthday.org/2018/04/05/fact-sheet-pla...

- http://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/there-wi...

-http://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/simple-a...

- http://science.sciencemag.org/content/359/6374/460

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

9367
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

941749
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

118546
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments