As of 2018, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch has grown to a size three times the size of France. The 617,000 square miles of garbage is floating through the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii. In a new study published by Scientific Reports, scientists analyzed 1.2 million samples of the plastic debris from the patch. They concluded that the garbage patch contained at least 79 tons of plastic and this number continues to grow everyday. The mixture of plastic straws, fishing nets, plastic bottles and bags has polluted and contaminated the aquatic life of the Pacific.
The concern over this growing patch of garbage has prompted to action from countries around the world. Microbeads found in body wash, lotions and soaps have been banned in the US to lower the amount of plastic drained into the ocean. Other countries have taken more extreme action and introduced widespread bans on plastic bags, bottles and other plastic products. The US has not taken any legal action against water bottles and plastic bags, but after recent events, things seem to be heading in a new direction.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a bill to ban on single-use plastic bags in the state of New York. This is a large step for environmental conservation and counteraction against the increased pollution of waterways in the state of New York. New York City’s waterways, sewers and rivers have been riddled with plastic debris, especially plastic bags. A little over a year ago, Cuomo blocked a 5-cent surcharge on single-use plastic bags in New York City. After increased pressure from environmentalists and growing concern over water pollution, Cuomo has decided to be more strict on plastic products by introducing this bill. Other than New York, California and Hawaii have already imposed bans on plastic bags. Few other states including Rhode Island, Maine and the city of Seattle have imposed taxes, fees and other regulations on plastic bags.
This trend of legislation against plastic products started recently after concerns of climate change and worldwide pollution were becoming more serious. The Paris Climate Accord aimed to combat carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, but it did not mention or involve any counteraction against plastic products. Plastic is made from crude oil and natural gases, but it does not emit any greenhouse gas. Because of this, many politicians and climate change activists have overlooked plastic as a major issue. In reality, plastic is the single greatest contributor to the pollution of water and protected ecological reserves.
This is seen in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and in all major rivers and lakes around the world. According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, by 2050 the oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight. This alarming statistic is one of great concern. Fish ingest plastic, birds and humans eat the contaminated fish and the toxic particles of plastic make their way into the human body. The pollution of earth’s oceans not only affects the fish and coral that live in the water, but the rest of the world as well.
A thorough cleanup of the plastic in the water will require many years to accomplish. Some particles of plastic are so small that they will just slip through netting. Plastic also takes at least 450 years to degrade completely compared to paper which can decompose in 1-2 weeks.The sheer size of the garbage patch and the current of ocean will further delay progress and funding for such a large project will an issue. Realistically, environmentalists believe humans can only slow down the dumping of plastic into the ocean. With laws that ban microbeads, plastic bags and other plastic products, the amount of plastic waste may reduce greatly. British PM Theresa May has proposed a 25 year plan to rid of all avoidable plastic waste. Uganda, Kenya and other neighboring African countries have completely banned plastic bags. Legal actions such as these are the best way for politicians and governments to handle this issue of plastic waste. For the rest of the population, recycling, reusing and reducing the reliance on plastic is the only way to relieve the planet of plastic waste.
With tons of plastic floating around the world, the health of the aquatic life as well as the health of mankind is at risk. New York’s possible ban on plastic bags just scratches the surface of the greater problem. Countries have begun to take charge and attempt to reduce the amount of plastic waste. Cities’ recycling facilities and alternatives to plastic bags and bottles have aided in the process of keeping the oceans clean. Helping the environment starts at home. Governments try to do their part and so does the rest of the population. Humans’ reliance on plastic is a large obstacle, but these small steps may someday save humans from themselves.
