The Plastic Tide| Confronting the Crisis of Marine Pollution

The oceans, covering over 70% of our planet, are essential to the survival of countless species, including humans. Not only do they provide us with half of the oxygen we breathe, but they also absorb a significant amount of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change. However, the health of our oceans is in grave jeopardy. The Stark Reality of Marine Plastic Pollution The UNEP has issued an alarming warning, plastic constitutes 85% of marine litter, and by 2040, the volume of plastic pollution entering marine environments is projected to nearly triple. This means that an additional 23-37 million metric tons of plastic waste will flood our oceans every year, equating to about 50 kg of plastic per metre of coastline worldwide. This deluge of debris is not just unsightly; it’s deadly. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that billions of pounds of trash and pollutants enter our oceans annually. This pollution pr...