Running head: DROWNING IN PLASTIC 1

Drowning in Plastic

Makenna Tavis

Arizona State University

DROWNING IN PLASTIC 2

Abstract

This paper provides insight towards the issue regarding plastic pollution. This paper

demonstrates all the consequences saltwater ecosystems are facing due to improper treatment of

plastic waste. This paper arises questions as to how serious these issues are and to how seriously

people should work with these issues.

Keywords: Plastic, waste, ecosystems, pollution

DROWNING IN PLASTIC 3

Drowning in Plastic

The amount of pollution in our world is threatening our natural ecosystems and the

existence of animal and plant species. The rate to which we are properly treating our plastic and

waste is overwhelmed by the dramatic rate to which humans are producing plastic. There is not

enough being done to aid the serious threat of pollution in our world. We have made our

beautiful earth into our own personal wasteland. Humans are abusing their planet which should

be respected and honored instead. Our waste and trash are outnumbering the beautiful and

natural pieces this planet has to offer and will be completely outnumbered if nothing is done to

deal with this concern.

Plastic is a serious enemy when considering our oceans. Plastic is a non biodegradable

material which simply means that plastic will stay in our oceans for years. Unfortunately,

saltwater species mistake plastic for food which results in deadly circumstances. The complete

existence of some species is threatened by plastic itself. In fact, “Over 1 million marine animals

(including mammals, fish, sharks, turtles, and birds) are killed each year due to plastic debris in

the ocean” (Sea Turtle Conservancy, 2019). In order to save these animal species, actions like

recycling and eco-friendly products need to be enforced. The appalling amount of plastic in the

oceans threatens the existence of ocean wildlife.

Plastic continues to rapidly produce and will eventually outnumber animal species.

Disturbingly, “..plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050” (“Ocean Plastic

Pollution”, n.d.). In the future, our oceans will be filled with water bottles and trash rather than

the oceans being filled with natural saltwater species. This concerning production of plastic
DROWNING IN PLASTIC 4

should be treated as a wake-up call to deal with ways to improve our planet. Simple everyday

actions like recycling or carpooling can make a big difference in helping the planet.

The real concern regarding pollution is the rate that plastic waste is being produced.

Alarmingly, “The annual production of plastic has quintupled (265 million tons per year in

2010)” (p.1). The rate of plastic is being produced isn't doubling, tripling, but quintupling. This

fact alone should move us to find ways to properly treat our waste. The pollution we produce is

affecting animals as well as humans. Our pollution is making global warming, poor air quality,

and more issues crucial and real. We share our planet so it is our responsibility to take care of it

for our plants, animals, and natural ecosystems.

It has been reported that there is actually little evidence to prove that plastic in oceans is

serious. One source explains that we are being misinformed of the amount of pollution in the

oceans and there is in fact not much plastic as we think there is. This source explains evidence of

speculation and that we are being misled because of dramatic images that appear to be more

serious than it actually is. It explains that we focus on issues regarding plastic because plastic is

visible but plastic may not even be the serious thing when considering pollution in the ocean.

“On the other hand, unsupported speculation can lead to scarce resources being misdirected

when they could be better spent on other environmental issues” (Henry, T., 2018). This source

explains that people should focus on more serious issues that are affecting our planet rather than

plastic pollution.

Regardless of the fact that plastic is a visible pollutant so we may address plastic

pollution first, we must still address this concern. The statistics of plastic pollution prove that

plastic is contaminating our issues. Emotional pictures of plastic in our ocean is certainly not a
DROWNING IN PLASTIC 5

bad thing. People respond to emotion and will get people to see that we are disrespecting the

planet. The pictures are a perfect way to explain the seriousness of pollution in our world.

Regardless of the different types of pollution in our world, each type needs to be seriously dealt

with to save our planet.

The pollution in our world is leading to threatening and dangerous consequences.

Unfortunately, the rate to which plastic is being produced and improperly treated is only

continuing to grow and accumulate. The sole existence of animal and plant species is being

endangered and jeopardized. Plastic is a threat and enemy to our oceans. Plastic is a non

biodegradable product that takes years to decompose. Also, animal species often get tangled up

or mistake plastic products for food. The disturbing fact about plastic is that it is expected to

outnumber most animal species. The rate that plastic is being produced is being quintupled and

will continue to be produced in the future. Humans are not doing enough to respect the planet

that they were given. It has been reported that plastic pollution should not be treated as seriously

as it is. A source explains that people are being misinformed and brainwash by pictures of plastic

in the oceans. However, these pictures aren't a bad thing. Pictures will cause people to do

something and to realize the issues of plastic in our oceans. No matter the type of pollution, each

type should be seriously dealt with and taken seriously.

DROWNING IN PLASTIC 6

References

Echevarría, F., González-Gordillo, J. I., Irigoien, X., Úbeda, B., Hernández-León, S., Palma, Á

T., Duarte, C. M. (2014, July 15). ​Plastic debris in the open ocean​. Retrieved from

https://www.pnas.org/content/111/28/10239

Henry, T., Catarino, A. (2018, March 28). ​Plastics in oceans are mounting, but evidence on

harm is surprisingly weak.​ Retrieved from

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/plastic-oceans-pollution-microplastics-evidence-har

m-recycling-dumping-waste-a8275416.html

Information About Sea Turtles: Threats from Marine Debris (2019). Retrieved from

https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-threats-marine-debris/

Ocean Plastic Pollution. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/