passion project

Isabella Lo
Mrs. Pritchett
English 07
April 9th, 2021

Did you ever wonder how much trash there is in the water? If we decide to leave the trash

there, it will start impacting our ecosystem, economy, and health. Our oceans are home to most

of the life on our planet and play a central role in the world's natural systems, like regulating our

climate, by helping save our ocean we are saving us.

Many think that our ocean is somewhat fine, but the reality is much different. “The amount of

plastic trash that flows into the oceans every year is expected too nearly triple by 2040 to 29

million metric tons.” (National Geographic, Laura Parker) All of this is not only going to affect

the people near the sea or the organisms living in the ocean, but it will affect all of us. Marine

debris is the trash of our every-day lives. Every year debris kills thousands of marine animals,

sea birds, and coral reefs. With all of this trash in our ocean, more than 1 in 10 species ingesting

or becoming entangled in marine debris are threatened with extinction. All seven sea turtle

species, over half marine mammal species and almost two thirds of all seabird’s species have

ingested or become entangled in marine debris. This led to approximately US$13 billion a year

in environmental damage to marine ecosystem. (Protecting the Ocean to Protect Humanity)

Not only is the Ocean pollution affecting our economy and marine life, but it is also affecting

mankind. The ocean provides over 70% of the oxygen we breathe and over 97% of the world’s

water supply. Chemicals such as mercury, oil, led, pesticides and other heavy metals can be

found within the ocean and can contaminate water supplies and our food chain by affecting the

marine life involved. If these toxic chemicals are exposed for long periods of time, it can create
dangerous health problems. (How Ocean Pollution Affects Humans) “Simply put: Ocean

pollution is a major global problem, it is growing, and it directly affects human health,” said

Professor Philip Landrigan, M.D., the director of the observatory and of BC’s Global Public

oceans, but that is only part of it. Research shows the oceans are being fouled by a complex stew

Health and the Common Good Program. “People have heard about plastic pollution in the of

toxins including mercury, pesticides, industrial chemicals, petroleum wastes, agricultural runoff,

and manufactured chemicals embedded in plastic. These toxic materials in the ocean get into

people, mainly by eating contaminated seafood." ( Hayward Oceans in peril, humans at risk)

Saving the ocean is not that simple. There are multiple ways that are most heard about like

recycling. The less common but still fairly simple things you could be doing are reducing your

carbon footprint; saving energy, make safe, sustainable seafood choices; know where your

seafood is coming from. "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will

save it." -Robert Swan. Why depend on someone else to help save our ocean if we can start

helping in easy and simple ways?

Targeting the younger generation might contribute to helping. Social media plays a big role in

teen culture today. Surveys show that ninety percent of teens ages 13-17 have used social media.

Seventy five percent report having at least one active social media profile, and 51% report

visiting a social media site at least daily. (Aacap Social Media and Teens)

As most teenagers are driven by social media, a hashtag, post, or a picture in a feed, can get the

attention of millions. By spreading the information more people will gain knowledge of the

ocean and start contributing, and we are on step closer to saving the oceans.

Instagram is one of the most used social medias by teenagers. Being number two in the chart

for Photo & video on the app store. Using Instagram, we can have interaction with others, no
matter where they live. Many marketing agencies, companies, influencers, celebrities use

Instagram as a platform to advertise their company or product. There are multiple ways to create

an account and to make an interactive feed. To target and inspire the younger generation, we

share the beauty of the ocean, show peoples’ love for the ocean and our knowledge to educate

them. There are so many stories out there and sometimes these small videos can impact one

person, who leads to many more.

The Ocean plays an essential role for our ecosystem, economy, and health. By helping in

simple and small ways, sharing what you are doing to contribute, can lead to bigger changes. By

saving our Oceans we are protecting marine animals, our economy, and us. The ocean needs us.
 Works Cited Page:

Hayward, Ed. “Oceans in Peril, Humans at Risk.” Ocean Pollution Poses Risk to Human Health,
Report Shows, Dec. 2020, www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/science-tech-and-health/earth-
environment-and-sustainability/landrigan-ocean-report.html.

“10 Ways You Can Help Save the Oceans.” Oceana, oceana.org/living-blue/10-ways-you-can-
help-save-oceans.

Aacap. Social Media and Teens, AACAP, Mar. 2018,

www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Social-
Media-and-Teens-100.aspx.

By: RumblefishAdventure, et al. “The Ugly Journey of Our Trash: Project AWARE.” Project
AWARE Homepage, www.projectaware.org/publication/ugly-journey-our-trash.

“How Ocean Pollution Affects Humans.” Planet Aid, Inc., Planet Aid, Inc.,
www.planetaid.org/blog/how-ocean-pollution-affects-humans#:~:text=Every%20day%2C
%20toxic%20chemicals%20are%20entering%20our%20oceans.&text=If%20humans
%20are%20exposed%20to,our%20nervous%20systems%20and%20kidneys.

“Oceans.” The Ocean Cleanup, 12 Feb. 2021, theoceancleanup.com/oceans/.

Parker, Laura. “Plastic Pollution Facts and Information.” Environment, National Geographic, 10
Feb. 2021, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution.

Protecting the Ocean to Protect Humanity, Conservation International, 2019,

www.conservation.org/priorities/protecting-the-ocean-to-protect-humanity.

US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “How Can

You Help Our Ocean?” NOAA's National Ocean Service, 28 June 2016,
oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html.