Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution is a significant environmental issue that poses a serious

threat to the health and well-being of our planet.
Oceans account for 70 percent of the surface of planet Earth and play a pivotal
role in the health of our ecosystem. The consequences of ocean pollution are far-
reaching; ocean pollution is now tied to negative health outcomes in human
health and marine ecosystems.
Some causes of ocean pollution are nonpoint source pollution,
intentional discharge, oil spills, littering, etc.
Ocean pollution has many consequences that directly and indirectly
affect marine life, as well as humans. Pollutants in the ocean make their way
back to humans. Small organisms ingest toxins and are eaten by larger
predators, many of which are seafood that we eventually eat. When the toxins
in contaminated animals get deposited in human tissue, it can lead to long-
term health conditions, cancer and birth defects.
While the exact amount of pollution in the ocean is difficult to measure,
one recent study estimates that the world’s oceans are polluted by roughly
171 trillion plastic particles that, if gathered, would weigh roughly 2.3 million
tons. These microplastics (tiny plastic particles .2 inches or smaller) find their
way into marine ecosystems and our water.
Given the long-term, disastrous effects of ocean pollution, anything we can do
to avoid contaminating our seas is a good idea. With a few small changes to our daily
routines, we can all do our part to help reduce the amount of pollution going into our
oceans. Here are some ocean pollution solutions that you can do to make a difference.
Reduce chemical fertilizer use
Use reusable bottles and utensils
Properly dispose of plastic and other kinds of trash

Finally, I consider that There is an urgent need to explore new and

existing legally binding agreements to address marine plastic pollution.