Hi everyone! In Hurumanu 1, we've been writing essays about a specific topic we selected relating to sustainability issues.
Over the years, the number of plastic products being produced, used, and wasted has increased rapidly around the world. Causing one of the world’s urgent problems, Plastic pollution. Now, what is plastic pollution? Plastic pollution is basically the build-up of unnecessary used up plastic objects and particles in the world such as plastic bottles, bags, and microbeads. Apparently, the world produces at least 3.5 million tons of plastic just in a single day. Hence the landfill sites are filled up often. Therefore, with the lack of human sympathy for the environment, we sometimes throw rubbish recklessly everywhere. Which causes problems of plastics floating around, and plastics could travel everywhere. Which will eventually lead their way into the ocean. Harming the lives of aquatic animals as well as land animals but also human lives as well.
Plastic can harm animals. It could be as simple as accidentally consuming it and getting stuck to it. As a matter of fact, land or sea animals could get strangled over discarded six-pack rings which usually happens numerous times. In fact, one million seabirds and 100,000 aquatic animals were killed by six-pack rings yearly. Animals might also mistake the plastic or any kind of waste floating around the sea as their food. It’ll consume the object and as a consequence, it will get intoxicated and soon die. Unfortunately, did you know? Scientists have found that in at least 144 species, there are plastics hiding inside their bodies due to maybe accidental consumption. As a result, millions of individual animals died each year due to plastic pollution. But how does it affect us? In some way, those factors end up contaminating our own food. Moreover, some plastic particles are even found in our tap water. We could basically end up eating plastic affecting our health without even knowing it! That’s insane!
Plastics are indeed dangerous for everyone. But is it really all terrible? I don’t think so. In 1907, plastic was first invented by a Belgian chemist named Leo Baekeland. It was invented to benefit humans’ everyday lives. For instance, plastic revolutionizes medicine with life-saving appliances like life-jackets, life-buoys, etc. Moreover, It is also a convenient use for our daily lives. It could be as simple as having a plastic bag provided for you whenever you go to the supermarket to put in your groceries. Plastics are also cheap, hence most companies use plastics as packaging material. Speaking of plastic packaging, it is also hygienic. It protects humans from outside conditions like rain and as well as good protection against definite contaminations and disease. Besides, they also help preserve food so that it is still suitable to eat. In addition, it also has saved lives with helmets, car airbags, and equipment that helps filters for clean drinkable water sources. Not only that but also made space travel possible and moderated cars and jets. Furthermore, they do not give off methane in the worsening process. For instance, when organic materials end up in (places where garbage and trash are dumped), they usually give off big amounts of methane, which is harmful pollution. However, plastic doesn’t produce these substances. All of this proves that there are good benefits and advantages to plastics. But what are the downsides of it?
As mentioned at the start, plastics affect animals' and humans' lives by accidental consumption and so on. Are there any other effects of plastic pollution done in the world? Sadly, yes. In some developing countries, they suffer from a flood of plastic wastes from all over the world that is caused by plastic which leads to all sorts of pollution. Plastic causes water pollution. Companies illegally dump their plastic wastes into a nearby river or lake which contaminates it and causes all sorts of environmental issues. Additionally, it causes air pollution. A bunch of plastic wastes has to be constantly burned down, as a result, sets off harmful gasses into the air. If harmful gasses are exposed to air, it can also damage our ozone layer. The ozone layer is basically the thing that protects the earth from getting too hot from the sun. If it’s damaged, it wouldn’t be able to protect us, and the temperature of the earth will increase and cause global warming. Which is already happening. Air pollution also increases the chances of getting the pulmonary disease. Moreover, plastic is a non-renewable source. In order to produce plastic, the main ingredients are oil and natural gas. We certainly know that oil isn’t renewable and it doesn’t last forever. That is why it is not a renewable resource, so we can’t forever use plastic.
However, there is still hope. Some people think that there is a potential of having eco-friendly plastics in the near future. Fortunately, high-tech devices being made might help scientists to discover alternative eco-friendly plastics. While that is still being progressed. Here are a couple of simple things you can do to help the world reduce plastic wastes and pollution. Although, the world nowadays is so dependent on plastic for their everyday lives. I believe we as individuals could make a change for the better. You could start helping the world today by simply doing one of these things as soon as possible. Separate yourself away from disposable plastic products. 90% of the items we use in our daily lives are only used once and they go straight onto the bin and they usually contain plastic. Examples are a plastic wrap, straws, coffee cup lids, grocery bags and etc. To avoid doing so, instead, bring your own fabric bag when going shopping for groceries. It could save your money from buying that plastic bag.
Lastly, using the 3 R’s, recycle, reuse, reduced. It’s obvious that we needed to do these things. Even so, I don’t think we do a nice job of it. Most people don’t bother checking the labels of the bin before throwing away their rubbish. We need to look at the labels and make sure we don’t mistake the type of rubbish we put inside that specific bin. Like, make sure you put unnecessary and potential cardboards into the recycling bin, so it doesn’t go to waste when it can be recycled. Reuse things that can be reused. For instance, those plastic cups maybe. You can wash and dry them and they can be reused for another time again. Reduce the number of plastics you use. How? By simply being wiser of the products you buy at stores.
That goes in the line of using your money wisely. Avoid spending your money on pointless things that could harm the surroundings. Choose a product that could be more helpful to the environment. Put pressure on manufacturers. Now, this might sound wrong but please don’t think of it as the other way. Although we could make a difference in our own habits. Manufacturers obviously have a bigger ecological footprint than us. If you believe that companies could be wiser at their use of materials that affect the environment, let your voice be heard. You could write them a letter about it or strike them where it really hurts. If you don’t have the guts to do that, you could instead, spend your money on a sustainable competitive advantage.
To wrap this up, just do the best you can as an individual to help with the situation. No matter how small it is you’ve done to help, it still counts and would make help a difference. Even so, don’t be discouraged. I believe that, if we work together as one helping this world’s issue, we can change the world for the better. Before it is too late. Remember, we, humans are the root of this problem however, we can also end this problem the way we started it. Take actions as soon as possible and have faith and hope. No matter how massive and terrible the problem is, there is still good in it. We may not completely put an end to it but I hoped we could balance the pros and cons out.
Resources:
https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/key-facts-about-plastic-pollution/
https://environmental-conscience.com/plastic-pros-cons/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/plastic-pollution/#:~:text=Millions%20of%20animals%20are%20killed,species%20of%20seabird%20eats%20plastics.&text=Stomachs%20so%20packed%20with%20plastics,urge%20to%20eat%2C%20causing%20starvation.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/the-history-and-future-of-plastics#:~:text=In%201907%20Leo%20Baekeland%20invented,the%20rapidly%20electrifying%20United%20States.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODni_Bey154&t=212s
