GPGP GC #2 - assignment PDF

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Human Plastic Pollution and its Impact on The Great Pacific Garbage Patch The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) and other marine plastic sinks are accumulating waste at exponential rates due to societal plastic binges in industrial civilizations. We currently live in a plastic era accumulating 381 million tons of it per year. It is estimated that half of the annual plastic production is thrown away after a single use, and almost every plastic product ever made still exists because of its inability to decompose. Single-use plastics although wasteful, are in worldwide demand. This is because plastic’s strategically engineered durability is extremely appealing as a product. However, its high demand brings the consequence of challenging effective waste management efforts. The amount of plastic debris that is collected into the ocean depends on population size and the efforts of waste management in each region. The high global demand for plastic makes for poor land-based waste management techniques. As a result, the spread of plastic and other pollutants begins to collect in plastic sinks like the GPGP within our oceans. Plastic sinks are commonly located in subtropical gyres, anticyclonic ocean circulation zones. Here plastics and other pollutants gather through strong winds and ocean currents. Plastics can enter the ocean through several other ways as well. For example, plastic can make its way to the ocean through wastewater outflows, accidental spills, and extreme weather events. Policymakers are interested in which countries should be considered the top contributors to marine plastic accumulation. Studies show that the largest producers of plastic waste consist of developing societies located in coastal regions of Asia, and states in Africa. The United States of America is responsible for a significant amount of marine plastic buildup. The USA and Asia are to blame for approximately 54% of the GPGP’s mass. However, the lack of data makes it hard to determine which country contributes more to it over the other. Mendenhall, E. (2018). Oceans of plastic: A research agenda to propel policy development. Marine Policy, 96, 291–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2018.05.005 Poor waste management and overproduction of plastic are evident due to overflowing data regarding the widespread contamination of plastic debris. Not only can large accumulations of plastics be found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), but it can also be found on coastal shorelines, ingested by marine wildlife, stuck in coral reefs, and littering sandy beeches. Sources of plastic debris found in the GPGP rage from microplastics in cosmetics, to mega plastics like marine-based sources such as nets, traps, and floats. This is concerning because plastic has become an extreme threat to biodiversity and human life. Data shows that plastic waste in regions like the GPGP has affected over 700 species of marine animals and is an area of toxic chemical concentration due to decomposition. The accumulation of plastics in the GPGP has grabbed the attention of nongovernmental organizations. Now more people than ever have been made aware of the overproduction of plastic, and poor waste management efforts to control its disposal. International organizations and policymakers are working together to educate individuals about the overproduction and

consumption of plastic. Plastic can present anthropogenic issues if steps are not taken to reduce its use and improve waste management. Rochman, C. (2016). Plastic debris and policy: Using current scientific understanding to invoke positive change. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 35(7), 1617–1626. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.3408 Synthesis As a result of societal plastic binges and poor waste management techniques plastic sinks like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) are accumulating waste at an all time high. Plastic is a product manufactured like no other, its durability makes it attractive to consumers, and almost impossible for the environment to decompose. Studies show that nearly all plastic ever manufacture still exists, posing anthropogenic threats to biodiversity and human life. Data states that costal areas of Asia, and The United States of America (USA) are the most major contributors the GPGP’s mass. furthermore, because of poor waste management, the USA and Asia have been deemed the biggest contributors to ocean plastic in general. When decomposing, plastic releases harmful chemicals into the water. Studies show that over 700 marine species have been affected by the mass of plastic in the GPGP. With over 381 million tons of plastic being produced per year its no surprise that international organizations have started getting involved in the issue. Policy makers and Nongovernmental organizations are working together to not only educate individuals on the plastic issue, but they are also attempting to find solutions to mitigate the problem. If the necessary steps are not implemented to mitigate the accumulation of plastic in the GPGP and other regions of the ocean, over consumption of plastic and poor waste management will result in anthropogenic consequences that will affect all life on earth....