Human Plastic Pollution and its Impact on The Great Pacific Garbage Patch PDF

Preview

Summary

journal...

Description

Human Plastic Pollution and its Impact on The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Since 2004 the world began manufacturing single use plastics at a record-breaking speed, producing an estimated 8.3 billion tons of virgin plastics, on top of the plastics already produced a half a century before. Now fast forward to 2020 approximately 70 thousand tons of plastic is stuck floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). Almost every piece of plastic ever produced still exists on this planet. This is extremely concerning because plastic is mainly sourced from natural gases such as crude oil, and it contains toxic chemicals that negatively effect all types of biodiversity. With the ongoing steady production of plastic and little to no solutions on how to manufacture a more eco friendly plastic we are turning our earth, and its oceans into a toxic plastic wasteland. However, there is hope. This article states that bioplastics could be a potential solution to the plastic problem which could in theory stop the collection of water Borne ocean plastic from accumulating in the GPGP, and other areas. Bioplastic has a uniquely engineered design that consists mainly of sugar and starch materials. The only problem with Bioplastic is that it has the potential to cause conflict with competition between farmers growing crops to supply food, or growing crops to supply plastics. Its design is also flawed because it contains oxo-plastics, which is an additive that helps materials to degrade. This is a matter of concern because the oxo plastics tend to fragment and add to the burden of microplastics. Other potential solutions in effort to reduce plastic from reaching the GPGP include repurposing waste and halting the production of virgin plastic. More extensive collection and recycling of plastic Is needed immediately.

Angela Sun the narrator of the film Plastic Paradise documents her journey to one of the most remote places on this earth, midway atoll, to first handily study the wonders of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). During her studies Sun attempts to understand ways of which the plastic problem in areas like the GPGP can be reduced and more controlled. Sun examines the GPGP by looking at where the problem is coming from, the impacts it has on marine and land environments, and why the plastic keeps coming. Furthermore, Sun visits with scientists, doctors, and even speaks to CEOS at oil conferences in attempt to uncover some possible answers to the plastic problem accumulating in this area.

Sun spreads awareness about the GPGP through creating educational campaigns by voicing her concerns about finding a set solution for this issue. After loads of extensive research she states that she cannot think of an answer for the overwhelming amount of plastic pollution collecting here. However, she does comment that it is plastic consumers responsibility to act. If consumers do not buy plastic, then manufacturers will not produce it. This will essentially lower the accumulation of plastics in the GPGP. Not only will stopping the use of disposable plastic be beneficial to the GPGP, recycling the already accumulated plastic in this area to make new products would be beneficial as well....