Plastic pollution is a big problem for our planet, and here’s why it matters:
Everywhere You Look: Plastics are found all over the place. They’re in the deepest parts of the oceans and even on the tallest mountains. Every year, about 11 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean.
Harm to Animals: Animals that live in the ocean, like sea turtles and seabirds, often swallow plastic because they think it’s food. This can cause them to starve, get hurt inside, or even die.
Changing Nature: Plastics can release harmful chemicals into the environment. This messes up how ecosystems work. For example, tiny bits of plastic, called microplastics, have made their way into the food chain, affecting everything from tiny plankton to humans.
Staying Power: Unlike food waste, which breaks down quickly, plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose. For example, a single plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to break down.
In short, plastic pollution is more than just a messy sight. It's a serious threat to the health of our planet and the variety of life on it.
Plastic pollution is a big problem for our planet, and here’s why it matters:
Everywhere You Look: Plastics are found all over the place. They’re in the deepest parts of the oceans and even on the tallest mountains. Every year, about 11 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean.
Harm to Animals: Animals that live in the ocean, like sea turtles and seabirds, often swallow plastic because they think it’s food. This can cause them to starve, get hurt inside, or even die.
Changing Nature: Plastics can release harmful chemicals into the environment. This messes up how ecosystems work. For example, tiny bits of plastic, called microplastics, have made their way into the food chain, affecting everything from tiny plankton to humans.
Staying Power: Unlike food waste, which breaks down quickly, plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose. For example, a single plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to break down.
In short, plastic pollution is more than just a messy sight. It's a serious threat to the health of our planet and the variety of life on it.