BREAKING NEWS: Plastic Problem
DOCUMENT4 Pau'la Lasike
Water Pollution
Plastic is a huge problem not just in the U.S but in many other countries as well. Our planet is far away from a plastic-free environment and there are several reasons why. United Nations found that each square mile of the ocean has 46,000 pieces of plastic in it. Plastic bags are part of the problem. Plastic pollutes not just our oceans but our roads. Plastic usually goes to the landfill instead of recycling but you can change that by recycling. Figures show that only one percent of plastic bags are actually recycled. David Barnes a marine scientists told National Geographic stray bags choke and strangle many animals worldwide. Plastic has made a very big impact in our lives.
Harming Animals
Plastic bags break down and slowly release toxic chemicals into the soil and animals may eat it and die because of the toxins. Plastic harms sea life the most because instead of recycling plastic, people throw it away and goes into the ocean. Not just plastic but other trash too as you can see in the picture.Some sea animals are extinct because of this big problem, and we can fix it by making sure that your plastic actually goes to the recycling bin. Animals are the main part of the ecosystem and with out them we would have a whole different world. Be smart what you do with your plastic this is your home for life so keep it clean.
Harming Chemicals
Plastic is made up of polymer, nitrogen, and sulphur which are all finite resources. Polymer is not toxic or nitrogen but if plastic is under certain conditions it can be toxic and that's why when it goes in to the ocean it is likely for it to break down and release the toxins. Most plastic is not biodegradable and that means that it doesn't break down so millions of pieces of plastic are just sitting at the bottom of the ocean doing nothing. When you recycle though you can make another bottle with the bottle you recycled. Now you know that when you have plastic trash you should recycle and not just throw it anywhere. If your not a part of the solution your part of the problem.
Questions
1.How do you think the first picture relates to the document?
2.What are some ways plastic can harm sea life?
3.Do you think after you read this that you will do better with your plastic trash?