Five things you need to know about ocean plastic

Once plastic is released into the marine environment, large pieces of plastic suffocate wildlife and disrupt fragile habitats such as coral reefs before breaking down into toxic microplastics that poison the food chain. Even when they have been physically destroyed, the chemical bonds remain and the impact remains.

Today, more than 4,000 marine species known to be affected by plasticaccording to World Ocean Assessmentthe only global ocean analysis that covers the three pillars – environmental, economic and social – of sustainable development.

Dr Ian Butler, editor of the 1,600-page report which includes contributions from more than 650 experts, said the entire marine system was affected: “their diet, their metabolism, their immune function, their growth and reproduction. This weakened and killed them, and changed the population.”

As World Oceans Day approaches on June 8, here are five things you need to know about ocean plastic:

1. Plastic pollution in the ocean is still increasing

The amount of plastic in the ocean is still increasing, driven by incorrect waste management, careless dumping, abrasion of microplastics and marine activities. Plastic waste emissions are estimated to reach 52.1 million metric tons per year.

There are also different regional patterns: littering is described as the largest source of pollution in the Global North, while uncollected waste dominates in the Global South.

These ‘leaks’ are what cause so much damage to the oceans. “What our eyes see is just the tip of the iceberg,” Dr. Butler warned.

Floating and drifting macro and microplastics are responsible only three to four percent of total ocean plasticwhich means most of the problems are scattered, submerged, fragmented, or difficult to recover from.

2. The smallest plastic is the largest unknown plastic

Once plastic reaches the sea, it is not just limited to beaches or floating piles of rubbish – microplastics are also found from the surface of the water to the deepest depths of the ocean.

It is estimated that there are several 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics in the world’s upper oceans. Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than five millimeters long, it often breaks down from larger plastic items, and can cause changes in the immune system, inflammation, reduced growth rates, and energy imbalances.

However, our understanding of nanoplastics and their long-term biological impacts are still very limited – the more invisible the plastic, the more difficult it is to detect, monitor, remove and assess the risks. At the same time, it becomes easier for plastic to penetrate natural biological barriers such as cell membranes.

Concentrations of these tiny plastics also “increase through the food chain – starting with the smallest creatures, which are eaten, and then accumulating higher and higher,” Dr Butler said.

3. Single-use plastic is a major source of waste

Single use plastic accounts for around 40 percent of global wastewhen fishing accounts for about 15 percentwith patterns varying between high and low income countries.

To reduce this problem requires reducing production, promoting reuse, rethinking product design, increasing recycling innovation, and finding alternatives to single-use plastics. The attached water bottle cap is one of the most interesting recent inventions, although single-use bottles must also be addressed.

Recycling should not be considered a blanket solution – the bigger change is preventing waste before it reaches the ocean.

Regarding sustainable alternatives to plastic, Dr. Butler said that “changing the plastic recipe helps, but changing our reliance on single-use plastic will have a greater impact on the ocean.”

4. Plastic pollution is not just an environmental problem – it is a social and economic problem

Although plastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine habitats, it also significantly reduces ecosystem resilience, human livelihoods and food security

The impacts of pollution are greatly borne by sectors that depend on the sea. Tourism, fisheries and shipping lost billions of US dollars each year through reduced revenue and cleaning costs.

Small-scale fisheries may be particularly vulnerable – plastic pollution is now a major challenge in coastal areas and fisheries, with possible implications for human health, including evidence of plastic consumption in 386 marine fish species.

5. Prevention is key, a global plastics agreement is needed

The solution is not just more beach cleaning or more recycling. According to the Assessment, action should also focus on reducing production, improving materials science, and finding alternatives to single-use plastics.

Perhaps the most effective method for reducing plastic pollution is through international treaties or treaties. That Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollutionled by the UN Environment Program (UNEP), was established to develop an internationally legally binding ‘instrument’ on plastic pollution.

After six years of negotiations, no agreement has been reached between the 193 UN member states.

“Some countries feel they are being unfairly disadvantaged by some types of restrictions, and their economies will suffer disproportionately compared to other countries, which do not rely on plastic manufacturing,” said Dr. Butlers.