Are 'microplastics in our drinking water' bad for our health?

Summary

The script delves into the profound impact of plastic pollution, illustrating that even the deepest parts of the ocean like the Mariana Trench are not immune to it. It highlights the astonishing cost of plastic to society and the environment, estimated at a staggering five trillion dollars annually. The script also underscores the efforts being made to combat plastic use and pollution, including global agreements like the Pacific Declaration, as we grapple with the reality of plastic's pervasive presence in our oceans and its detrimental effects on marine life and potentially human health.

Takeaways

• 🏔️ If Mount Everest were to be placed in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, its peak would still be 2.1 kilometers below the surface, highlighting the immense depth of the ocean.
• 🌊 The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean and the deepest location on Earth, with very limited exploration due to its extreme conditions.
• 🦐 Each exploration of the Mariana Trench has led to extraordinary discoveries, including previously unknown sea life and plastic waste.
• 💰 The World Wildlife Fund and Dahlberg's research estimated the annual cost of plastics to society and the environment at a staggering five trillion dollars.
• 📈 This cost accounts for pollution from manufacturing, waste management, environmental degradation, and ecosystem destruction.
• 🇮🇳 For perspective, five trillion dollars is equivalent to the annual GDP of India, emphasizing the massive financial impact of plastic pollution.
• 🌏 Australia contributes around 17 billion dollars to this global cost, with plastic pollution affecting wildlife such as albatrosses.
• 🚯 Plastics are cheap and widely used, but their persistence in the environment causes significant harm, including ingestion by animals and microplastics in drinking water.
• 🔄 Efforts to reduce plastic use are growing, with shifts to biodegradable or reusable alternatives and bans on single-use plastics.
• 🌿 Despite these efforts, the production of plastic, particularly from fossil fuels, is still increasing, with the WWF warning that it could double by 2040.
• 🌐 The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive collection of floating plastic debris, is three times the size of France, illustrating the scale of global plastic pollution.
• 🌍 A binding global agreement, the Pacific Declaration, has been endorsed to combat marine plastic pollution, with over 110 countries supporting the initiative.

Q & A

If Mount Everest were to be placed in the Pacific Ocean, how deep would its peak be?

The peak of Mount Everest would still be 2.1 kilometers below the surface.

What is the deepest part of the ocean and the deepest location on Earth?

The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean and the deepest location on Earth.

How many successful human descents have been made to the bottom of the Mariana Trench?

There have been just four successful human descents to the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

What are some of the extreme conditions found at the bottom of the Mariana Trench?

The bottom of the Mariana Trench is pitch black, freezing cold, and has intense pressure that can crush most submarine crafts.

What kind of discoveries have been made during expeditions to the Mariana Trench?

Expeditions to the Mariana Trench have led to the discovery of previously unknown sea life, including large and strange creatures, tiny shrimp-like animals, brightly colored rocky outcrops, and mysterious mud-dwelling organisms.

What has been found during recent expeditions to the deepest parts of the ocean?

During recent expeditions, plastic waste, including remnants of a helium balloon and plastic bags, has been found even at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

What is the estimated annual cost of plastics to society and the environment according to the World Wildlife Fund?

The World Wildlife Fund estimates the annual cost of plastics to society and the environment to be five trillion dollars.

How does the annual cost of plastics compare to the GDP of India or the amount spent on the war in Afghanistan?

The annual cost of plastics, five trillion dollars, is equivalent to the annual GDP of India and is four times the amount spent on the war in Afghanistan over two decades.

What is one of the consequences of plastic pollution for wildlife, as mentioned in the script?

One of the consequences of plastic pollution for wildlife is that many animals, such as albatrosses, are found with large amounts of plastic inside them, which can lead to their death.

What are some of the measures being taken to reduce plastic use and pollution?

Measures being taken to reduce plastic use and pollution include switching to biodegradable or reusable straws, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly bags, banning single-use plastics in many jurisdictions, and increasing participation in recycling programs.

What is the Pacific Declaration and what does it aim to achieve?

The Pacific Declaration is a binding global agreement aimed at reducing waste, preventing future plastic pollution, and addressing its enormous impact on the environment. More than 110 countries are on board with this treaty.

What is the World Wildlife Fund's concern regarding the future of plastic production?

The World Wildlife Fund fears that without action, plastic production will double by 2040, which will also lead to a doubling of plastic pollution.