POWERFUL VIDEO: Why We Need to Stop Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans FOR GOOD | Oceana

Oceana

9 Oct 201904:36

Summary

TLDRThe transcript highlights the critical issue of ocean pollution caused by disposable plastics, emphasizing their pervasive presence and long-lasting impact on marine life and human health. It reveals the alarming rate at which plastics enter our oceans and the minimal percentage that gets recycled. The narrative calls for action, showcasing examples of progress and urging viewers to support a movement towards plastic-free choices to preserve our oceans for future generations. The solution lies in collective efforts to establish plastic-free zones and reduce single-use plastics, as demonstrated by successful campaigns and legislations worldwide.

Takeaways

🌊 Oceans are vital for sustaining life and have the potential to feed a billion people a healthy meal every day indefinitely.
🚚 Currently, a garbage truck's worth of plastic is dumped into the ocean every minute, totaling 17.6 billion pounds annually.
🌐 Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in the oceans, floating on the surface, mixing with saltwater, and resting on the ocean floor.
🔄 Plastic does not biodegrade but instead breaks down into smaller pieces, including microplastics, which persist in the environment for centuries.
🐢 Over 60% of whale and dolphin species are affected by plastic pollution, which also harms sea turtles and disrupts the ocean's food chain.
🍯 Microplastics are pervasive, found in our water, salt, honey, beer, and even the air we breathe, posing a risk to human health.
🛍️ Many companies produce single-use items from plastics designed for permanence, contributing to the throwaway culture.
♻️ Recycling is not a comprehensive solution; only 9% of all plastic was recycled by 2015, and recycling degrades the plastic quality over time.
🏆 Some companies are leading the way in reducing plastic use, offering plastic-free options in supermarkets, beverages, restaurants, and even flights.
🌍 Legislation and initiatives are making a difference, as seen in Oceana's successful campaigns in Peru, Belize, and the European Union.
👥 Collective action is needed to create a movement against single-use plastics and establish plastic-free zones to protect our beaches and oceans.

Q & A

How does the ocean contribute to sustaining life on Earth?
-The global oceans play a vital role in sustaining life by generating half of the world's oxygen, providing the largest active carbon sink, and absorbing a significant portion of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2).
What is the current rate at which plastic is being dumped into the oceans?
-The equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into the sea every minute, amounting to 17.6 billion pounds every year.
What happens to plastic in the ocean over time?
-Plastic in the ocean does not biodegrade. Over hundreds of years, it breaks down into smaller pieces, including microplastics, which remain as plastic despite their size.
How does plastic pollution affect marine life?
-Plastic pollution affects marine life significantly, with sea turtles choking on it and over 60% of whale and dolphin species being affected. Plankton, which form the base of the ocean food chain, consume it, leading to the ingestion of plastics by larger marine animals and humans.
How prevalent are microplastics in our daily lives?
-Microplastics have been found in our salt, honey, beer, and even in the air we breathe. They are pervasive due to the breakdown of larger plastic waste in the environment.
What is the current recycling rate for plastics?
-As of 2015, only 9% of all plastic ever generated has been recycled. Even when recycled, plastic degrades, and its quality diminishes with each recycling cycle.
What is the projected increase in plastic production by the middle of the century?
-Four times more plastic will be produced between now and the middle of the century than has been produced in all of history.
What are some plastic-free alternatives being offered by companies and organizations?
-There are throwaway plastic-free aisles in supermarkets, plastic-free soda and salsa from beverage companies, plastic-free service in water restaurants, plastic-free rooms in hotels, and an airline offering a plastic-free flight.
What are some legislative actions taken to reduce plastic pollution?
-Oceana and its allies have campaigned for plastic-free victories such as a law in Peru to keep plastic out of national parks and beaches, Belize eliminating styrofoam, and the European Union mandating reductions for throwaway plastic across its 28 member countries.
How can individuals contribute to the reduction of plastic pollution?
-Individuals can join campaigns to reduce throwaway plastic, help establish plastic-free zones in cities, towns, schools, and workplaces, and make conscious choices to avoid single-use plastics.
What is the ultimate goal of the movement to reduce throwaway plastic?
-The ultimate goal is to stop plastic pollution from wrecking our beaches and oceans, ensuring healthy oceans for future generations by providing real plastic-free choices and reducing the use of single-use plastics.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Ocean Plastic Pollution Crisis

The ocean is a vital source of sustenance, capable of feeding a billion people daily. However, it is currently facing a severe plastic pollution problem. Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into the sea, totaling 17.6 billion pounds annually. Plastics persist in the ocean, breaking down into micro-plastics that do not biodegrade. These micro-plastics are harmful to marine life, with over 60% of whale and dolphin species affected. Plastics also infiltrate our food chain, entering our drinking water and everyday products like salt, honey, and beer. The situation is expected to worsen, with four times more plastic being produced by mid-century than in all of history. The current recycling efforts are insufficient, with only 9% of all plastic being recycled by 2015, and even recycled plastics degrade over time.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡oceans

Oceans are vast bodies of saltwater that cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and are critical to sustaining marine life and the global climate system. In the video, oceans are highlighted as essential for feeding a significant portion of the world's population, but they are under threat due to pollution, particularly from plastics.

💡throwaway plastics

Throwaway plastics refer to disposable plastic items designed for single-use, such as bags, bottles, and packaging, which are often discarded after one-time use. These plastics contribute significantly to marine pollution and are highlighted in the video as a major threat to ocean health due to their non-biodegradable nature and the volume in which they are discarded.

💡microplastics

Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic, often smaller than 5 millimeters, that result from the breakdown of larger plastic debris or are intentionally manufactured for use in products like cosmetics and cleaning supplies. They are a pervasive environmental problem, as they can be ingested by marine life and enter the food chain, ultimately affecting human health. The video emphasizes the ubiquity of microplastics in the ocean and their persistence in the environment.

💡plastic pollution

Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, particularly in oceans and waterways, causing harm to wildlife, ecosystems, and human health. The video discusses the alarming rate at which plastics are entering the ocean and the long-term consequences of this pollution, including the impact on marine life and the food chain.

💡recycling

Recycling is the process of collecting, processing, and converting waste materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials. In the context of the video, recycling is presented as a solution to the plastic problem; however, it is also highlighted that only a small percentage of plastics are actually recycled, and even recycled plastics degrade in quality with each use, often ending up as pollution.

💡plastic-free choice

A plastic-free choice refers to selecting products and services that do not involve the use of plastic materials, particularly single-use plastics. The video advocates for consumers to be given plastic-free options as a way to reduce plastic pollution and promote more sustainable practices in various industries, such as supermarkets, beverage companies, and the hospitality sector.

💡Oceana

Oceana is an international advocacy organization focused solely on ocean conservation. In the video, Oceana is presented as a leader in the fight against plastic pollution, working to protect marine ecosystems and promote policies that reduce the use of throwaway plastics. The organization is also mentioned as a resource for viewers who want to join the campaign against plastic pollution.

💡campaign

A campaign, in this context, refers to a series of planned activities designed to achieve a specific goal, often related to social or environmental issues. The video calls for a collective effort through a campaign to reduce throwaway plastics, involving individuals, companies, and governments in creating a movement for a plastic-free future.

💡sustainability

Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the video, the concept of sustainability is central to the discussion about the health of the oceans and the need to transition away from single-use plastics to more sustainable alternatives that do not harm the environment.

💡environmental impact

Environmental impact refers to the effects that human activities have on the natural environment, including the depletion of natural resources, pollution, and changes to ecosystems. The video emphasizes the negative environmental impact of throwaway plastics, which are causing long-lasting damage to marine life and the overall health of the oceans.

💡policy change

Policy change involves the modification or creation of laws and regulations to address specific issues or problems. The video mentions successful policy changes, such as laws in Peru to keep plastics out of national parks and beaches, and the European Union's mandate to reduce throwaway plastics, as examples of how governments can play a role in combating plastic pollution.

Highlights

Oceans sustain life and can feed a billion people a healthy meal every day forever.

Oceans are being filled and killed by throwaway plastics.

One garbage truck of plastic is dumped in the sea every minute.

17.6 billion pounds of plastic are dumped in the ocean every year.

Plastic never goes away; it breaks down into small pieces called micro plastics.

Over 60% of whale and dolphin species are affected by plastics.

Plankton, the base of the ocean food chain, eat plastic.

Micro plastics are found in our water, salt, honey, and beer.

Companies are producing items from a material that lasts forever for one-time use.

A tsunami of throwaway plastic is expected in the future.

Four times more plastic will be produced by the middle of the century than in all of history.

Only 9% of all plastic generated as of 2015 was recycled.

Plastic degrades with each recycling, eventually becoming pollution.

We should not be forced to pollute the ocean every time we eat, drink, or go shopping.

Some responsible companies are already leading the way to a plastic-free choice.

Oceana and allies are winning plastic-free victories through campaigns.

Peru passed a law to keep plastic out of national parks and beaches.

Belize is getting rid of styrofoam.

The European Union has mandated reductions for throwaway plastic across its 28 member countries.

Join the campaign at Oceana.org slash plastics to help create a movement to reduce throwaway plastic.