The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The coasts of California and Hawaii are associated with idyllic images of breathtaking whitewater views and stunning sunsets over pristine ocean. If you have ever been to the beach in Hawaii or California, you know exactly what I am talking about. However, in between California and Hawaii is a massive zone of plastic pollution known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). The GPGP consists of seventy-nine thousand tons of plastic debris, in the form of 1.8 trillion pieces and occupies an area three times the size of France in the Pacific Ocean.
Imagine that. A patch of garbage, THREE TIMES the size of France, just sitting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This massive garbage patch in the subtropical waters of the Pacific exists because of the widespread use of plastics in the world’s economies.
There is a dramatic increase in plastic use in developing countries. As the developing world races to industrialize, they are following in the footsteps of the developed countries and incorporate plastics in their plans for economic expansion. In regional and global economies, plastic accumulation rates are rising dramatically because plastics are a cheap and durable packaging material. Corporations are drawn to plastic because of the cost efficiency and durability. Thus, throughout the world, corporations have a financial incentive to continue to manufacture plastic products and utilize plastic packaging. Compounding the problem is that only one in ten of these plastic materials will be recycled. Disturbingly, plastics continue to be produced at rapid rates throughout the world and are not being reused. As a result, the GPGP is continuing to grow larger as plastic use is increasing amongst regional and global economies.
Some of you may be wondering why I am even talking about this and you may be questioning why the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an issue worth discussing.
For those individuals, I am going to explain why the GPGP is an issue that should not be ignored.
One reason for why this issue should be discussed is that plastic pollution in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch poses risks for the safety and health of marine animals and destroys biodiversity. Since plastics are buoyant, they sit on top of the ocean surface and come in contact with marine life. The marine animals that come in contact with these pollutants are then prone to entanglement and suffocation from consumption of this hazardous material.
Due to its size and color, animals confuse the plastic for food, causing malnutrition; it poses entanglement risks and threatens their overall behavior, health and existence
Ultimately, biodiversity is affected since various species of marine life are gradually being killed off as a direct result of coming in contact with these hazardous pollutants.
Not only does plastic pollution in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch pose risks for the safety and health of marine animals, but there are health and economic implications for humans as well. The United Nations reported that the approximate environmental damage caused by plastic to marine ecosystems represents 13 billion USD. This figure included the cost of beach cleanups and the financial loss incurred by fisheries. Countries are suffering substantial and long-term economic losses and environmental damage for the short-term cost-effectiveness of plastic use. These problems will continue to persist as more countries utilize plastics in their economic development. Without a change in policy, regional and global economies will suffer as plastic debris accumulates in areas and industries that are dependent on relatively plastic-free waters.
