Author: Qu Jianqiao
Source: "Knowledge is Power" magazine
Today (April 22) is World Earth Day,
This is the 52nd Earth Day,
The theme is
"Love the Earth, Man and Nature Harmonious coexistence".
From last year to now, you may not know how many masks you have used, so have you ever wondered where the lost masks go?
You may not have imagined that last year, more than 1.5 billion discarded masks flowed into the ocean, and the barriers that humans use to protect themselves have become a nightmare for marine life.
The lanyard of the discarded mask may become a prison chain that seagulls , fish, crabs, etc. cannot break free, and the masks may also be eaten by animals, resulting in gastric obstruction, suffocation or even death.
However, discarded masks are just the tip of the iceberg of marine litter. Every year, a large amount of plastic waste is discharged into the ocean.
Marine plastic pollution is serious
Today, plastic bottles (bags) are almost regarded as the embodiment of the devil. Generally speaking, it takes an average of 700 years for a plastic bottle to degrade, and 80% of plastic bottles (bags) cannot be recycled. If a large number of plastic bottles (bags) enter the sea, it will cause harm to marine life.
White pollution invades water
According to statistics, 12.7 million tons of garbage enter the ocean every year, of which 8 million tons of plastic garbage. The production of plastic products has soared to staggering levels in recent decades, with humans producing about 300 million tons of plastic each year.Between 2002 and 2012, humans produced more plastic waste than the entire 20th century, with devastating effects on animals and oceans.
The United Nations report pointed out that the number of marine species affected by marine debris has exceeded 800 records.
According to incomplete statistics, more than 270 marine species have records of being entangled by marine debris.
According to research, about 15 million marine organisms die each year due to plastic waste, and the trend has been worsening in recent years (2014 data).
UN Environment says there will be more plastic waste in the ocean than fish by 2050 if no restrictions are imposed. Our blue planet is likely to become a "rotten color planet".
The marine creatures that should roam freely are now covered in black and blue because of these garbage. We just throw away a plastic bottle here, and on the other side of the earth, a life may disappear because of this.
A British photographer took a picture of a seal on the coast with a fishnet entangled in its neck (Source: World Wide Web)
A whale carcass was found off the coast of the Philippines, and an autopsy found that its stomach was full of 80 kilograms of plastic waste (Source: Global Network) NET)
In Costa Rica, scientists found an injured sea turtle with a 12cm long straw inserted into its nostril , the destruction trend of plastic waste will only accelerate, because these materials do not degrade easily, they exist in the environment and cannot be eliminated.
Because of the low density of plastic waste, it can ride on ocean currents and travel around the world.They can be found everywhere from the Pacific Islands to British beaches and even the Arctic Circle. This trash is often concentrated in the Earth's main ocean circulation - one of the five main subtropical circulation areas is now so polluted that it has been named the "Pacific Garbage Patch" (a collection of plastic waste located between Hawaii and California). Area).
More and more plastic waste is dumped into the ocean
Henderson Island is located in the South Pacific and became a World Heritage Site in 1988. Scientists from the University of Tasmania have calculated that there are about 37.7 million pieces of plastic debris on the island, which may be the most plastic pollution in the world. There are 671 plastic wastes per square meter of beach, which is the density of plastic waste in history. highest place.
Map of the Pacific Garbage Patch Hawaii
Plastics that return to the human body
Although plastics do not degrade easily, they also break down into smaller and smaller pieces when they are exposed to sunlight or physical friction. While these microplastics are not necessarily toxic themselves, they can absorb and accumulate toxic pollutants in the waters they are in, such as DDT pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls . These microplastics are often consumed by small marine organisms, such as plankton and mussels, which are then eaten by larger animals. Scientists don't currently understand this process, but they are concerned that toxic chemicals could build up as they move up the food chain, causing harm to animals and even people who eat contaminated seafood.
Plastic has returned to the human body
In addition, according to the British "Guardian" report, the non-profit organization Orb Media commissioned the University of Minnesota School of Public Health to test 159 drinking water samples collected from 12 countries. 83% of them contain plastic fibers. The more industrially developed countries, the more serious the pollution of plastic fibers. It can be said that plastic particles are commonly found in drinking water in Europe, America and Asia. Among them, the United States has the highest pollution rate at 94% - an average of 4.8 pieces of microplastic fibers per 500 ml of water. This also deserves the attention of a developing China. Behind the prosperity of industrialization is serious pollution, not only the chemical pollution of heavy metals, but also the pollution of water quality and plastic fibers.
Rational use of plastics
To change this, we are already taking action.
2015, the "Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China" was officially implemented;
Starting in July 2017, the entry of foreign garbage has been gradually and completely banned; The use of non-degradable single-use plastic straws is prohibited.
Of course, this requires the participation of each of us.
In daily consumption, I hope that everyone should use as little or no plastic products as plastic bags as much as possible, and advocate the use of environmentally friendly materials such as cloth bags, paper bags and bamboo baskets. The state advocates the use of non-woven bags , the main raw materials of which are polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and viscose. The non-woven bag is a flat structure made of small slices of synthetic materials such as polyethylene . It is easy to degrade and durable, and its use is conducive to reducing white pollution.
In addition, you can bring your own chopsticks, straws, etc. to reduce the use of disposable items.
The use of non-woven bags is beneficial to reduce white pollution.
We also hope that we can make the best use of everything, choose recyclable items, avoid excessive packaging when shopping, actively participate in garbage sorting, and reduce unnecessary material consumption.
In appropriate circumstances, you can also use your imagination to turn waste into treasure.
Candlestick Lantern (Source: Official Account "Youth Xiangwai")
Paper Cup Lampshade (Image Source: Official Account "Space Agency Kindergarten")
Light Bulb Candlestick (Image Source: Official Account "Creative DIY Handmade")
As long as we are willing With your heart and every action, you can keep a beautiful place for the earth.
Note: Part of the content in this article comes from People's Daily, @People's Daily, CCTV News
