The growing plastic crisis in our oceans

Plastic pollution is reaching record levels and the environment and marine animals in particular are being affected: something needs to be done immediately before the most dire projections become reality

The issue of plastic pollution in the oceans is severe and continuously worsening, as evidenced by recent scientific data and research. To illustrate the scale, the amount of microplastics in the oceans far exceeds the number of stars in the Milky Way, with about 51 trillion fragments floating on the surface alone. These microplastics, originating from the degradation of various types of plastic, pose a significant threat to marine and coastal ecosystems.

The situation is so dire that, without drastic measures, by 2050 the amount of plastic in our seas could outweigh all the fish. This projection, coupled with the alarming forecast that 99% of marine bird species will have ingested plastic by the same year, underscores the urgency of addressing this issue.

Currently, 60% of marine bird species and 90% of individuals are already exposed to plastic debris. This impact stems from marine animals’ inability to distinguish between plastic objects and food, making the ingestion of microplastics inevitable.

Less than 10% of produced plastic is recycled

Despite these alarming statistics, the production and consumption of plastic bottles continue to rise, with one million bottles purchased every minute worldwide. Over 580 billion bottles are sold globally each year. Less than half of these bottles are recycled, while the rest end up in the environment, contributing to the increasing plastic contamination in the oceans.

This is the crux of the problem: poor recycling. In total, about 7.7 billion tons of plastic waste have been produced, yet less than 10% of this plastic has been recycled. Most ends up in landfills or is incinerated, contributing to air pollution and climate change.

Moreover, microplastics not only contaminate marine ecosystems but can also enter the food chain, threatening the health of marine organisms and potentially even that of humans who consume fish.

The inadequate management of plastic waste and its continued dispersion in terrestrial and marine environments require immediate and significant action. Measures such as the introduction of stricter laws on plastic production and recycling, the implementation of more efficient recycling technologies, and a greater global effort to clean up the oceans can help mitigate this crisis. However, without a substantial change in how we produce, use, and recycle plastic, the outlook for our marine ecosystems and our health remains bleak.

Condividi su Whatsapp Condividi su Linkedin

New oil spill in Ecuador’s Amazon region

Few people know that last Saturday 23 March a new oil spill occurred in El Chaco, in the Amazonian province of Napo. The spill affected the Coca River basin, already seriously affected by the spills of 2020 and 2022. The oil industry commits a new attack against the Amazon. In silence

On March 23, a new oil spill occurred in the El Chaco canton, within the Amazonian province of Napo, an area previously affected by similar incidents in 2020 and 2022.

Oil slicks tragically surfaced in the Quijos River, an Amazon basin tributary, following what has been described as “a leak” in the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE), operated by the company OCP Ecuador.

The full extent of the spill is yet unknown, as neither the company nor the Ecuadorian government have released any details.

“We demand transparency in the face of this severe incident, which adds to those in 2020 and 2022 on the same pipeline and in the same basin, causing significant damage to nature and indigenous communities,” stated representatives from Amazon Frontlines.

OCP Ecuador’s response

Meanwhile, what is OCP Ecuador doing? They state, “we reaffirm our commitment to the country, the communities, and the environment, which is why OCP Ecuador S.A.’s efforts will not cease until a complete repair is accomplished.”

And yet, the concept of greenwashing remains intact, as the Amazon continues to suffer.

Condividi su Whatsapp Condividi su Linkedin