(ORDO NEWS) — A sea of plastic near one of the coastal cities. A new report from the World Wildlife Fund says that this kind of waste in the ocean could be four times more by 2050.
The authors analyzed hundreds of scientific papers on plastic pollution. As a result, they came to the conclusion that microplastics are of particular danger, and that by the end of this century, its concentration may increase 50 times.
[Melanie Bergmann, marine biologist]:
“Plastic breaks down into smaller particles due to the action of sunlight and waves in the ocean.
And these micro-particles can get into even more organisms. Even the tiniest plankton can eat them, causing the plastic to get into the whales.”
According to studies, 88% of the studied species of marine animals are negatively affected by plastic. So, it is swallowed by up to 90% of all sea birds and 52% of all sea turtles.
[Melanie Bergmann, marine biologist]:
“Some organisms are unaffected by it.
They just swallow it, that’s all. But for some, it causes inflammation, inhibits growth, reduces reproductive ability, fertility. The influence differs depending on the species.
Researchers have already found a dangerous concentration of microplastics in the Mediterranean and Yellow Seas, as well as in the ice of the Arctic Ocean.
From this, they concluded that it would no longer be possible to clean the world‘s oceans, and that the process was irreversible.
They say that the only way to help is to reduce the consumption and production of plastic. To do this, you need to change consumer habits.
The World Wildlife Fund is calling on countries to adopt a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution. It may be considered at the UN Environment Assembly later this month.
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