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PLASTIC POLLUTION A BIG PROBLEM FOR THE GULF OF MEXICO |
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by Eli Quiroz | 21-11-2018 17:08
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It is well known that plastic pollution is a big problem worldwide, in the same way, plastic accumulating in our oceans and on our beaches has become a global crisis. All world countries contribute to the plastic ocean pollution especially the ones that are connected with an ocean. Even though Mexico is not an island, it is a country surrounded by water. It is connected with the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and it has two Gulfs, the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California. This makes Mexico a strategic point for ocean plastic pollution. Recent researches said that about 95 percent of ocean plastic comes from land. It is estimated that only 9 percent of the plastics are recycled. However, Mexico is a big consumer of plastics, it has the first place as the country that most consumes bottles of water in the World. In addition, 90 million of water and soda bottles are trashed in the streets, rivers, and beaches, increasing the ocean’s pollution. According to the Ocean Conservancy, the top five plastics found along the Gulf of Mexico’s shoreline are cigarette butts, bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, and many, many small, unrecognizable plastic shards. Many of these plastics containers are produced by international companies as coca-cola, Starbucks, Unilever, Pepsi, Nestle, Et Al. Even though these plastics are now a big problem, there are no laws or regulations to obligate to recover or reuse the plastic material they use to commercialize their products. The main problem of the ocean plastic pollution is that plastic never disappears. It does not biodegrade and convert back into harmless elements; it just break into smaller pieces over time until it converts in “microplastics”. However, these microplastics can be consumed by marine animals and find their way into the human food chain. The problem of ocean pollutions is not only caused by big companies, but also by the consumers. As consumers, we can avoid the single-use plastics, promote the use of compostable utensils and look for more eco-friendly alternatives to plastics. |
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6 Comments
Hello Eli
Plastic wastes are one of the most stressed topics in the environmental section nowadays and many nations are truly suffering from the excess use and dumping of plastics. As the report points out, this waste problem is extended as these thrown away plastics are flown into oceans resulting ocean pollution and the resulted mis-intake by sea animals.
Hope regulation could be stricter on matters regarding plastics!
Thanks for the report :)
Posted 24-11-2018 20:22
Hola Eli, I have watched quite many documentaries or short analysis video clips focused at Mexican biodiversity. I learned that Oceano Pacifico y Golfo de Mexico have a lot of marine species and plastic pollution, and it is clear that it would deteriorate their habitat and environment.
Hope local and municipal support and plans prevent further plastic pollution that affects marine ecosystem and surrounding countries and ocean!
Thanks for your report :)
Posted 24-11-2018 14:23
Indeed plastic pollution is a big threat. We need to do something.
Posted 22-11-2018 22:29
Plastic pollution is a big menace today. Thanks for the update on this in Mexico.
Posted 22-11-2018 03:45
Hello Eli Quiroz, Namaste
This topic is very eye catchy for me,
I always wan to do something about plastic pollution, these days i cannot do any big, but i am doing awareness among school kids about plastic pollution, organizing junk art competition.
Yes it is really big problem, plastic can't be degrade, less use, no use or Reuse are alternatives,
do you know ? sea turtle are mostly affected by floating plastic bags, they assume plastic as jelly fish and eat plastic, and they die due to lack of nutrition, plastic disturb absorption of food in intestine of turtle.
Strong rules and regulations may help and awareness among local people is great need to stop plastic pollution in my view.
Thank you very much for this report about plastic pollution.
Posted 22-11-2018 00:58
Hey there Eli :D
I do remember you posting a similar ( I speak under correction) post on the forum. You are right Mexico City does lie in a setting where it is susceptible to plastic pollution. And the country being known as one which uses the most water bottles is alarming. The companies of which the trash stems from should take charge as this gives them a bad name. Their products are floating on the ocean and millions of sea creatures are being killed by them which is uncalled for.
Thank you for reporting and posting this on the ambassador section, I am sure many more will read this!
Posted 21-11-2018 17:57