Ocean plastic problem to be three times worse by

Ocean plastic problem to be three times worse by 2025

21/03/2018

A new report commissioned by the UK government says levels of plastic pollution in the ocean is projected to treble between 2015 and 2025. “Plastic does not decompose, instead breaking down into ever smaller pieces,” the report says. “The full effects are not understood, but there is growing evidence of plastic harming sea creatures and restricting their movement, as well as polluting beaches.”

Called ‘Future of the Sea’, the report was compiled by a team of academics and researchers working with the government’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Ian Boyd.

One of its recommendations is to reduce plastic pollution in the sea by preventing it from entering the sea, by increasing the use of biodegradable plastics, and, potentially, public awareness campaigns about marine protection to address what it calls “the out of sight, out of mind” challenge.

The report goes on to say that companies around the globe are currently producing 300 million tonnes of plastic per year and that 70% of all the litter in the world’s seas and oceans is plastic. It mentions that Henderson Island, a UK dependency, was recently found to have the highest density of manmade debris (99.8% of which was plastic) recorded anywhere in the world.

Image: United Nations Environment Programme

Ocean plastic problem to be three times worse by - sportstextiles: Lea

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Ocean plastic problem to be three times worse by 2025