World We Imagine Part 3 - Clean The Seas
Introduction - Climate Change
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues we face. Never in the history of humanity have our actions had such a profound effect on the planet. There are a multitude of factors that contribute to the problems we are experiencing and are forecasted to experience in the future.
The greenhouse gas effect is warming the planet, leading to rising seas, stronger storms, longer droughts, and more. To combat this trend, we must reduce our reliance on burning "fossil fuels" for energy. That is much easier said than done, however. It will take a collective effort on the part of individuals and industries to make a change that can limit the negative consequences of decades of carbon pollution.
The most important aspect of climate change, though, is to what degree it will disrupt life on the planet. That is not limited to humanity. Yes, we will face enormous challenges due to climate change, but we share the earth with millions of other species of life.
Marine Life
Marine life is perhaps the most overlooked portion of biodiversity the earth holds. Beneath the waves are millions of unique species of plants and animals. Rising ocean temperatures will affect their futures just as much as rising air temperatures will affect ours. It is vital to the overall health of the planet to preserve the balance of life in its oceans and waterways.
Oceanic creatures are impacted by a number of different human activities. Carbon pollution is one, yes, but so is plastic pollution. Micro and macroplastics pose different threats to marine life.
Plastic Problems
Microplastics are excellent at bonding to toxins that, when ingested by microorganisms, make their way up the food chain and become concentrated in larger species. The animals at the top of the food chain are responsible for "regulating" the rest of the chain, so limiting their exposure to toxins that can affect their health and reproductive ability is hugely important. Eliminating the pollution of microplastics would be an enormously significant step in the right direction.
Macroplastic pollution - meaning anything larger than a pebble - is another area of concern. Today there are plastic "gyres" larger than the state of Texas floating in the Pacific (National Geographic). These plastics have been found in the stomachs of whales, turtles, and other marine life which consume the trash indiscriminately. Plastic pollution is directly responsible for the ecological stresses which Earth's marine life is experiencing.
Plastic Solutions
Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem - and we don't even have to stop using the incredibly convenient products made of plastic. There is a kind of plastic made of Polylactic Acid (PLA) which is sustainably sourced and biodegradable (Rogers):
"Polylactic Acid (PLA) is different than most thermoplastic polymers in that it is derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane. Most plastics, by contrast, are derived from the distillation and polymerization of nonrenewable petroleum reserves. Plastics that are derived from biomass (e.g. PLA) are known as “bioplastics”.
Polylactic Acid is biodegradable and... It can be produced from already existing manufacturing equipment... This makes it relatively cost-efficient to produce."
There is an enormous preexisting market for plastics. All we (as plastic producers and consumers) need to do is make the switch from petroleum-based plastics to PLAs. In order to bring about this change, we need to raise awareness of the problems that our current methods pose to marine life and the benefits that this simple switch would bring about.
Recommendation
"Clean The Seas is dedicated to providing practical solutions to prevent plastic from ending up in our oceans. Made from 100% bio-based material, our plastics have a total life cycle of less than one year. Our model changes how a community approaches waste management by ensuring sustainable production, localized collection, and natural decomposition. Our goal is to destigmatize plastic use through correcting the unnecessary negative impact it has on our planet and oceans."
CTS intends to make an impact through various operations: social media presence, merchandise, partnerships, and in-house PLA-based plastic production. CTS believes that once awareness of the issue grows, social pressure will lead plastic manufacturers and consumers to make the switch to PLAs.
I can personally advocate for this organization as I am in contact with its founders and intend to lend my own support to their efforts. AMDP should support the cause because it is the right thing to do for the sake of our oceans, our planet, and our future.
Works Cited
Halphide, Nick. “Home.” Clean The Seas, 5 May 2020, www.cleantheseas.org/.
National Geographic Society. “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” National Geographic Society, 9 Oct. 2012, www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/.
Rogers, Tony. “Everything You Need to Know About Polylactic ACID (PLA).” Everything You Need To Know About Polylactic Acid (PLA), 7 Oct. 2015, www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/learn-about-polylactic-acid-pla-prototypes.
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