What should we do when tens of millions of tons of plastic waste flow into the ocean?
According to data released by the United Nations, over 400 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, with approximately tens of millions of tons of plastic waste flowing into the ocean. Another study shows that there are currently 5.25 trillion plastic fragments floating in the ocean, even in the Pacific Ocean between 35 ° and 42 ° north latitude, merging into a "garbage continent" composed of 4 million tons and 1.8 trillion plastic fragments.
In recent decades, the concentration of plastic waste in the Pacific has increased significantly, and the area of the "Great Pacific garbage patch", including the "garbage continent", is continuously expanding. If left unchecked, a large amount of plastic waste will continue to spread along the ocean currents over time. To effectively control marine garbage, every country needs to make its own efforts.
The vast majority of marine plastic waste comes from land and is transported to the ocean through rivers. The management of marine plastic waste must start from rivers.
Plastic waste in rivers is becoming increasingly serious
The riverbanks in Shanghai Binjiang Forest Park are in good hygiene at first glance, and there are not many traces of garbage. On July 2, Beiersdorf China and Beijing Watcher Environmental Protection Foundation (hereinafter referred to as "River Watcher") organized more than 160 volunteers to carry out the "beach cleaning action". In just one hour, 1754 pieces of garbage with a total weight of 82.56kg were picked up, 80% of which were plastic garbage. On the surface, it's hard to see, but there's a lot of garbage stuck in the cracks of the anti wave stone, "lamented several volunteers.
Plastic waste in the ocean can entangle or ingest marine animals, directly or indirectly causing their death. Floating plastic fragments can also be decomposed into plastic particles, becoming food for fish and plankton, and ultimately enriched in the human body.
Protecting the global water environment and controlling river garbage pollution is an urgent matter, and public welfare organizations such as "River Watchers" have actively taken action. More and more enterprises are also turning their attention to this, working together with public welfare organizations to become active actors in environmental protection.