Ocean Pollution

Today, pollution is known to be all over the world, in the air, on land, and in the ocean. Currently 41% of the world’s oceans have been strongly affected by pollution according to answers.com. Ocean pollution is constantly responsible for the death of marine life, and the contamination of seafood and the air. These vital things to our world are being damaged, and there is more than one thing to blame for it.           

Ocean Pollution, just like regular pollution is brought about from numerous causes, and garbage is one of the number one causes. Garbage has caused massive amounts of indestructible objects to float around in the ocean. Known as the Pacific Garbage Patch; stretching from California to Japan and is estimated to be twice the size of Texas, according to the Oprah Winfrey Show. The Garbage patch consists of plastic, glass, metal, rubber, Styrofoam, oil, and derelict fishing gear. Other causes of ocean pollution include travel through the waterways, acid rain, tropical storms, and oil. All of these causes are creating significant effects on the world.

Ocean pollution is known to be affecting things all over the world. One of the main places that are affected are portions of the ocean zones. These zones are severely affected because 90% of the oceans sea life lives within these zones, according to the Oracle Education Foundation. Ocean pollution also contributes to global warming, air pollution and contaminates a main source of the food we receive from the ocean. Fabien Cousteau was interviewed for the article “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” he said that ocean pollution will ultimately come back to haunt us. Cousteau stated, “The pesticides that you spray on your dandelions run off into the oceans and end up in the food chain, which end up back in our plates.” That seems pretty scary, and the worst thing is we are the ones causing the problem. Clearly, ocean pollution is having a harmful affect on all living organisms. Because the affects from ocean pollution are so serious there are organizations currently out there trying to put a stop to it.

In the United States there are tons of organizations doing their part to stop ocean pollution. Some of these organizations include the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Mission Blue, National Marine Life Center (NMLC), and the Natural Research and Defense Council (NRDC).  The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration currently helps coasts nationwide and also does an average of fourteen projects annually. These projects include cleaning up beaches and waterways, monitoring where marine debris is most commonly found, and the removal of derelict fishing gear. The National Marine Life Center is also constantly hosting educational classes, completing community service projects and raising money to go towards redeveloping ocean life. Even though all of these organizations are doing their part to conserve the ocean, does not mean we cannot.

           

It is very important that everyone puts a little effort into saving our oceans and stop ocean pollution. The simplest way for everyone is to reduce, reuse and recycle. Other ways to help out are making sustainable seafood choices, helping take care of the beaches, keeping the sidewalks and streets clean of trash, choosing eco-friendly traveling, finding out what is going on in your community and being an example to others. Or you could always donate money to an organization of your choice. You do not donate money if you do not wish, but please at least do something little, every bit helps.

Ocean Pollution is a serious problem in today’s world. Remember just because you do not live near the ocean does not mean you are not affected by its problems. I Am Ocean, an organization to create public awareness about ocean pollution stated, “With every breath we breathe and every drop of water we drink, we are connected to the ocean. It is our life support system, giving us more than half the oxygen we breathe, regulating climate, and providing valuable resources.” We must take care of our oceans.

            Bibliography:

Answers.com. “What Percentage of the Ocean Water is Polluted?” Answers.com. Wiki, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2011.

Mission Blue. “Mission Blue: A Commitment to Protect the Ocean.” Nationgoraphic.com. NG, 2010. Web. 19 Apr. 2011.

National Marine Life Center. “Mission, Vision, & Values.” Nmlc.org. Word Press, 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2011.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Noaa.gov. NOAA Marine Debris Program, 06 Nov. 2010. Web. 19 Apr. 2011.

National Research Defense Council. “Ocean Solutions.” Nrdc.org. NDRC, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.

The Oprah Winfrey Show. “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” Oprah.com. OPRAH, 22 Apr. 2009. Web. 14 Apr. 2011.

Oracle Education Foundation. “Ocean Pollution.” Thinkqueast.org. ThinkQuest, 8 Feb. 2002. Web. 14 Apr. 2011.