Ocean Pollution

Ocean Pollution by PETER MA

image by nrdc

The majority of pollutants going into the ocean come from activities on land. Natural processes and human activities along the coastlines and far inland affect the health of our ocean. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "the biggest source of pollution is called non-point source pollution which comes from cars, trucks, tanks, boats, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas." (noaa.gov)  Covering more than 70 percent of our planet, oceans are among the earth’s most valuable natural resources. "They govern the weather, clean the air, help feed the world, and provide a living for millions. They also are home to most of the life on earth, from microscopic algae to the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet."(nrdc.org) Yet we’re bombarding them with pollution.

Facts and Statistics

image by noaa

- Ocean covers more than 70 percent of Earth (nrdc.org)
- 80 percent of marine pollution comes from land (nrdc.org)
-Depletion of oxygen content in the water
-Effect of toxic waste on marine animal (failure in the reproductive system of marine animals)
- Contaminates food chain (noaa.gov)
-Effect human health
-Plastics are the most common element found in the ocean today. Plastic in particular is harmful to the environment as it does not break down easily and is often mistaken as food by marine animals. (marineconservation.org) 
-18 billion pounds of trash winds up in our ocean (rubiconglobal)
-fishes and marine animal can not tell the difference between plastic and food
- China and Indonesia are the world's biggest contributor to plastic pollution (nrdc.org)

The Importance of Cleaning our Oceans

image by marine conservation

The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth, it is the planet’s life support system. Oceans generate half of the oxygen we breathe and, at any given moment, they contain more than 97% of the world’s water. Oceans provide at least a sixth of the animal protein people eat. Living oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reduce climate change impacts. The diversity and productivity of the world’s oceans is a vital interest for humankind. Our security, our economy, our very survival all require healthy oceans. 

Personal Impaction 

me with a nice yellowtail!

Ocean pollution is a social issue that will impact everyone. I chose this issue because my hobby is to go fishing with my family and friends. Fishing has been my therapy and to see the beauty of nature. Also most of my protein comes from the ocean as well. If the ocean gets even more polluted than how it is now, all the fishes in the ocean will be contaminated, therefore, there will not be the opportunity to go fishing and harvest food. 

Community Member's Viewpoint
Dan Thai (fishing buddy)- "It angers me when I see people not cleaning after themselves at the beach and just littering, how hard is it to just clean up."
Vo Ma (Dad)- "Soon or later, I do not want to eat anything that comes out of our ocean. The water is too dirty." 
Jennifer (Fishing friend)- "I hope people can take care of the ocean, so future generation can experience the greatness of our ocean." 

Resources
-https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts-education-resources/ocean-pollution
- https://www.nrdc.org/stories/ocean-pollution-dirty-facts
- https://marine-conservation.org/what-we-do/advocate/why-we-protect-our-oceans/