Water Pollution

Water Pollution is a big problem in our environment. Around 70% of waste from our industry is dumped into the water, and more than 6 billion pounds of garbage and plastic ends up in the ocean each year. When all of this trash is littered, winds blow and carry it into streams or rivers and can end up in oceans. There are so many ways that water can get contaminated, but the biggest is littering. This is a big problem, and we need to make a change now. 

Marine Life

Not only are humans affected by water pollution, but marine life is greatly impacted by it. One of these problems are garbage patches. Garbage patches are when a bunch of trash forms together in the ocean and they float together in big clumps. These are an issue not only because of the contamination, but marine life gets trapped in these patches and get harmed or killed. When the water is contaminated, these chemicals get into food chains which harms it. It affects marine life in so many different ways, it ruins their habitats and environment making it harder to survive. More than 1,000 species of marine life are affected by water pollution, and it is estimated that 100 million animals die each year.

Human Impact

 It also affects humans too. Lots of diseases get spread to humans through contaminated water, and cancer is spread. There are many contaminants such as heavy metals, chemicals, nutrients, plastics, etc.. that are carried out to the sea. Drinking water supplies for humans are greatly affected by contamination. Freshwater has become more scarce and less available, and will only get worse in the future. Without taking action, by 2050 we could have a global demand for water that will be ⅓ greater than it is now. Water pollution is a worldwide problem that began around the mid 19th century and has only gotten worse and worse to this day. 

Reduce Plastic Consumption

We need to make a change in how we consume and dispose of plastics and products. We need to prevent litter from ending up on the ground and in waters. If we reduce plastic consumption and recycle products properly, it could make a world difference. It may not fully solve the issue, but it would lessen it very much. This plan could help people realize more and more of the issue that we have with our oceans, lakes, and rivers. There are not many downsides to this idea, although we would need a substitute for the plastic that we wouldn’t be using as much. For example, if I’m going to the store and will no longer be using a plastic bag, instead we would need more cloth materialized bags to use that would be more eco-friendly. 

Do Your Part

So how can you make a difference? Well, if we want to make a real change in our world, it’s going to take all of us. This is important for everyone because the more people that are in it to help, the quicker and easier it will be to get our economy healthy again. Start doing the simple things such as recycling, or if you’re in public pick up trash on the ground before it makes its way to someplace such as an ocean. Involve friends and family, put it out there on social media, you could ask your church to get a group together, and so much more. You could even go around to public areas and raise awareness about cleaning up trash and disposing of it properly. It’s now or never, and anything helps.

Disposing Materials and More

If you have already reduced your use of plastic but still use it, make sure you dispose of it correctly. It’s beyond important that you dispose of any material the correct way by either throwing it away or recycling it. Some may think “Oh but I’m only one person, I won’t make a change” but that is not true, each and every person that litters or disposes of materials wrongly, is adding to the issue. Do everything in your power that could make a difference. There’s so many other ways of helping, little things like reducing your water use by turning the water off in between brushing your teeth, or maintaining your car so there are not any oil or chemical leaks, and so much more. Everyone needs to do their part for the sake of our Earth, aquatic life, and ourselves.

Cites

 May 14, and 2018 Melissa Denchak. “Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know.” NRDC, www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know#:~:text=Some%2080%20percent%20of%20the.

Suner, Murat. “Types and Effects of Water Pollution | FairPlanet.” Fair Planet, www.fairplanet.org/story/types-and-effects-of-water-pollution/#:~:text=Destruction%20of%20ecosystems.

Nathanson, Jerry A. “Water Pollution | Causes, Effects, & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 29 Nov. 2018, www.britannica.com/science/water-pollution.