Article on environment and plastic pollution
Answers
Plastic, the wonder material that we use for everything and which pollutes our environment, is perhaps the most harmful of trash dumped by mariners and sea-goers in sea because it does not readily break down in nature. In-fact, the plastic that goes over the side today may still be around in hundreds of years to foul up the fishing gear, boat propellers, and beaches of future generations.
Careless disposal of plastic can have dire consequences. A plastic bag looks like a tasty jellyfish to an indiscriminate feeder like the sea turtle, but plastic is indigestible. It can choke, block the intestines of, or cause infection in those animals that consume it.
A plastic bag can also clog an outboard engine’s cooling system. Lost or discarded monofilament fishing line can foul propellers, destroying oil seals and lower units of engines, or it can become an entangling web for fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.
According to the Centre for Marine Conservation, over 25,000 pieces of fishing line were collected from U.S. beaches during the 1996 annual beach clean-up and at least 40% of all animal entanglements reported during the clean-ups involved fishing line.
Answer:
Environment And Plastic Pollution
Plastic products are not bio-degradable and can remain unchanged for many years. Plastic are cheap and can be used to manufacture many products. But the overuse of plastics products has become a hazard for the environment and life. Exposure to toxic chemicals emitted by plastics causes cancer, decreases the effectiveness of the immune system, and is responsible for many other diseases.
The dumping of plastic bags, plastic bottles, etc. has created an unhygienic condition to our environment. Plastic litter has become major pollution to our towns and cities.
Plastic products, especially plastic bags find their way into rivers and oceans. They are swallowed by fish, seabirds, and other marine creatures leading to death by suffocation.
Plastic products including plastic bags are often disposed of by burning and this releases poisonous gases into the atmosphere. This pollutes the air we breathe and increases global warming.
To prevent plastic pollution, reduce the use of plastic products. If the demand is less, production will decrease. Say "No" to plastic bags. Refuse any plastic bags from shop owners when you are shopping. Carry your own shopping bag.
Carefully separate plastic products from other garbage for recycling.
Stop buying plastic products. Replace plastic bags with bags made of biodegradable materials like cotton and jute and recycled paper bags.
Stop burning plastic as a means of waste disposal. The toxic gases released pollute the air we breathe. It increases global warming. Don't buy bottled water. Always carry your non-plastic water bottle.