We have known for quite some time about the widespread contamination of our oceans with plastics. What I do not understand is: why do we not immediately stop doing something once we have become aware of its detrimental effects on the environment? These discoveries should dominate every news channel world wide; and those responsible for such circumstances should be required to cease and desist what they are doing. The problem is that most of the practices that continue to negatively impact our world are carried out by billion dollar corporations. Corporate enterprises are made up of people just like you and me; but no one person assumes responsibility. Therefore; the cause of the problems we face remain blameless in the name of profit. The compassion shown by a handful of individuals is snuffed out and the unconscionable deeds continue.
Not so long ago, we purchased soap in simple paper wrappers. Today, bar soap and soap dishes have given way to giant plastic bottles with pumps and sprayers. Dispensers of body washes, shampoo, hand soap and hand sanitizer line our store shelves. When empty, they are rarely recycled. Laundry and cleaning products, cat litter, cases of bottled water and enhanced waters, tubs of salad and fruits, plastic utensils, makeup and lotions, hardware, over-the-counter and pharmaceutical drugs – in fact nearly everything – is packaged in difficult to open containers that are thrown away without a second thought.
Ninety percent of our seabirds contain plastic in their stomachs due to the vast amounts of plastic that get washed up on shores. Kamilo Beach in Hawaii and Henderson Island in the south Pacific are two of the most polluted places on Earth. Shearwaters unknowingly feed plastic to their newly hatched chicks, mistaking it for food, so most of their offspring do not survive. Whales and dolphins also contain plastic in their guts and sea turtles are known to eat plastic bags. These plastics cause internal injuries, lacerations, infections, and poisoning to these innocent creatures.
Much of our own food now contains microplastics. Our clothing is made with plastic threads and spandex, which are other forms of plastic. Polyester has replaced much of the cotton and other natural fibers that our clothing used to be made of. Polyester is also derived from plastic. All of these plastics require crude oil, natural gas, and coal for their manufacturing – all taken from inside the earth. The plastics that we unwittingly consume are making us sick, too. The doctors and hospitals don’t mind; however, because they are getting rich off of so many sick patients. There is also widespread use of plastics in the entire medical industry.
Plastic has become so prevalent in our modern world that it is like a fungus spreading into every nook and cranny of life as we know it. Are we, as this human race, willing to change, to save the world and ourselves? That is the big question.
