Sammy is shocked how Microplastics are affecting seals and other marine life
Microplastics, abandoned fishing gear and other plastic pollution are among the biggest threats for our oceans and marine life. It’s hurting sea animals like Sammy and his friends and making them sick.
Plastic waste is littering our oceans and affecting millions of marine animals. Seals, whales, dolphins, seabirds, turtles and other sea animals are becoming sick or even dying because of this deadly environmental concern.
Microplastics are a major part of this issue. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic which are created when larger plastic breaks down in saltwater and UV-light.
Sea animals often ingest microplastics with their diet or just taking it in swimming in the ocean. Those microplastics contain toxic chemicals, which can increase the chance of diseases and can affect reproduction of the animals. After ingesting a certain amount of microplastics, seals can become very sick. They often never fully recover and may suffer for months or years before they die.
In 2014, an estimated 15 to 51 trillion microplastic particles were floating in the world’s oceans, weighing between 93,000 and 236,000 tonnes.
Sammy wants to stop this craziness. He know what everyone can start doing today for the sake of our Oceans and Sammy and his friends:
- Always bring a re-usable water bottle
- Skip the straw
- Use products made from post consumer materials
Sources:
https://www.worldanimalprotection.org
http://onedollarfortheocean.org/