Oceans constitute around 70% of the surface of earth and are an important part of the ecological cycle. Water is the most important recourse. All living things need water. Oceans are the biggest suppliers of water. However, the water supplied by oceans is becoming polluted. Harmful or toxic substances are being constantly dumped into the ocean. This puts plants and organisms at great risks. Oceans are a part of the natural cycle. Ocean pollution effects more than just plants and animals. It affects us too.
What can you do
Here are some ways you can help stop ocean pollution: Use environmentally safe products, a compost bin, pick up after your pets, properly dispose of your trash, recycle everything you can, don’t litter, and report illegal trash dumping. You can help save our oceans.
People produce trash and we need a place to dispose of all of this garbage. In the 1980’s and 1990’s people started dumping trash into the oceans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took notice. They decided to act. They enforce a stricter law that prohibited the dumping of trash into the ocean. The pollution has been greatly reduced. However, other countries around the world continue to dump trash.
Floating trash island
Most ocean pollution is a cause of runoffs. Other land based pollution is caused by humans. Many industries are dumping waste and sludge. Wrecked ships and plastic materials floating in the ocean could potentially clog water ways. When trash dumped in to the ocean collects it can form a carpet of trash the size of Texas.