An Ocean Without Plastics? By Sofonie Dala, Angola

 Life below water - Oceans without plastics

Every year, between 4 and 12 million metric tons of plastic enter the world's oceans. And that amount is projected to triple in the next 20 years.

The problem is growing into a crisis. There’s still a lot of work to do, but we’re committed to the long struggle to reduce ocean plastic pollution.

We need urgent action to address the global plastic pollution epidemic

In the ocean, plastic pollution impacts sea turtles, whales, seabirds, fish, coral reefs, and countless other marine species and habitats. Thousands of animals, from small finches to blue whales, die grisly deaths from eating and getting caught in plastic. In fact, birds, fish, turtles, and marine mammals cannot distinguish a piece of plastic from food.

Animals that swallow plastic are more likely to die from starvation because their stomach is unable to digest plastic fibers, therefore affecting their capacity to eat real food.

At this pace, experts predict that our oceans could be home to more plastic than fish by 2050.

Think before you dispose of plastic

Every action we take has an impact on life below water, and often the consequences are irreversible. Now, more than ever, we need sustainable, affordable, and easy-to-use alternatives to plastics. If reusing and recovering items is not enough anymore, we should reword the 3Rs principle in terms of Rethinking, Reinventing and Redesigning the products that we use every day.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In September 2015, the United Nations (UN) established a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) covering a broad range of global issues with an overarching sustainable development agenda to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity. The 17 global goals have specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.

SDG 14 is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to marine environments,