Make our Oceans Clean Again: End Ocean Pollution and save Aquatic Animals Everywhere!

The beach is a beautiful and serene place for family and friends, but ocean pollution is causing a threat to us humans and all animals living in the ocean. Coming together, we can work to help the lives and health of people and animals all around the world.


Ocean Pollution

Did you know that about 1.4 billion pounds of trash enter the ocean every year? Anybody walking along the beach or fishing in the ocean has the ability to throw their trash anywhere but the trash can. This includes food, wrappers, empty bottles, plastic, paper, etc. This pollution gets swept up and taken to out to sea and to the bottom of the ocean. This pollutes water and spreads bacteria throughout. Anybody/thing can be harmed by these germs and physical trash. Also, other pollutants that enter are discarded fishing gear. All of these pollutants contribute to make the oceans hazardous, but we can help make our oceans clean again.


How does this Harm Animals?

As these pollutants are contaminating the oceans, so how is it affecting our wildlife? Each year, over 100,000 aquatic animals are killed. Also, over 1 million seabirds are also killed by plastic waste. Many fish will mistake the trash for food and eat it, resulting in their deaths or poisoning. Fish and mammals can be get very injured by swallowed debris and bacteria. Animals can get stuck in plastic trash and be suffocated, cut, or left injured. Plants can also be contaminated. For example, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are essential elements for plant growth. However, if they are overabundant in a body of water, they can stimulate an overgrowth of algae called an algal bloom. Some algal blooms can be harmful because they can have a negative effect on living organisms. Also, an excess of nutrients entering an ocean can cause hypoxic or dead zones. When large amounts of algae sink and decompose in the water, it consumes oxygen and decreases the supply available to animals. These animals will die or leave the area. In general, the entire ecosystem under the sea is affected by ocean pollution in a very negative way.


How does this Harm People?

Not only do our own actions affect wildlife, they affect us, too. An estimated 1,000 children in India die everyday due to disease caused by polluted water. Because of this, the global economy spends $12.8 billion a year in death and disease. If the seafood we eat has been contaminated by pollution, it can be harmful for us to eat, and can cause disease and death. Also, this can be caused by just swimming or doing any water activities in the ocean and accidentally swallowing the bacteria. No longer are our beaches clean and clear, or even enjoyable. We can fix this, by making a change in our lives, not only to save animals, but ourselves.


How can you help?

You can help by never, ever, ever littering. Always find the nearest trash can, and make sure to recycle as often as possible. You can make a change by going to a near beach and picking up trash. Some programs you can visit for more info and help are The Water Protection Program and the Water Pollution Control Program. Take a stand today for what’s right, and make our oceans clean again!