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April 9, 2024

4 Ways to Tackle Plastic Pollution for Earth Month

Estimated reading time: 0 minutes

Topics: Plastics

Credit: Jackson Kowalski/Pacific Whale Foundation

 

To kick off Earth Month, Oceana is shining a spotlight on one of the most pressing issues our oceans face: plastic pollution. Found floating on the ocean’s surface, washing up on the most remote coastlines, melting out of Arctic Sea ice and sitting on the deepest points of the ocean floor, plastic pervades every corner of our blue planet.

Once hailed as a revolutionary material for its versatility and convenience, plastic has now sparked a global crisis, posing a threat to marine ecosystems, wildlife, climate and even human health.

An estimated 15 million metric tons of plastic wash into the ocean every year, which is roughly equivalent to dumping two garbage trucks full of plastic into the oceans every minute! When plastic enters the ocean, it does not biodegrade. It breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces that are swallowed by marine animals from fish and sea turtles to whales, dolphins and seabirds. Ocean animals can also become entangled in plastic leading to physical trauma, drowning or choking to death.

Oceana Canada and the Oceana offices around the world are working to tackle the plastic pollution crisis at the source. We’re doing this by urging government leaders to pass policies that reduce plastic production and require companies to phase out unnecessary single-use plastic products. This Earth Month, you can join us by taking meaningful action to protect our oceans, wildlife and communities from the perils of plastic pollution!

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED THIS EARTH MONTH

Take the plastic pledge

Join a growing group of passionate ocean advocates and take the plastic pledge, committing to help the oceans by tackling plastic pollution.

Give to the cause

Oceana Canada has successfully campaigned to end the shark fin trade, make rebuilding depleted fish populations the law, improve the way fisheries are managed and protect marine habitat. Globally, Oceana has won more than 25 victories to reduce single-use plastic pollution in the countries where we work, including here at home and in Belize, Brazil, Chile, Spain and the United States. This month, when you give to Oceana Canada, you’re joining us in tackling the greatest threats facing our oceans, including plastic pollution, and investing in the future of our planet!

Take action

Your voice can help stop the flow of plastic pollution. Stand for the oceans and sign our petition, asking the Government of Canada to ban false solutions to the plastic disaster, like burning plastic as a form of recycling, and instead prioritize refillable and reusable alternatives to single-use plastics.

Spread awareness

Explore our resources for parents and teachers to help teach young ocean enthusiasts about the world around them and how they can help protect our oceans from threats like plastic pollution.

We hope you’ll join us this Earth Month to help tackle plastic pollution. Together, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution and pave the path for a healthier, more sustainable future for our oceans.

Orange and yellow corals and anemones on a rocky substrate, with a school of fish in a blue ocean in the background.
Credit: Juan Cuetos/Oceana