For this week's blog I had to look back at the semester and decide what I feel is the most pressing threat to our environment. I feel that our reliance on plastic is the greatest threat facing our environment because of its long-lasting and harmful effects.
A dangerous amount of plastic that gets in to the environment works its way in to the bodies of the inhabitants. This can lead to animals higher up on the food chain receiving dangerous amounts of plastic in their digestive system. Solid plastics can be accidentally eaten as well, as shown by birds swallowing bags that they confused for jellyfish. Regardless, both of these effects lead to a sicker and sicker environment. Too many plastics can even lead to dead zones appearing in the ocean.
As a society we can lower our dependence on plastics. A person at home could easily avoid throwing away or purchasing disposable cutlery or cups. Another could carry around a reusable water bottle. On the governmental level, we could much better regulate what products carry plastics and how plastics may be used. A ban on microplastics would go a long way in preventing future damage too.
The most interesting thing I learned this year was the cycle of trash in America. It was awesome seeing the efforts made in my area to contain and reduce waste. On the other hand, it was discouraging to see how so much of our dirty waste is sent off to third world cultures. It was depressing to see the effects these dirty wastes have on the locals of said countries. I hope that we can find an ethical and efficient fix to this entire issue.
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