Help the Ocean, it's Sinking!

Camila Carlo

When you think about the beach, what do you think about? The clear water in Cabo? Or maybe the greenish-aqua colored water in Hawaii? Whatever it is, at the rate we are going, the future generations will not relate the beach to beauty, they will relate it to trash. Do you really want to be 103 years old telling your grand-children about how clean the oceans were once upon a time? No? Then let's work together to possibly create more awareness about this issue and hopefully help before it is too late.

Image result for ocean trash
It is estimated that about 17 million pounds of trash go into the ocean each year. The healthy oceans that once occupied the Earth are now turning into trash cans for many citizens of this planet. Not only does the trash put into the ocean ruin the oceans themselves, but they also put in danger the billions of lives that the ocean serves as a home for. Millions of animals die each year, mainly due to the incredible amount of straws, bags, and other plastic items that go into the ocean.



Image result for turtle dying from plastic
75% of land-based ocean trash is waste that eventually made its way to the ocean, causing a lot of harm. At this rate, by 2025 there will be one ton of plastic per every three tons of fish in the ocean. Think about it. 1:3 ratio, crazy right? Oceans make up the majority of our planet and us humans don't even truly see how quickly our oceans are changing right in front of our eyes. Point is, we need to do something about this. Now. 

Image result for ocean plastic
What do you think we can do to help this problem?
Do you think that future generations will ever get to see clean oceans?
How do you think us teens can make others more aware of this issue?

https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2016/08/22/the-problem-of-ocean-trash/


Comments

Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
January 22, 2019 at 10:10 AM
Anonymous said…
I really hope that future generations can enjoy clear oceans like ours does. If something isn’t done soon, we won’t have it for much longer. Many teens litter without even thinking about it, simply because they aren’t patient enough to wait until they reach a trash can. Plastic straws and plastic bags are very harmful to our oceans and turtles especially. I think the most detrimental part of waste in the oceans is the effect it has on animals. Us teens can generate more awareness by reminding our peers not to litter, especially when we see them doing so.
January 22, 2019 at 10:28 AM
Anonymous said…
I honestly have no idea whether or not future generations will be able to see clear oceans. The rate of climate change and pollution is only going up, and doesn’t seem to be halting or slowing down anytime soon. We need to find out some way to clean up all this trash or at least reduce it, as it is killing innocent fish populations and causing multiple species to go extinct. Soon, common species such as turtles, or dolphins, may be endangered, and future generations may not be able to enjoy them as we did. We must spread awareness of the issue and figure out a way to reduce waste in general, not just in the oceans.
January 22, 2019 at 10:37 AM
Anonymous said…
Some steps that we can individually take to reduce ocean pollution include using less plastic and more reusable items. When shopping use a reusable bag, store food in non disposable containers, and recycle whenever possible! Plastic that we dispose of can end up in the ocean killing thousands of marine animals annually. There are simple solutions to protecting the ocean, it comes down to whether we take action or not. We are given the power to stop our current rate of pollution and minimize our impact on the environment, however we still choose convenience. It may take extra effort, but the effort is worth it if it means we still have a place to call home.
January 22, 2019 at 10:38 AM
Anonymous said…
The fact that the ocean ratio would eventually become 1:3 in the future, is a shocking but familiar news to people. People just choose not to make anuy moves because majority believes that others would do the cleaning for them. Not everyone in the world is aware of how significant and urgent this problem is. Therefore I think if we want to preserve the ocean from turning into pile of trash, we must raise the awareness of current situation and open up campaigns that would stop people from throwing trashes into the ocean. I believe if we could deliver the urgent news to everyone, the future generation will definitely be able to enjoy the clear and beautiful ocean that we all once enjoyed.
January 22, 2019 at 10:43 AM
Anonymous said…
In situations where waste pollution is immense, I believe the most important thing that people can do is shift public opinion. No matter how many “garbage clean up” events people hold, litter and random dumpling will always occur. Apart from making efforts to stop people from littering, I also believe that the government should enforce laws regarding fines for innapropriate garbage removal. Laws like these should be especially be enforced in these beautiful wildlife locations and I believe that government should take heavy consideration in spreading these laws. Hopefully, an increase in fines and information on public littering will influence people and reduce the rate of litter in which we face today.
January 22, 2019 at 10:50 AM
Anonymous said…
Oceans are becoming more and more polluted and without intervention, pollution in the ocean will only grow. I don’t see future generations being able to see clean oceans as we have seen them. Marine life will die if pollution isn’t decreased. Turtles, dolphins and many other species of marine life will be endangered or cease to exist. This is a harsh reality can be averted if we team up to decrease the amount of waste generated as a whole population, not just in the oceans. If we can do this (decrease plastic use, use more reusable items for example), the oceans can be saved and future generations will be able to see and enjoy the beauty of oceans much like we have today.
January 22, 2019 at 10:58 AM
Anonymous said…
In order to preserve the Ocean, the government should enforce and pass more laws that prohibit littering. If these are stirctly enforced with the consequence of a fine, then the public is likely to reduce their littering. Additionally, instead of using plastic, we should use biodegradable products instead. Although this would be a drastic transition for our society, the benefit of saving our enviornment for future generations makes it worth it. I believer that our future generations will be able to experience the enviornment, maybe even a better one than today, if we make the effort to clean up our oceans through this transition.
January 22, 2019 at 11:01 AM
Anonymous said…
Just as we have forest preservation laws, we should have more oceanic preservation laws. The world has some amazing oceans, and if we cant preserve them, they will be gone before we know it. We could also use more recyclable products instead of one-time use products, such as reusable water bottles, reusable containers, and other alternatives. Moving to these changes will help start a chain reaction of change throughout the world, making our oceans cleaner and better for the future.
January 22, 2019 at 11:10 AM
Anonymous said…
In order to preserve the ocean, we as human beings should not be so idle and stand by and wait for these problems to fix on their own. While I believe the damage to our ocean is done, with evidence of the Great Barrier Reef, we can still work together to maintain and possibly improve the current state of the ocean. To do this, humans should limit the amount of waste they produce and try to find more eco-friendly ways to go about our business. We should limit the use of plastic because not only does it cause pollution, it also harms animals. If we transition to recyclable products, maybe we still have a hope in bettering our oceans.
January 22, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Unknown said…
The amount of human waste filling our oceans is ridiculous considering how vital they are to our survival. The idea that oceans are changing so much that our grandkids may not see them as beautiful, clean, or full of life should scare humanity into changing our ways. Plastic waste along with old spills and other chemical leakage is all preventable, but it will take time, effort, and sacrifices to achieve. In the end, it'll all be worth it. The key is to constantly monitor places where chemical waste could be spilled, and producing/using less single us, disposable products.
January 22, 2019 at 3:27 PM
Anonymous said…
I think that it's devastating that humans have allowed the ocean to reach such polluted trashed conditions. It's really a shame because we could've easily prevented trashing the oceans to this extent where we don't even know whether future generations may be able to see a clean ocean. I feel as if its really an issue that is based more on how much a person has the will to do good for this world because polluting the ocean may be convenient rather than spending money or wasting efforts to go and find a better place to place the trash. We really take the ocean for granted as this mass body of water that is like a sort of a black hole where we assume that one piece of trash won't really make a difference, but due to this type of thinking the "black hole" like ocean is becoming seriously polluted and dangerous to animals. If there was a strict fine for polluting the ocean just like Dubai's strict clean car law where dust on a car gets fined for safety hazards people -- even though they may not like it -- will have to reluctantly follow and we've reached a point where maybe this may be the only solution. The more people we get on board for protecting the ocean with awareness the better because a ton of helping hands is more than one.
January 22, 2019 at 4:12 PM
Anonymous said…
I agree that the government needs to do more about the pollution in the oceans. It harms endangered species, and makes the water ugly and unenjoyable. There are already littering fines, but those are not strictly enforced. I believe harsher laws could help the issue. Another possible solution would be to not allow any non-biodegradable materials into parks or beaches or lakes.
January 22, 2019 at 5:54 PM
Anonymous said…
I think one major change that we can make in order to prevent trash ending up in the ocean is moving landfills more inland so that they do not move into the ocean. Also, a lot of trash that ends up in the ocean comes from sewer systems. I’m not suggesting that we try to clean sewer systems, but I do think we can try not to dump waste into sewer systems. Also, I believe that we may be able to tell future generations about beaches being nice if we attempt to sustainably waste. Recycling materials whenever possible is a great way to help the environment and delay the process of trash moving into the ocean. We can make others aware by just showing them the Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch. Those pictures can truly show people how badly we need to stop wasting so much and start recycling.
January 22, 2019 at 6:52 PM
Anonymous said…
I think that it is very possible that future generations will not being able to grow up with clean oceans.To prevent this possibility from becoming a reality, it is very important that the government enforces stricter laws, that will prevent people and businesses from littering. Also, the public needs to be informed about the harmful effect that trash has on the ocean. People often take the oceans for granted, and do not realize the significant damage they are doing to it. If the current levels of waste entering the ocean continues to grow, the effects will be devastating for the marine population, as well as humans. However, if awareness on the issue is raised and sensible laws are passed, future generations will definitely be able to enjoy the variety of benefits and enjoyments that oceans provide.
January 22, 2019 at 8:46 PM
Anonymous said…
People often forget about the impact of all the waste brought into the ocean. Jjst at our very shores in texas the ocean has changed so drastically so quickly. Spreading awareness is the first step the next is action. While donating can help volunteers are greatly needed. When you throw away things such as the plastic soda container cut the circles to prevent animals from becoming trapped. When you go to the beach make sure you pick up all of the trash you have brought and maybe pick up some you see that isn’t yours.
January 23, 2019 at 9:34 AM
Anonymous said…
Honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if our generation won’t be able to see clear oceans in a few years at our current rate of water pollution. For future generations, they’ll be at a disadvantage because at least we can be see what clear oceans are in person, while the future will only be able to see it in pictures. Sea life won’t even be something we could even see at a zoo(horrible environment I know)with how bad we are treating them right now. I would recommend much more harsh provisions to how we treat the ocean and wildlife, after a few generations possibly the damage can be reversed. Also, the community should definitely have moire awareness projects and pick up litter around the water lines and even our own backyards in Flower Mound.
January 23, 2019 at 12:55 PM
Anonymous said…

unknown is Bianca
January 23, 2019 at 3:43 PM
Anonymous said…
Many people live by saying “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,” and those same people take their oceans for granted, not realizing that the ocean is suffering and needs to be fixed. The fact that 17 million pounds of trash goes to the ocean each year is horrific, considering how much animal life will die from the immense pollution. A huge problem is people that live away from oceans do not consider it their place to take on this issue, even though everyone can help in the ocean conservation effort. People in landlocked areas need to become aware and take action as well. The government is pulling back on conservation efforts and climate change prevention efforts and focusing on business prospects, which is very discouraging. For the next generations to experience clean oceans, we need to take action now! This can be done by increasing taxes and/or giving incentives to people to not litter when visiting the ocean and to businesses near the ocean that throw their waste away into the ocean. Just during Christmas break, I visited Florida, and when my family and I were walking by the beach, we saw restaurant workers emptying the trash for the day into the ocean. Acts such as this are unacceptable because nature is not a wastebasket and people should be held accountable for their ignorant actions. In addition, teens like ourselves can help the ocean conservation effort by simply changing certain habits in our own households such as using plastic straws, putting recycling into the trash, etc.
January 24, 2019 at 7:18 AM
Anonymous said…
To help take care of the bleach we can attempt to Influence change in pour community and support those organizations who work to protect the ocean. And I think that the government can help with this issue. They can pass a law where people caught throwing trash into the beach is putting the sea life in danger and polluting the ocean and get a fine. After that people will begin to notice the change. I do think future generations will be able to view a clean ocean because by then hopefully the government will do something about it and their will be new technologies to help clean the ocean like a big net or something. As a teenager I believe we can show others that beaches can be a fun place to relax and go for a swim only when it is clean. Polluting it, ruins it for everyone.
January 24, 2019 at 7:47 AM
Anonymous said…
Our community*
January 24, 2019 at 7:48 AM
Anonymous said…
It is surprising every time I hear about pollution in the ocean and how harmful it is to the sea creatures. However, none of is this is new and many people are aware of it. At this rate, our future generations will never be able to see the beautiful and clear oceans, but there are many things that we can do to help this. The most common thing that everyone and anyone can do is recycle. Everyone knows and can recycle. They just choose not to because it takes a little extra effort. There can be stricter rules for people who visit the beach for vacation. Also, there can be more programs that people can volunteer to pick up trash along the beachside.
January 24, 2019 at 10:09 AM
Anonymous said…
I think it’s sad that the future generations won’t get to witness the beauty. But the important aspect is that animals are dying and we are so dehumanized by the regularity of this happening that we don’t take the proper actions that one must take. What is one piece of litter do? is what we think but that one, becomes more. I think we must change our attitude toward the subject. We are sharing a home and humanizing this issue will encourage people to take action. Change your mindset!
January 24, 2019 at 10:27 AM
Anonymous said…
Everyone knows that there is plastic in the ocean, but I’m really glad you made a point to include the actual statistics and data. It’s one thing to know the oceans are polluted, but another to realize that it’s because 75% of trash ends up in the ocean. Fortunately, there are a lot of organizations and research teams who are devoted to cleaning up trash. I’ve seen some very impressive designs and prototypes of machines that clean plastic faster than humans can. Although we do have many solutions to this proble, I agree that we need to work faster and harder to undo this tragic mistake.
January 24, 2019 at 11:15 AM
Anonymous said…
It seems very likely that future generations will not be able to see clear oceans as the current rate of water pollution seems to be increasing indefinitely. I think a major issue that contributes to this is because the portion of the population that does not live near the ocean don’t pay attention to its importance. Society today takes the ocean for granted and I think we can help spread awareness to this issue by promoting less use of plastic and cleaning up trash on beaches and ports. Individuals can change the amount of trash going into the ocean just by making simple lifestyle changes in their households, such as recycling, cutting down on paper and plastic bags for reusable bags, and purchasing reusable water bottles and straws. This could help decrease the amount of waste in the ocean immensely, as only a few people need to start advocating for conservation to encourage communities to work together on this issue. Even if you do not live near the ocean, this should still be a topic of concern for everyone and I think us teens can help spread awareness by making changes in our very own house.
January 24, 2019 at 11:33 AM
Anonymous said…
I feel as people are ignorant to the problem because they are not seeing it in person. Sure, there are pictures and videos of the trash, but I believe that change is taking so long to occur because people are brushing off the issue as not pertinent. However, the truth is that we need to start making change now. Even though we can’t see all of the effects at the moment, the ocean trash will end up having devastating consequences in the future. For example, the trash is harming ocean life. What is going to happen when many ocean species vital to the fishing industry die out due to the trash? Even so, there are many things that we can do to help this issue slow down and even reverse its effects. Everyone can do their part in eliminating trash waste by refusing plastic straws and containers in favor of reusable alternatives. We can also spread awareness about the issue and its possibly dire effects. Although many people are reluctant to do something to help, change must happen and it must happen fast in order to preserve the ocean for generations to come.
January 24, 2019 at 4:05 PM
Anonymous said…
This is shocking, as the oceans have long been a symbol of beauty, and seeing them get destroyed is terrible. I think that we can all do our part, by working to help pick up trash along coastlines, and make sure all of our trash is where it needs to be. I think that if we all do our part, we can indeed save the oceans, and future generations can enjoy it as much we do. We as teens, can help by spreading awareness, volunteering, and lobbying for policies to help prevent the large amount of wastage in our oceans.
January 24, 2019 at 6:22 PM
Unknown said…
Knowing that oceans cover 75% of the Earth and that by 2025, 1/3 of the oceans will be drowned in trash is a scary thought. Simple actions like not littering and cleaning up after ourselves at the beach can make a huge impact on the amount of trash that ends up in the oceans. If enough people act on this and help the cause, future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of the oceans even more than we have. A big part of this is spreading awareness and letting people know the detrimental effects of trash in the oceans, on the environment in addition to sea life. I think that if more people know about this problem and its effects, then more people will also help the cause and try to save the oceans.
January 25, 2019 at 4:34 PM
Anonymous said…
At the rate that the ocean is becoming polluted, it’s difficult to predict whether or not future generations will get to know of the ocean in the same way that we do. Teens may be a part of the problem, adding to the amount of waste already in the ocean, but is teens also have a great opportunity to help fix these problems. We can use our social media platforms to bring attention to amount of trash that is going into our oceans and negatively affecting our marine life. 17 million pounds of waste annually is an unacceptable statistic that we must work hard to change.
January 25, 2019 at 8:12 PM
Anonymous said…
The problem lies in the overuse of plastic as the material for everything. Bags, cups, toothbrushes, rulers, and such. Paper is a more environmental friendly alternative, as it is easier to recycle or burn, so there is less incentive to dump it into the ocean. Unfortunately, paper has its own problems. It's created from trees, so the use of paper leads to deforestation. Paper products are more expensive to produce than their plastic alternative, so industry sees no reason to use paper. Paper is also less waterproof. However, switching from plastic everything to paper everything will lower the rate of ocean pollution.
January 25, 2019 at 9:41 PM
Anonymous said…
Ocean pollution is one of the most widely known problems that affects the Earth. We see people plogging (a new revalation of people running and picking up trash), Television advertisements, ASPCA commercials, the whole nine yards. Ocean pollination affects our food and water sources significantly by killing off unsuspecting animals with plastic rings or straws. In order to fight this we need to clean our ocean and find a new way to recycle plastics while still recycling normally. We should strive to let other generations see the beauty we were able to see in the world so then they caN be inspired to keep the planet happy and healthy.
January 28, 2019 at 10:37 AM
Anonymous said…
Oceans are considered one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. However, we constantly find ways to destroy these beautiful landscapes. We can help this problem by making decisions that benefit the earth, even if it is inconvenient. We can start by picking up trash that we see. Also, since a lot of this trash is coming from fishermen, we can encourage them to use biodegradable mzaterials for tools. A way this can be encouraged is by putting larger taxes on the lines that are not good for the environment. As teenagers, this might not be our tax to implement, but we can make people more aware to the problem so they might be more sympathetic. Teaching people not to overfill trash cans and making more trash cans available near the ocean so maybe people will litter less could make an impact. But we also have to consider the trash that is already there. There should be funding given to keep the environment clean that can be used to send ships to go retrieve some of the trash in the ocean and dispose of it responsibly.
January 29, 2019 at 4:24 PM
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