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How Oil Spills In The Ocean Affect Nature

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How Oil Spills In The Ocean Affect Nature

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The world uses nearly 3 billion gallons of oil every single day. We use oil to help fuel our cars, trucks, buses, and to heat our homes. Oil is also made into plastics, which are used to make bottles and smartphones. We rely on oil rigs placed in the middle of the sea to drill for oil or natural gas at the bottom of the ocean. When oil rigs break, it causes oil spills that can severely harm- How is the Environment Affected? animals and plants.
Oil and water do not blend well. When there are oil spills in the ocean, oil floats on the surface of the water, which spreads out into a layer that is thick enough to block sunlight from reaching under the sea.

Oil spills are a major reason that killer whales are endangered . The oil may be eaten or enter the whale's blowhole, which helps them breathe. Whales will rise over the water to take a breath but if the blowhole is plugged with oil, the whale cannot breathe.Other marine animals and organisms that swim through oil can ingest it through their gills, which can kill them or affect their ability to have babies.
Check This Out Next: Plastic Litter in the Ocean Will Triple By 2040 if We Do Nothing To Stop It How do we Clean Up Oil Spills?
An oil spill affects the coastline. O il might get stuck to birds and their feathers . Although bird feathers are naturally waterproof , the oil neutralises their ability to repel water and conserve heat and exposes their sensitive skin to temperature extremes. When birds try to clean themselves, they will accidentally ingest the oil that hurts their liver, lungs, and intestines. Feathers are the most important feature of a bird . They allow birds to jump off the ground and soar in the air at speeds high enough to shoot in and out of water. However, these are only possible if a bird's feathers are healthy.

There are many ways to clean a spill. Dispersants , a type of chemical, are mainly used as a clean-up tool. They can break oil into smaller parts and decompose the bacteria living in the water. However, using dispersants may make the environment worse.

Another method of cleaning up oil spills involves placing a floating barrier around the oil and lighting it on fire , but this usually leads to pollution. Using machines to help separate the oil from the water may work, however, if a leak is ongoing, such a machine may not be able to keep up with the rate of contamination.

When animals arrive at cleaning centres, oil is flushed from their eyes and intestines and then they're examined for broken bones, cuts and other injuries. Next, they get a stomach-coating medicine to prevent any more oil from entering their systems.

We can always raise money and make donations to agencies in charge of the clean-ups, such as the National Wildlife Federation. Cutting down on oil use in everyday life is a great way to help. Walking or using a bike instead of riding in a car can make a huge difference.
Featured image by: Florida Sea Grant
Something a city can do is decide to pave its roads with cement instead of asphalt . This way, we can really work together and make the world a better place and see a better tomorrow.

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How Do Oil Spills Affect the Environment? - Earth.Org Kids

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The world uses nearly 3 billion gallons of oil every single day. We use oil to help fuel our cars, trucks, buses, and to heat our homes. Oil is also made into plastics, which are used to make bottles and smartphones.

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Beyond Plastics - Working To End Single-Use Plastic Pollution

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More than 15 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year. By 2025, experts predict that there will be one pound of plastic in the ocean for every three pounds of fish.

Plastic straws are an unnecessary utensil for the vast majority of people and are usually thrown away after just one use. They may be small and lightweight but they're a BIG problem - Americans use millions of plastic straws each day. These straws are not recyclable so they end up in landfills and incinerators as well as littering our streets, parks and roadsides, clogging our gutters, rivers, lakes, streams, and polluting our environment where they may persist for more than 200 years.

Plastic straws can sicken and kill seabirds, fish, sea turtles, manatees, dolphins and other animals when they get lodged in their noses, throats and stomachs. As plastic straws that are exposed to sunlight, waves, wind and temperature extremes begin to break into smaller pieces, they become "microplastics" - tiny particles that can infiltrate the bodies of all living things, including us humans. The impact of microplastic pollution is not yet well studied but may be a contributing factor to climate change as well as a host of human ills.

In addition, many single-use plastic straws are made from polystyrene, the same plastic used to make what you may think of as "styrofoam" which is a likely human carcinogen. To sum it up, plastic straws are not only bad for sea turtles like this poor creature in the video below, they're also bad for you.

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Plastic Straws - Why They Suck & What YOU Can Do - Beyond Plastics - Working To End Single-Use Plastic Pollution

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More than 15 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year. By 2025, experts predict that there will be one pound of plastic in the ocean for every three pounds of fish. Plastic straws are an unnecessary utensil for the vast majority of people and are usually thrown away after just one use.

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Cardinal works for a school district that offers environmental education for K-12 students and is very successful at getting people engaged.

It's Never Too Early to Start Young

Taken from an innovative kids' environmental education program, here is a list of 27 ways that children can help protect the environment. By starting them young, you will help them develop these methods and ways as the grow into adults who continue to protect the environment. Read below to learn about each item on the list:

1. Precycle.

2. Recycle with purpose!

3. Conserve.

4. Use paper on both sides and make use of scrap paper.

5. Take shorter showers.

6. Use non-toxic cleaners.

7. Use foams and aerosols based on compressed air.

8. Encourage kids to learn to turn things off when not in use.

9. Teach kids the importance of car maintenance and gas usage.

10. Carpool at least once a week.

11. Ride bikes or walk whenever possible.

12. Reduce the use of petroleum.

13. Pick up and properly dispose of trash and recyclables,

14. Inspire awareness of environmental issues.

15. Conserve hot water.

16. Show your children how you care for your home,

17. Use only biodegradable products.

18. Volunteer for tree planting programs or creek cleanups.

19. Properly dispose of hazardous household waste.

20. Use energy-saving light bulbs.

21. Practice doing more with less.

22. Talk to kids about pesticides and other garden chemicals.

23. Start a compost.

24. Plant a tree together .

25. Explain the importance of house insulation.

26. Teach them how to use the thermostat.

27. Use more energy-effective appliances.

27 Ways Kids Can Help Protect the Environment

It is very nice to see kids in the 21st century adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle in early life! Learn more about each one:

1. Precycle. Try to reduce waste before it becomes waste by buying in bulk, only buying what you need, favoring less packaging, using things longer and using them up, sharing resources, etc. Initiating discussions about purchases before they're made (like at the grocery store, for example) is a great way to get kids interested in the idea of precycling.

2. Recycle with purpose! Not all plastics are created equal, and recycling takes some degree of effort. Teach kids how to read the packaging to determine recyclability. The good thing is that if this awareness is created early in life and turned into a habit, recycling becomes a breeze!

3. Conserve. Teach kids how toconserveexisting resources-water and food, for example. Remind them to put food back in the refrigerator and close the door. There are numerous creative ways to conserve water, food, gas, and other products once you put your mind to it. Turn it into a game!

4. Use paper on both sides and make use of scrap paper. With the abundance of personal printers, this becomes very important. Young kids love to doodle; establish the habit of using the other side of printed paper.

5. Take shorter showers. Warm water can be so mesmerizing. A waterproof shower clock is a great environmentally conscious investment that helps your kids stop taking 40 minute showers. :)

6. Use non-toxic cleaners in your house and explain that these are better for the environment. You can even involve them in making natural homemade cleaners. Kids make a lot of mess, do your part to help the environment!

7. Use foams and aerosols based on compressed air rather than other propellants.

8. Encourage kids to learn to turn things off when not in use, especially personal computers and electronics, which consume a lot of energy! With so many things to do, it's so easy to forget to turn something off.

9. Teach kids the importance of car maintenance and gas usage. Ask them to help you work on the car and show them how you dispose of car liquids. Help them do the math to figure out how many miles per gallon your car gets and what factors effect the car's fuel usage.

10. Carpool at least once a week. It's fun and environmentally friendly!

11. Ride bikes or walk whenever possible. This is great exercise and saves not only gas but time because you don't have to drop your kids off everywhere.

12. Reduce the use of petroleum-based products like plastics. Teach kids to recognize which items are made with petroleum.

13. Pick up and properly dispose of trash and recyclables, even if they are not yours. This is a great example of a selfless environmentally friendly act. Take the kids out into the community for a cleaning-and-recycling safari.

14. Inspire awareness of environmental issues. Your kids will have to face these issues during their lifetime!

15. Conserve hot water and reduce the water heater setting by a few degrees during summer months.

16. Show your children how you care for your home, ask them to inform you of leaky faucets and pipes if they see any. Have them hunt the house to discover ways to improve energy retention and reduce waste.

17. Use only biodegradable products-plastic bags, dishes, soaps, etc.

18. Volunteer for tree planting programs or creek cleanups. Seeing firsthand how much trash is in our rivers sends a powerful message for recycling.

19. Properly dispose of hazardous household waste. Find out if your township has a hazardous waste collection program. Properly recycle of used batteries.

20. If you are not already using energy-saving light bulbs, try to put them at least in your kids' rooms. These are only marginally more expensive than "old school" incandescent bulbs and practically pay for themselves by saving you money on electric bill!

21. Practice doing more with less. This implies enjoying the things you already have, repairing instead of replacing, and reusing items for multiple uses. This also teaches kids how to be creative!

22. Talk to kids about pesticides and other garden chemicals and get their help ridding the garden of pests by hand.

23. Start a compost in your yard and get your kids involved. Composting can be done very inexpensively and keeps a lot of waste out of landfills!

24. Plant a tree together and teach them all about the many ways trees benefit our environment.

25. Explain the importance of house insulation, especially during winter months. Ask your kids to avoid keeping their windows open during the winter. Teach them how to use the thermostat, and explain that setting temperature above a certain point only wastes energy!

26. Use more energy-effective appliances and explain their significance to your children.

27. Teach them about Styrofoam. Styrofoam is virtually indestructible and poisons our oceans. If you receive a package with Styrofoam peanuts, save them and reuse them for a craft project or some other creative use.

Fun Environmentally Friendly Activities for Kids

Start Young

These steps have a significant impact of reducing household waste and hazardous household waste. Water conservation is a "drop in the bucket" compared to the needs of modern farming and cattle breeding, but the mindset that can make a huge difference. Raised awareness of people's impact on the environment will help enact more environmentally friendly regulations!
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Lavanya on July 02, 2020:

Because we have written it for the past two years and we have been Influence

Pearl on June 13, 2020:

Not the best app

Lea on April 23, 2020:

OMG! We need to help!

Sonic on April 21, 2020:

Gotta go fast!

adaryiah on February 21, 2020:

I do a on I can to keep clean outside

Samiyyah Jonds on February 17, 2020:

Well.........at least i`m first again

Amazing

Chatterbox fan on January 07, 2020:

I'm bored because nobody chat here anymore

Chatterbox fan on January 06, 2020:

Why don't anybody chat here any more why, why, WHY!

Vegeta on December 07, 2019:

.....I hate you Kakkorat

Goku on December 06, 2019:

I don't know it just get into me Vegeta you should really calm your farms Vegeta!

Vegeta on December 05, 2019:

OF COURSE NOT! ITS NOT EVEN SCARY KAKKORAT WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE ON MY NERVES ALL THE TIME

Goku on December 05, 2019:

Agh, Vegeta is that owl scary to you or is it me

Terminator on December 01, 2019:

I WILL BE BACK TO SEE YOUR OWL

Unknown on December 01, 2019:

Unknown I stole your name MUHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaa............. I stoled your name.

Unknown on November 07, 2019:

Also, there you go COPYRIGHTED!!!!!!!!!

Unknown on November 07, 2019:

Thats what I exactly do Cyber Safety Boy. Anyways, that is a cute owl

Cyber Safety Boy on September 07, 2019:

Don't use your real name use a fake name remember this kids have fun and stay cyber safe

Chatterbox fan on August 12, 2019:

How do I make the owl scared it can't even see me because it's looking straight at a camera

Hy on April 29, 2019:

Good owl

YOUR OWL IS CUTE on April 06, 2019:

YOUR OWL IS CUTE

Annette capel on April 05, 2019:

How many kids do you have in your basement?

zomboby on March 13, 2019:

DADDY

jg on January 17, 2019:

owls are better then fortnite

Pro on January 17, 2019:

FORTNITE FOR LIFE

cami on January 16, 2019:

owl yo

amiyah on January 08, 2019:

that owl is not freaking scary

hihi on January 08, 2019:

why you bully your owl.

marcos on December 19, 2018:

i love fortnite not ugly owls

marcos on December 19, 2018:

i love fortnite

Alice on December 06, 2018:

I love this owl!!!!!!!!!!!!

hello on December 06, 2018:

i did not read

Makah on July 25, 2018:

Oh my god the owl is so scared and creepy so cool at the same time

I was sooooo scared when I saw that owl and bro I'm scared

Isiah Torres on May 25, 2018:

The owl is just to scary that its not even scared. And bruh im scared.

Isiah Torres on May 25, 2018:

hi owl are you important because really your not also um can i make the owl into bacon because it looks super yummy.And bruh look at this dude!!!!Look at the top of his head, look at his lips!!!! Boi get roasted.

JAYVIENRIVERA on May 25, 2018:

hey guys

joe on May 24, 2018:

this site is the best

There you go on May 24, 2018:

53

WeHaveKids"Parenting"Family Activities

26 Ways Kids Can Protect the Environment!

Updated on February 16, 2018

RedCardinal profile imageRedCardinal moreContact Author

The Environment is Worth Protecting

26 Ways to Be Environmentally Friendly

The bullets below have been taken from a kids environmental education program. It is very nice to see that kids in the 21st century learn environmentally friendly lifestyle from the very early days!

1) Precycle - attempt to reduce waste before it becomes waste. The concept is explained in more detail here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precycling

2) Recycle with purpose! Not all plastics are created equal and recycling takes some degree of effort. The good thing is that if this awareness is created early and turned into a habit, recycling becomes a breeze!

3) Teach your kids how to Conserve existing resources - water and food for example. Remind them to put food back in the refrigerator and close the door. There are numerous creative ways to conserve water.

4) Use paper on both sides and make use of scrap paper. With the abundance of personal printers, this becomes very important. Young kids love to doodle, show them how to do this more effectively by using paper on both sides.

5) Encourage taking shorter showers. Warm water can be so mesmerizing. A waterproof shower clock is a great environmentally conscious investment that helps your kids to stop taking 40 minute showers :)

6) Use non-toxic cleaners in your house and explain that these are better for the environment. Kids require a lot of cleaning, do your part to help the environment!

7) Use foams and aerosols based on compressed air rather than other propellants.

8) Help your kids learn to turn things off when not in use. This is especially true of personal computers andelectronics, which can consume a lot of energy! With so many things to do, it's so easy to forget to turn something off.

9) Teach your kids the importance of car maintenance and miles per galon rating. Ask them to work on the car and show them how you dispose of car liquids.

10) Find a way to carpool at least once a week. It's fun and environmentally friendly!

11) Encourage your kids to get a bike and ride it responsibly. This is a great exercise and saves you some time, because you don't have to drop your kids off everywhere.

12) Reduce the use of petroleum based products like plastics.

13) Pick up and properly dispose of trash and recyclables, even if they are not yours. This only takes a second and is a great example of a selfless environmentally friendly act.

14) Spread awareness of environmental issues - your kids will have to face these issues during their lifetime!

15) Conserve hot water and reduce the water heater setting by a few degrees during summer months.

16) Show your children how you care for your home, ask them to inform you of leaky faucets and pipes if they see any.

17) Use biodegradable products - plastic bags, dishes, soaps, etc.

18) Preserve your environment. Volunteer with your kids for tree planting programs or creek cleanups. Seeing first hand how much trash is in our rivers sends a powerful message for recycling.

19) Properly dispose of things including hazardous household waste. Find out if your township has a hazardous waste collection program. Properly recycle of used batteries.

20) If you are not already using energy saving light bulbs, try to put them at least in your kids rooms. These are only marginally more expensive than "old school" ones and practically pay for themselves by saving you money on electric bill!

21) Learn to do more with less. This implies enjoying what you already have more, repairing and reusing existing items! This can also teach kids how to be more creative!

22) Talk to your kids about pesticides and other garden chemicals that you may be using presently. A lot of these end up in the oceans.

23) Start a trial compost project in your backyard and get your kids involved. Composting can be done very inexpensively and keeps a lot of waste out of landfills!

24) Explain the importance of house insulation, especially during winter months. Ask your kids to avoid keeping their windows open during the winter. Teach them how to use the thermostat, and explain that setting temperature above a certain point only wastes energy!

25) Use more energy effective appliances and explain their significance to your children.

26) Avoid bulky packaging and opt out for air bags instead of Styrofoam packing peanuts. Styrofoam is virtually indestructible and poisons our oceans. If you receive a package with Styrofoam peanuts, save them and reuse them. Maybe you are looking to sell something on ebay? Now's the time!

Afterword

These steps have a significant impact of reducing household waste and hazardous household waste. Water conservation is a "drop in the bucket" compared to the needs of modern farming and cattle breeding, but it is the mindset that counts. Having people who are aware of their impact on the environment will help enact more environmentally friendly regulations!

You make the owl scared

The future environmental issues make this owl scared. Please live responsibly!

The future environmental issues make this owl scared. Please live responsibly!

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Joyaliz Gomez on May 24, 2018:

the owl is scary take it down.

jayvien rivera on May 24, 2018:

this sucks and I will never ever come to this website ever again these people should be a sham of them self and that owl should not be apart of this it is not what it is talking about

natalie madison on May 21, 2018:

you are amazing

Hbzraf1255677/$# on May 16, 2018:

You are poor and stupid

millie on May 09, 2018:

poor owl!☹

Emma on May 04, 2018:

i love the information.kids will love it!

It's cool good information on April 25, 2018:

Good after al all comments are worst

angelo on April 16, 2018:

I did it

myka on March 06, 2018:

I want to help the world everyone can help.

Honey on June 02, 2016:

Join the race to make earth a better place....

J.C on July 04, 2015:

Try to protect for our mother'earth

J.C on July 04, 2015:

My ambition

melviiantay lee on April 23, 2015:

you know how to tesh

Malikka on April 22, 2015:

Recycle those can and bottles instead of just towing them away

Krystal on December 10, 2014:

We should all try at least one of these things!!!

mahi on December 02, 2014:

That's cool....!!!!

haley on October 07, 2014:

its cool

Arohi on May 24, 2014:

He is not scared!!!!!!

awesome on April 17, 2014:

i love this

idea

of.

nobody on October 29, 2013:

you guys are so retarted

wayne on October 29, 2013:

fail

ray on October 29, 2013:

it is cool I want one to cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nelly on October 29, 2013:

That is cool I want one!!!!!!!

ray on October 29, 2013:

wayne was up bro

malik on October 29, 2013:

it cool

Nelly on October 29, 2013:

hey stef

Ray on October 29, 2013:

was up

wayne on October 29, 2013:

hey steph

steph on October 29, 2013:

it cool

wayne on October 29, 2013:

:) lol heheheehhehehehehehe

wayne on October 29, 2013:

yea it cool!!!!!!!

anonymous on October 10, 2013:

ang cute naman ng owl

q estupides on March 01, 2013:

q asco

pink angel on February 26, 2013:

So Cool!

Pink Angel on February 26, 2013:

Its good to people :)

mother earth on February 26, 2013:

cool

derrick on February 26, 2013:

save the world

Sarah jenkins on February 22, 2013:

Shut the hell up to all yall

sone soukkhy on November 17, 2012:

i like environmental science

you on July 19, 2012:

what

sneha reddy on June 11, 2012:

so sad!!

neha on June 04, 2012:

seriously nothing to lol about....poor owl...and yeah, many many others too...

taniya on June 03, 2012:

poor owl :(

poop on May 17, 2012:

this owl is a poo face

Bob on March 29, 2012:

Hi that owl is cute though I feel sorry for him he looks scared

Jessica on February 22, 2012:

Poor owl lol :( lol I fell sorry for that owl

Ghana Man on February 07, 2012:

Sorah and lasamdi are fools.

eeee on January 24, 2012:

poor owl

Tammy babeeey on September 21, 2011:

sorah and lamasdi this is sirious man you little freaks stop saying lol its not fair!

sorah on September 21, 2011:

haha lol xox

lasamdi on September 21, 2011:

its ok lol xo

sorah on September 21, 2011:

sorry i spelt ur name rong lol

lasamdi on September 21, 2011:

its spelt lasamdi not lasmdi lol. wish i cud look afta evry owl lyk :(

sorah on September 21, 2011:

sme here lasmdi its sosad 2 c owls dat ar sad lyk:(( xoxoxoxo

lasamdi on September 21, 2011:

poor owl lyk hope its kk xoxo

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27+ Ways Kids Can Help Protect the Environment!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Cardinal works for a school district that offers environmental education for K-12 students and is very successful at getting people engaged. Taken from an innovative kids' environmental education program, here is a list of 27 ways that children can help protect the environment.

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An endangered species is a type of organism that is threatened by extinction. Species become endangered for two main reasons: loss of habitat and loss of genetic variation.

Loss of Habitat

A loss of habitat can happen naturally. Dinosaurs, for instance, lost their habitat about 65 million years ago. The hot, dry climate of the Cretaceous period changed very quickly, most likely because of an asteroid striking the Earth. The impact of the asteroid forced debris into the atmosphere, reducing the amount of heat and light that reached Earth's surface. The dinosaurs were unable to adapt to this new, cooler habitat. Dinosaurs became endangered, then extinct.

Human activity can also contribute to a loss of habitat. Development for housing, industry, and agriculture reduces the habitat of native organisms. This can happen in a number of different ways.

Development can eliminate habitat and native species directly. In the Amazon rain forest of South America, developers have cleared hundreds of thousands of acres. To "clear" a piece of land is to remove all trees and vegetation from it. The Amazon rain forest is cleared for cattle ranches, logging, and urban use.

Development can also endanger species indirectly. Some species, such as fig trees of the rain forest, may provide habitat for other species. As trees are destroyed, species that depend on that tree habitat may also become endangered. Tree crowns provide habitat in the canopy, or top layer, of a rainforest. Plants such as vines, fungi such as mushrooms, and insects such as butterflies live in the rain forest canopy. So do hundreds of species of tropical birds and mammals such as monkeys. As trees are cut down, this habitat is lost. Species have less room to live and reproduce.

Loss of habitat may happen as development takes place in a species range. Many animals have a range of hundreds of square kilometers. The mountain lion of North America, for instance, has a range of up to 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles). To successfully live and reproduce, a single mountain lion patrols this much territory. Urban areas, such as Los Angeles, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, grew rapidly during the 20th century. As these areas expanded into the wilderness, the mountain lion's habitat became smaller. That means the habitat can support fewer mountain lions. Because enormous parts of the Sierra Nevada, Rocky, and Cascade mountain ranges remain undeveloped, however, mountain lions are not endangered.

Loss of habitat can also lead to increased encounters between wild species and people. As development brings people deeper into a species range, they may have more exposure to wild species. Poisonous plants and fungi may grow closer to homes and schools. Wild animals are also spotted more frequently. These animals are simply patrolling their range, but interaction with people can be deadly. Polar bears, mountain lions, and alligators are all predators brought into close contact with people as they lose their habitat to homes, farms, and businesses. As people kill these wild animals, through pesticides, accidents such as collisions with cars, or hunting, native species may become endangered.

Loss of Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity found within a species. It's why human beings may have blond, red, brown, or black hair. Genetic variation allows species to adapt to changes in the environment. Usually, the greater the population of a species, the greater its genetic variation.

Inbreeding is reproduction with close family members. Groups of species that have a tendency to inbreed usually have little genetic variation, because no new genetic information is introduced to the group. Disease is much more common, and much more deadly, among inbred groups. Inbred species do not have the genetic variation to develop resistance to the disease. For this reason, fewer offspring of inbred groups survive to maturity.

Loss of genetic variation can occur naturally. Cheetahs are a threatened species native to Africa and Asia. These big cats have very little genetic variation. Biologists say that during the last ice age, cheetahs went through a long period of inbreeding. As a result, there are very few genetic differences between cheetahs. They cannot adapt to changes in the environment as quickly as other animals, and fewer cheetahs survive to maturity. Cheetahs are also much more difficult to breed in captivity than other big cats, such as lions.

Human activity can also lead to a loss of genetic variation. Overhunting and overfishing have reduced the populations of many animals. Reduced population means there are fewer breeding pairs. A breeding pair is made up of two mature members of the species that are not closely related and can produce healthy offspring. With fewer breeding pairs, genetic variation shrinks.

Monoculture, the agricultural method of growing a single crop, can also reduce genetic variation. Modern agribusiness relies on monocultures. Almost all potatoes cultivated, sold, and consumed, for instance, are from a single species, the Russet Burbank. Potatoes, native to the Andes Mountains of South America, have dozens of natural varieties. The genetic variation of wild potatoes allows them to adapt to climate change and disease. For Russet Burbanks, however, farmers must use fertilizers and pesticides to ensure healthy crops because the plant has almost no genetic variation.

Plant breeders often go back to wild varieties to collect genes that will help cultivated plants resist pests and drought, and adapt to climate change. However, climate change is also threatening wild varieties. That means domesticated plants may lose an important source of traits that help them overcome new threats.

The Red List

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps a "Red List of Threatened Species." The Red List defines the severity and specific causes of a species' threat of extinction. The Red List has seven levels of conservation: least concern, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, extinct in the wild, and extinct. Each category represents a different threat level.

Species that are not threatened by extinction are placed within the first two categories-least concern and near-threatened. Those that are most threatened are placed within the next three categories, known as the threatened categories-vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered. Those species that are extinct in some form are placed within the last two categories-extinct in the wild and extinct.

Classifying a species as endangered has to do with its range and habitat, as well as its actual population. For this reason, a species can be of least concern in one area and endangered in another. The gray whale, for instance, has a healthy population in the eastern Pacific Ocean, along the coast of North and South America. The population in the western Pacific, however, is critically endangered.

Least Concern

Least concern is the lowest level of conservation. A species of least concern is one that has a widespread and abundant population. Human beings are a species of least concern, along with most domestic animals, such as dogs and cats. Many wild animals, such as pigeons and houseflies, are also classified as least concern.

Near Threatened

A near threatened species is one that is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

Many species of violets, native to tropical jungles in South America and Africa, are near threatened, for instance. They have healthy populations, but their rain forest habitat is disappearing at a fast pace. People are cutting down huge areas of rain forest for development and timber. Many violet species are likely to become threatened.

Vulnerable Species

The definitions of the three threatened categories (vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered) are based on five criteria: population reduction rate, geographic range, population size, population restrictions, and probability of extinction.

Threatened categories have different thresholds for these criteria. As the population and range of the species decreases, the species becomes more threatened.

1) Population reduction rate
A species is classified as vulnerable if its population has declined between 30 and 50 percent. This decline is measured over 10 years or three generations of the species, whichever is longer. A generation is the period of time between the birth of an animal and the time it is able to reproduce. Mice are able to reproduce when they are about one month old. Mouse populations are mostly tracked over 10-year periods. An elephant's generation lasts about 15 years. So, elephant populations are measured over 45-year periods.

A species is vulnerable if its population has declined at least 50 percent and the cause of the decline is known. Habitat loss is the leading known cause of population decline.

A species is also classified as vulnerable if its population has declined at least 30 percent and the cause of the decline is not known. A new, unknown virus, for example, could kill hundreds or even thousands of individuals before being identified.

2) Geographic range
A species is vulnerable if its " extent of occurrence" is estimated to be less than 20,000 square kilometers (7,722 square miles). An extent of occurrence is the smallest area that could contain all sites of a species' population. If all members of a species could survive in a single area, the size of that area is the species' extent of occurrence.

A species is also classified as vulnerable if its " area of occupancy" is estimated to be less than 2,000 square kilometers (772 square miles). An area of occupancy is where a specific population of that species resides. This area is often a breeding or nesting site in a species range.

3) Population size
Species with fewer than 10,000 mature individuals are vulnerable. The species is also vulnerable if that population declines by at least 10 percent within 10 years or three generations, whichever is longer.

4) Population restrictions
Population restriction is a combination of population and area of occupancy. A species is vulnerable if it is restricted to less than 1,000 mature individuals or an area of occupancy of less than 20 square kilometers (8 square miles).

5) Probability of extinction in the wild is at least 10 percent within 100 years.
Biologists, anthropologists, meteorologists, and other scientists have developed complex ways to determine a species' probability of extinction. These formulas calculate the chances a species can survive, without human protection, in the wild.

Vulnerable Species: Ethiopian Banana Frog
The Ethiopian banana frog ( Afrixalus enseticola) is a small frog native to high- altitude areas of southern Ethiopia. It is a vulnerable species because its area of occupancy is less than 2,000 square kilometers (772 square miles). The extent and quality of its forest habitat are in decline. Threats to this habitat include forest clearance, mostly for housing and agriculture.

Vulnerable Species: Snaggletooth Shark
The snaggletooth shark ( Hemipristis elongatus) is found in the tropical, coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its area of occupancy is enormous, from southeast Africa to the Philippines, and from China to Australia.

However, the snaggletooth shark is a vulnerable species because of a severe population reduction rate. Its population has fallen more than 10 percent over 10 years. The number of sharks is declining due to fisheries, especially in the Java Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The snaggletooth shark's flesh, fins, and liver are considered high-quality foods. They are sold in commercial fish markets, as well as restaurants.

Vulnerable Species: Galapagos Kelp
Galapagos kelp ( Eisenia galapagensis) is a type of seaweed only found near the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Galapagos kelp is classified as vulnerable because its population has declined more than 10 percent over 10 years.

Climate change is the leading cause of decline among Galapagos kelp. El Nino, the natural weather pattern that brings unusually warm water to the Galapagos, is the leading agent of climate change in this area. Galapagos kelp is a cold-water species and does not adapt quickly to changes in water temperature.

Endangered Species

1) Population reduction rate
A species is classified as endangered when its population has declined between 50 and 70 percent. This decline is measured over 10 years or three generations of the species, whichever is longer.

A species is classified as endangered when its population has declined at least 70 percent and the cause of the decline is known. A species is also classified as endangered when its population has declined at least 50 percent and the cause of the decline is not known.

2) Geographic range
An endangered species' extent of occurrence is less than 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square miles). An endangered species' area of occupancy is less than 500 square kilometers (193 square miles).

3) Population size
A species is classified as endangered when there are fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. When a species population declines by at least 20 percent within five years or two generations, it is also classified as endangered.

4) Population restrictions
A species is classified as endangered when its population is restricted to less than 250 mature individuals. When a species' population is this low, its area of occupancy is not considered.

5) Probability of extinction in the wild is at least 20 percent within 20 years or five generations, whichever is longer.

Endangered Species: Siberian Sturgeon
The Siberian sturgeon ( Acipenser baerii) is a large fish found in rivers and lakes throughout the Siberian region of Russia. The Siberian sturgeon is a benthic species. Benthic species live at the bottom of a body of water.

The Siberian sturgeon is an endangered species because its total population has declined between 50 and 80 percent during the past 60 years (three generations of sturgeon). Overfishing, poaching, and dam construction have caused this decline. Pollution from mining activities has also contributed to abnormalities in the sturgeon's reproductive system.

Endangered Species: Tahiti Reed-warbler
The Tahiti reed-warbler ( Acrocephalus caffer) is a songbird found on the Pacific island of Tahiti. It is an endangered species because it has a very small population. The bird is only found on a single island, meaning both its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are very small.

The Tahiti reed-warbler is also endangered because of human activity. The tropical weed Miconia is a non-native species that has taken over much of Tahiti's native vegetation. The reed-warbler lives almost exclusively in Tahiti's bamboo forests. The bird nests in bamboo and feeds on flowers and insects that live there. As development and invasive species such as Miconia destroy the bamboo forests, the population of Tahiti reed-warblers continues to shrink.

Endangered Species: Ebony
Ebony ( Diospyros crassiflora) is a tree native to the rain forests of central Africa, including Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon. Ebony is an endangered species because many biologists calculate its probability of extinction in the wild is at least 20 percent within five generations.

Ebony is threatened due to overharvesting. Ebony trees produce a very heavy, dark wood. When polished, ebony can be mistaken for black marble or other stone. For centuries, ebony trees have been harvested for furniture and sculptural uses such as chess pieces. Most ebony, however, is harvested to make musical instruments such as piano keys and the fingerboards of stringed instruments.

Critically Endangered Species

1) Population reduction rate
A critically endangered species' population has declined between 80 and 90 percent. This decline is measured over 10 years or three generations of the species, whichever is longer.

A species is classified as critically endangered when its population has declined at least 90 percent and the cause of the decline is known. A species is also classified as endangered when its population has declined at least 80 percent and the cause of the decline is not known.

2) Geographic range
A critically endangered species' extent of occurrence is less than 100 square kilometers (39 square miles). A critically endangered species' area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 10 square kilometers (4 square miles).

3) Population size
A species is classified as critically endangered when there are fewer than 250 mature individuals. A species is also classified as critically endangered when the number of mature individuals declines by at least 25 percent within three years or one generation, whichever is longer.

4) Population restrictions
A species is classified as critically endangered when its population is restricted to less than 50 mature individuals. When a species' population is this low, its area of occupancy is not considered.

5) Probability of extinction in the wild is at least 50 percent within 10 years or three generations, whichever is longer.

Critically Endangered Species: Bolivian Chinchilla Rat
The Bolivian chinchilla rat ( Abrocoma boliviensis) is a rodent found in a small section of the Santa Cruz region of Bolivia. It is critically endangered because its extent of occurrence is less than 100 square kilometers (39 square miles).

The major threat to this species is loss of its cloud forest habitat. People are clearing forests to create cattle pastures.

Critically Endangered Species: Transcaucasian Racerunner
The Transcaucasian racerunner ( Eremias pleskei) is a lizard found on the Armenian Plateau, located in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey. The Transcaucasian racerunner is a critically endangered species because of a huge population decline, estimated at more than 80 percent during the past 10 years.

Threats to this species include the salination, or increased saltiness, of soil. Fertilizers used for agricultural development seep into the soil, increasing its saltiness. Racerunners live in and among the rocks and soil, and cannot adapt to the increased salt in their food and shelter. The racerunner is also losing habitat as people create trash dumps on their area of occupancy.

Critically Endangered Species: White Ferula Mushroom
The white ferula mushroom ( Pleurotus nebrodensis) is a critically endangered species of fungus. The mushroom is critically endangered because its extent of occurrence is less than 100 square kilometers (39 square miles). It is only found in the northern part of the Italian island of Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea.

The leading threats to white ferula mushrooms are loss of habitat and overharvesting. White ferula mushrooms are a gourmet food item. Farmers and amateur mushroom hunters harvest the fungus for food and profit. The mushrooms can be sold for up to $100 per kilogram (2.2 pounds).

Extinct In The Wild

A species is extinct in the wild when it only survives in cultivation (plants), in captivity (animals), or as a population well outside its established range. A species may be listed as extinct in the wild only after years of surveys have failed to record an individual in its native or expected habitat.

Extinct in the Wild: Scimitar-horned Oryx
The scimitar-horned oryx ( Oryx dammah) is a species of antelope with long horns. Its range extends across northern Africa. The scimitar-horned oryx is listed as extinct in the wild because the last confirmed sighting of one was in 1988. Overhunting and habitat loss, including competition with domestic livestock, are the main reasons for the extinction of the oryx's wild population.

Captive herds are now kept in protected areas of Tunisia, Senegal, and Morocco. Scimitar-horned oryxes are also found in many zoos.

Extinct in the Wild: Black Soft-shell Turtle
The black soft-shell turtle ( Nilssonia nigricans) is a freshwater turtle that exists only in one man-made pond, at the Baizid Bostami Shrine near Chittagong, Bangladesh. The 150 to 300 turtles that live at the pond rely entirely on humans for food. Until 2000, black soft-shell turtles lived throughout the wetlands of the Brahmaputra River, feeding mostly on freshwater fish.

Unlike other animals that are extinct in the wild, black soft-shell turtles are not found in many zoos. The shrine's caretakers do not allow anyone, including scientists, to take the turtles. The reptiles are considered to be the descendants of people who were miraculously turned into turtles by a saint during the 13th century.

Extinct in the Wild: Mt. Kaala Cyanea
The Mt. Kaala cyanea ( Cyanea superba) is a large, flowering tree native to the island of Oahu, in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The Mt. Kaala cyanea has large, broad leaves and fleshy fruit. The tree is extinct in the wild largely because of invasive species. Non-native plants crowded the cyanea out of its habitat, and non-native animals such as pigs, rats, and slugs ate its fruit more quickly than it could reproduce.

Mt. Kaala cyanea trees survive in tropical nurseries and botanical gardens. Many botanists and conservationists look forward to establishing a new population in the wild.

Extinct

A species is extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last remaining individual of that species has died.

Extinct: Cuban Macaw
The Cuban macaw ( Ara tricolor) was a tropical parrot native to Cuba and a small Cuban island, Isla de la Juventud. Hunting and collecting the birds for pets led to the bird's extinction. The last specimen of the Cuban macaw was collected in 1864.

Extinct: Ridley's Stick Insect
Ridley's stick insect ( Pseudobactricia ridleyi) was native to the tropical jungle of the island of Singapore. This insect, whose long, segmented body resembled a tree limb, is only known through a single specimen, collected more than 100 years ago. During the 20th century, Singapore experienced rapid development. Almost the entire jungle was cleared, depriving the insect of its habitat.

Extinct: Sri Lankan Legume Tree
The Sri Lankan legume tree ( Crudia zeylanica), native only to the island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, was a giant species of legume. Peas and peanuts are smaller types of legumes.

Habitat loss from development in the 20th century is the main reason the tree went extinct in the wild. A single specimen survived at the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, until 1990, when that, too, was lost.

Endangered Species and People

When a species is classified as endangered, governments and international organizations can work to protect it. Laws may limit hunting and destruction of the species' habitat. Individuals and organizations that break these laws may face huge fines. Because of such actions, many species have recovered from their endangered status.

The brown pelican was taken off the endangered species list in 2009, for instance. This seabird is native to the coasts of North America and South America, as well as the islands of the Caribbean Sea. It is the state bird of the U.S. state of Louisiana. In 1970, the number of brown pelicans in the wild was estimated at 10,000. The bird was classified as vulnerable.

During the 1970s and 1980s, governments and conservation groups worked to help the brown pelican recover. Young chicks were reared in hatching sites, then released into the wild. Human access to nesting sites was severely restricted. The pesticide DDT, which damaged the eggs of the brown pelican, was banned. During the 1980s, the number of brown pelicans soared. In 1988, the IUCN "delisted" the brown pelican. The bird, whose population is now in the hundreds of thousands, is now in the category of least concern.

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An endangered species is a type of organism that is threatened by extinction. Species become endangered for two main reasons: loss of habitat and loss of genetic variation. Loss of Habitat A loss of habitat can happen naturally. Dinosaurs, for instance, lost their habitat about 65 million years ago.

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For more than 40 years, Dawn has helped save wildlife both at the sink, with products designed to get dishes cleaner faster, using less water*, and at the shore, where we work with wildlife rescue experts to protect and care for aquatic wildlife.

Watch video

*vs. running the tap with Dawn Non-Concentrated

We've helped over 150,000 aquatic birds & animals

Dawn has helped non-profit organizations clean more than 150,000 marine birds and mammals in North America.

We've donated over 50,000 bottles

Dawn has donated thousands of bottles to International Bird Rescue & The Marine Mammal Center.

We've donated over $4.5 Million

Dawn has invested a total of $4.5 million with our environmental advocacy partners since 2006.

Our Ambition

We want to do more to help wildlife and the home we share with them. From our products at the sink to our efforts at the shore, see how we are shaping our goals for the future.

Our Goals at the Sink

Reducing water use - Enable a 25% reduction in in-home water usage related to handwashing dishes in North America.

Recycling - Dawn Dish liquid uses up to 35% PCR (post consumer recycled) content in clear bottles. By 2025, we'll use widely recyclable or reusable packaging.

Manufacturing - P&G has already made positive progress on its sustainability journey by converting to 100% renewable energy at its manufacturing sites, reducing water usage in manufacturing by 35%.

Our Goals at the Shore

Protecting Wildlife - Protect and care for one million birds and marine mammals through direct rescue and rehabilitation efforts, as well as advocacy and work in habitats to keep wildlife safe and in the wild.

Educating - Invest in educational programs that teach people how they can help create a cleaner world wildlife by taking simple actions, starting at home.

Training Wildlife Heroes (volunteers for action) - Inspire and empower one million people to become Wildlife Heroes - people who take small, positive actions in their daily lives to create a cleaner world for wildlife.

Join our mission and become a Wildlife Hero.

International
Bird Rescue

International Bird Rescue is a global conservation organization for birds in a changing world. Since 1971, Bird Rescue has responded to over 250 oil spills and other wildlife emergencies, caring for more than 160,000 birds on six continents. With crisis response centers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Anchorage, the organization specializes in emergency preparedness and response, day-to-day aquatic bird care, and scientific research. Innovations are shared worldwide to inspire the next generation of wildlife specialists. Bird Rescue aims to give a voice to waterbirds through conservation, advocacy, and wildlife literacy that builds empathy and encourages action.

Find out how you can help and how to get involved with International Bird Rescue.

The Marine
Mammal Center

The Marine Mammal Center is a global leader in marine mammal health, science and conservation, and is the largest marine mammal hospital in the world. Sick and injured animals are treated at the Center's state-of-the-art veterinary facilities and are cared for until they can be released back to their ocean home. As a resource and thought leader in animal care, education and scientific communities, the Center is taking action to support a network of scientists and concerned citizens around the world to protect our shared environment for future generations.

Find out how you can help and how to get involved with The Marine Mammal Center.

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For more than 40 years, Dawn has helped save wildlife both at the sink, with products designed to get dishes cleaner faster, using less water*, and at the shore, where we work with wildlife rescue experts to protect and care for aquatic wildlife. Watch video *vs.

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https://sn56.scholastic.com/issues/2018-19/040819/the-problem-with-plastic.html?lmode=1#On%20Level

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Names: Sofia Gordon, Luca Barresi, Francesca Trotta, Veronica Osei-Owusu

Hometown: Longmeadow, Massachusetts

What They Did: The sixth-graders helped get a law passed in their town. Starting April 22, stores in Longmeadow will no longer be allowed to give out plastic bags to customers.

How They Did It: Two years ago, as part of a class reading group, the kids learned about the harmful effects of plastic.

"We wanted to do something in our school to fix this madness," explains Sofia.

The classmates convinced officials at their elementary school to buy recycling bins. Then they gave a presentation to town lawmakers and proposed the plastic bag ban.

They're now working to get recycling bins put in every school and park in their town.

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Names: Sofia Gordon, Luca Barresi, Francesca Trotta, Veronica Osei-Owusu Hometown: Longmeadow, Massachusetts What They Did: The sixth-graders helped get a law passed in their town. Starting April 22, stores in Longmeadow will no longer be allowed to give out plastic bags to customers.

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Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic found in many health and beauty products, including soap and body scrubs.

On December 18, 2015, Congress amended the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) by passing the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015. Learn what the new law prohibits, why Congress passed this law, when it takes effect, and more.

What is the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015?

The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 prohibits the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing plastic microbeads.

This new law also applies to products that are both cosmetics and non-prescription (also called "over-the-counter" or "OTC") drugs, such as toothpastes.

Why did Congress pass this new law? Are there concerns about consumer safety?

Congress passed this law to address concerns about microbeads in the water supply. After you've scrubbed your face or brushed your teeth, the tiny plastic beads go down the drain. The concern is that microbeads may not be filtered through treatment filtration systems and end up in our lakes and oceans, where they may be mistaken for food by small fish and other wildlife.

The new law does not address consumer safety, and we do not have evidence suggesting that plastic microbeads, as used in cosmetics, pose a human health concern.

Several states have already banned products containing microbeads. Because the various state laws are different, Congress felt the need to have a single Federal law that would apply nationally.

How does the new law define a "plastic microbead"?

The new law defines the term "plastic microbead" as any solid plastic particle that is-

5 millimeters or less in size, and

Intended to be used to exfoliate or cleanse the body or any part of the body.

What types of products are covered under the new law?

The law covers "rinse-off" cosmetics, including toothpaste, that contain intentionally added microbeads and are intended to exfoliate or cleanse the body.

When does the new law take effect?

The new law provides separate sets of deadlines for rinse-off cosmetics and for rinse-off cosmetics that are also non-prescription drugs.

For rinse-off cosmetics:

The deadline is July 1, 2017 to stop the manufacturing of the products described in the law.

The deadline is July 1, 2018 to stop the introduction or delivery for introduction of these products into interstate commerce.

For rinse-off cosmetics that are also non-prescription drugs:

The deadline is July 1, 2018 to stop manufacturing the products described in the law.

The deadline is July 1, 2019 to stop the introduction or delivery for introduction of these products into interstate commerce.

These deadlines are intended to give cosmetic and drug firms time to make any needed changes in formulations to eliminate plastic microbeads, and to give distributors and retailers time to sell their inventory of products containing plastic microbeads before the new law takes effect.

The new law provides an extra year for products that are both cosmetics and non-prescription drugs. This will provide companies with more time to perform required safety testing for their newly formulated products.

How does the new law affect state laws?

Under the new law, state or local authorities are not allowed to enact laws or continue to enforce laws that:

restrict the manufacture of rinse-off cosmetics that contain plastic microbeads, or

restrict the introduction or delivery of such products into interstate commerce,

unless the state or local restrictions are the same as those of the new federal law that have taken effect.

More Resources:

For more background on the intent of Congress in passing this law, see House Report 114-371 - Microbead-free Waters Act of 2015.

To learn more about microbeads in cosmetics and other plastics in the environment, see the following resources from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

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On December 18, 2015, Congress amended the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) by passing the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015. Learn what the new law prohibits, why Congress passed this law, when it takes effect, and more.

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Scientists are trying to understand how much plastic humans are pumping into the ocean and how long it sticks around. A study published this week says it may be much more than earlier estimates.

By some measures, the plastic trash that's floating on the surface of the water only accounts for about 1% of the plastic pollution that humans generate.

"If we are missing 99% of plastic that we thought we have put in, it has to be somewhere," explains Katsiaryna Pabortsava, a researcher at the National Oceanography Centre in the United Kingdom.

She and her colleagues set out to look for the missing plastic debris.

It's known that very small pieces of plastic, some of them too small to see with the naked eye, are present throughout the environment, including in drinking water, sea salt, beer and fish. Studies have found these tiny pieces, often called microplastics, deep in the Pacific Ocean and in the air above France's Pyrenees mountains.

But it's been unclear how much tiny plastic pollution is accumulating in oceans.

Pabortsava and her team looked at three types of microplastic pollution in the top 200 meters of the Atlantic Ocean, and found evidence that a colossal amount of plastic is hanging out below the surface of the water.

The results, published this week in the scientific journal Nature Communications, focus on three types of plastic that are used in common food and other product packaging.

The new study finds that the total amount of plastic making its way into the Earth's oceans is likely higher than previous estimates suggest. A previous study published in 2015 estimated that upwards of 12 million metric tons of plastic trash made it into the oceans in 2010 alone. Scientists only started trying to quantify how much plastic is in the ocean in the last decade.

That analysis was never meant to present a comprehensive picture of plastic in the oceans - it only looked at municipal waste and didn't account for plastic trash from ships or fish nets lost at sea. Nor did it estimate how long plastic pollution stays in the ocean.

"There are still huge uncertainties about how much plastic goes into the ocean," says Pabortsava.

The new study adds to what's known but is still an incomplete picture. It estimates that there is upwards of 21 million metric tons of three common types of small plastic pollution in just the top 200 meters of the Atlantic.It's a rough estimate - the researchers took samples at just 12 locations up and down the Atlantic and extrapolated from there - and there could be even more plastic of other types.

Microplastic in the ocean comes from two main sources. Tiny spheres of plastic, called microbeads, were a common ingredient in exfoliating soaps sold in the U.S. until the federal government banned their use in personal care products in 2015. The EU did the same last year. But most tiny plastic bits are remnants of larger pieces of plastic broken down by waves and sunlight.

Microplastics below the surface of the ocean are bad news for the whole food chain. Small ocean-dwelling creatures eat them, and the plastic makes its way into larger fish and shellfish that humans eat.

It's difficult to imagine that eating tiny bits of plastic is good for humans, but the potential health impacts of microplastics are still unknown. A 2018 study noted that seafood is a critical source of sustenance around the world, and that scientists should focus on figuring out how long microplastics survive in the environment and how they affect human health.

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The Atlantic Is Awash With Far More Plastic, Than Previously Thought, Study Finds

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Scientists are trying to understand how much plastic humans are pumping into the ocean and how long it sticks around. A study published this week says it may be much more than earlier estimates. By some measures, the plastic trash that's floating on the surface of the water only accounts for about 1% of the plastic pollution that humans generate.

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Use:  How Plastic Kills section Claim & Evidence

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Use:  How Plastic Kills section Claim & Evidence

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4 Part Claim and Evidence Section

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Skip to main content

How Plastic Is Trashing the Planet

Peter Stackpole/The LIFE Picture Collection Creative/Getty Images

But the very qualities that make plastic so useful to us also make it incredibly dangerous to the environment. Plastic doesn't just go away. Instead, it breaks down into very small pieces over time. And those pieces will stick around for hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years.

For decades, people have sipped from plastic straws and toted groceries in plastic bags without a second thought. And all that plastic-much of it used only once-has added up. Worldwide, we've produced a staggering 9.2 billion tons of plastic since the 1950s. (Think of it this way: One of the heaviest statues in the United States, the Statue of Liberty, weighs 225 tons.)

Where does all our discarded plastic go? Only a small amount of it is ever recycled. Much of the rest ends up in the ocean, threatening the lives of the creatures that live there.

The problem is massive-and projected to get worse. "The amount of plastic produced is growing more and more rapidly," warns Ted Siegler, a global waste management expert. By 2050, it's estimated that we'll have created 13 billion tons of plastic waste.

That's why, around the globe, individuals, companies, and even entire countries are working to reduce their plastic usage. But will those efforts be enough?

But the very qualities that make plastic so useful to us also make it incredibly dangerous to the environment. Plastic does not just go away. Instead, it breaks down into very small pieces over time. Those pieces will stick around for hundreds of years, perhaps even thousands of years.

For decades, people have sipped from plastic straws and carried groceries in plastic bags without a second thought. Much of that plastic is used only once. And it all has added up. Worldwide, we have produced a shocking 9.2 billion tons of plastic since the 1950s. (Think of it this way: The Statue of Liberty is one of the heaviest statues in the United States. It weighs 225 tons.)

Where does all our tossed-out plastic go? Only a small amount of it is ever recycled. Much of the rest ends up in the ocean. That threatens the lives of the creatures that live there.

The problem is huge-and expected to get worse. "The amount of plastic produced is growing more and more rapidly," warns Ted Siegler. He is a global waste management expert. It is estimated that we will have created 13 billion tons of plastic waste by the year 2050.

That is why individuals, companies, and even entire countries around the world are working to reduce their use of plastic. But will those efforts be enough?

Tons of plastic produced globally in 2015

Source: National Geographic

©John Cancalosi/Biosphoto

When plastic waste ends up in the ocean, the results are often tragic. Earlier this year, rescuers found a sick pilot whale near the shore of southern Thailand. It couldn't swim. In fact, it could hardly breathe.

Later, as veterinarians tended to the animal, it vomited five plastic grocery bags. The whale died shortly after. Tests eventually revealed that it had more than 17 pounds of plastic in its stomach, including another 80 or so plastic bags.

That's just one example of how plastic can be deadly to animals. Nearly 700 ocean species-from zooplankton and fish to sea turtles and dolphins-have been harmed by plastic. That damage ranges from eating it to getting stuck in it. For example, some animals get trapped in plastic six-pack drink holders. Others, including many bird species, suffocate inside plastic grocery bags.

And, of course, many sea creatures-like the pilot whale-eat plastic. In the ocean, sunlight, waves, and heat often break down plastic into pieces tinier than a pinkie fingernail. Those bits, called microplastics, become coated with algae over time. That makes them smell like food to many animals.

Some sea creatures are fooled into thinking microplastics are real food. They stuff themselves with it, to the point that they don't have room in their stomachs for any actual food. They die from starvation as a result.

Eating plastic hurts animals in other ways too. The toxins in the plastic can seriously affect their behavior and digestion, and the ecosystem as a whole, says Matthew Savoca. He is a scientist who studies the effects of plastic on marine life.

"It affects not just the individual animals that eat plastic, but the animals that eat those animals," he says.

When plastic waste ends up in the ocean, the results are often tragic. Earlier this year, rescuers found a sick pilot whale near the shore of southern Thailand. It could not swim. In fact, it could hardly breathe.

Later, as veterinarians took care of the animal, it vomited five plastic grocery bags. The whale died shortly after. Tests later showed that it had more than 17 pounds of plastic in its stomach. That included another 80 or so plastic bags.

That is just one example of how plastic can be deadly to animals. Nearly 700 ocean species have been harmed by plastic. Species from zooplankton and fish to sea turtles and dolphins have been affected. The damage ranges from eating plastic to getting stuck in it. For example, some animals get trapped in plastic six-pack drink holders. Others, including many bird species, suffocate inside plastic grocery bags.

And, of course, many sea creatures eat plastic, as the pilot whale did. In the ocean, sunlight, waves, and heat often break down plastic. It winds up in pieces tinier than a pinkie fingernail. Such bits are called microplastics. Over time, they become coated with algae. That makes the bits of plastic smell like food to many animals.

Some sea creatures are fooled into thinking microplastics are real food. They stuff themselves with it. Then they do not have room in their stomachs for any actual food. They die from starvation.

Eating plastic hurts animals in other ways too. The toxins in the plastic can seriously affect their behavior and digestion, and the ecosystem as a whole, says Matthew Savoca. He is a scientist who studies the effects of plastic on marine life.

"It affects not just the individual animals that eat plastic, but the animals that eat those animals," he says.

Percentage of plastic that is recycled around the world

Source: National Geographic

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Skip to main content How Plastic Is Trashing the Planet Peter Stackpole/The LIFE Picture Collection Creative/Getty Images But the very qualities that make plastic so useful to us also make it incredibly dangerous to the environment. Plastic doesn't just go away. Instead, it breaks down into very small pieces over time.

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Cause and Effect Slide 14

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Even if you live hundreds of miles from the coast, the plastic you throw away could make its way into the sea. Once the plastic is in the ocean, it decomposes very slowly, breaking into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and become incredibly damaging to sea life. The main source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based-80% of plastic in the ocean originates on land. But what does that really mean? Where is it coming from?

There are three main ways plastic ends up in the oceans:

Plastic you put in the bin ends up in landfill. When rubbish is being transported to landfill, plastic is often blown away because it's so lightweight. From there, it can eventually clutter around drains and enter rivers and the sea this way.

Litter dropped on the street doesn't stay there. Rainwater and wind carries plastic waste into streams and rivers, and through drains. Drains lead to the ocean!

Careless and improper waste disposal is also a big contributor - illegal dumping of waste adds greatly to the plastic surge in our seas.

Many of the products we use daily are flushed down toilets, including wet wipes, cotton buds and sanitary products. Microfibres are even released into waterways when we wash our clothes in the washing machine. They are too small to be filtered out by waste water plants and end up being consumed by small marine species, eventually even ending up in our food chain.

A positive move in recent months was a ban on microbeads in rinse-off cosmetic and cleaning products introduced by the UK Government, so that these small plastic beads will no longer get washed down the sink and out into our oceans, but there are many more items that can also contribute to the problem.

The bottom line

How does plastic get into the ocean? The bottom line is us. Whether we mean to litter or not, there's always a chance the plastic we throw away could make it into the sea, and from there who knows? Maybe as far as the Arctic.

Big changes start with small steps and we all have the power to make a difference. What will you do to start cutting the plastic in your life?

We're working with Sky to protect and restore our amazing oceans. Find out more about Sky Ocean Rescue's fight against plastic pollution.

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Ever wondered how the plastic you use every day ends up in the sea? Learn more about this global crisis and what we can do to help.

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Sequencing, Problem-Solution

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What's Inside

SuperSTEM makes it easy to infuse STEM learning into any instructional block and curriculum-all year long. Aligned to the NGSS and other standards, our interdisciplinary lessons build content-area knowledge, academic and domain vocabulary, and cross-curricular skills.

Deepen knowledge with fascinating videos, build skills with interactive activities, and support every reader with rich multigenre texts and robust differentiation tools.

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Scholastic SuperSTEM | Where Stories Power Problem Solving in Grades 3-6

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Scholastic's SuperSTEM magazine captures the excitement of science, technology, engineering, and math in your classroom with powerful blended-learning resources.

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A sea turtle swims through the water and spots a white blob floating near the surface. "Yum!" it thinks. "A jellyfish!" Chasing after its dinner, the turtle swallows the item. But the floating blob isn't a jelly-it's a plastic bag that could make the sea turtle sick.

This sea creature isn't alone: Over 700 species of marine animals have been reported to have eaten or been entangled in plastic. Scientists think that the amount of plastic in the ocean might triple by 2050-and that would mean seriously bad news for the ocean and the creatures that live there. But by understanding the issue and taking action, you can help stop that from happening.

What's the problem with plastic?

First, let's get real: Not all plastic is bad. Bike helmets, car airbags, and many medical supplies made with plastic save lives. Plastic water bottles can bring clean drinking water to people who don't have it, and plastic straws can help people with disabilities drink.

The problem is that most of us use and then toss way more plastic than we need: things like grocery bags, drink bottles, straws, food wrappers, and plastic packaging around toys. This kind of plastic that's used only once before being thrown away is called single-use plastic, and it makes up more than 40 percent of all plastic trash.

Where does the plastic go?

That's a lot of trash. Scientists think that 8.8 million tons of plastic winds up in the ocean every year-that's as if you stacked up five plastic grocery bags full of trash on top of each other on every foot of coastline in the world.

How does it get into the sea? Plastic left on the ground as litter often blows into creeks and rivers, eventually ending up in the ocean. And because plastic trash is different from other types of waste-it doesn't decompose back into nature like an apple core or a piece of paper-it stays in the ocean forever. That means discarded fishing nets and six-pack rings can entangle animals; harmful straws and grocery bags can be mistaken as food.

What can we do about it?

You can do so much to help keep Earth clean! You can look at how much single-use plastic your family uses by filling out a plastic journal for a week-then talking about what you can do to use less. Need ideas? Check out these quick tips to reduce your plastic waste. By working together, our choices can help save animals-and the ocean they live in.