Toothbrushes and other things made from hard plastics like PA (polyamide) can take more than 500 years to decompose. a pre-selected message and a cool badge. And there are around 33,600 species of fish, so there’s already a lot of fish in our seas. These particles (tiny bits) of plastic get into water sources like rivers, lakes, and oceans. The bad news: Sea life can’t tell the difference between plastic and food. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Understanding plastic pollution can feel overwhelming. Microplastics are particularly dangerous. You’re leaving natgeokids.com to visit another website! Greenpeace says that 12 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, the equivalent of one rubbish truck every minute. In 2015, engineer Jenna Jambeck at the University of Georgia and other researchers did a study. of seabirds eat plastic rubbish, mistaking it for food. Its a boring topic for some kids and yet it’s so important to discuss the devastating impact of water pollution. These guides will cover how plastic enters the environment, it’s impact on wildlife, microplastics, and even how it effects on our health. Get messy, explore and appreciate nature, all from the safety of home! They can take between 10 and 100 years to decompose. There is an island of garbage twice the size of Texas inside the Pacific Ocean: the North Pacific Gyre off the coast of California is the largest oceanic garbage site in the entire world. It floats in the surface layers of the ocean forming a sort of thin 'soup' (yuk!). Hereâs a video from Blue Planet which shows what plastic pollution can do: Are you interested in recycling? The good news is that people around the world are working to together to reduce plastic waste. Kids Take Action Against Ocean Plastic Shockingly, researchers estimate that by 2050 the oceans will contain more plastic—by weight—than fish. Our materials are produced by scientific researchers and build on our 10 years expertise as leaders in plastic and the oceans. It’s a great example for your kids to follow. We are dedicated to ending plastic pollution and fostering sustainable communities worldwide. Fact: Plastic rubbish doesn’t biodegrade. James checks out a big scientific study where researchers with the help of some school kids are tracking the movement of plastic in the ocean. Most of the plastic waste in the ocean sinks, which means they donât get the light they need to break down â causing some plastics to remain for 1,000s of years. Plastics in the ocean cause a lot of damage to sea life. The facts and figures are pretty shocking, right? of fish found during a recent expedition had plastic in their stomachs. Let’s dive in and take a closer look…. Greenpeace estimate that 12 million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean every year. Plastic litters beaches. Plastic. Plastic. The main problem with plastics is that they donât biodegrade. Ideally, that would be done through first-hand experiences, but for obvious reasons that can be quite tricky! The animals can also be hurt when plastic fishing lines get wrapped around their bodies. How to make a plastic-free cutlery holder. What is a 12-year-old boy doing to reduce the amount of plastic in our oceans? These cookies do not store any personal information. Scientists are very worried about plastic that ends up in the ocean. Hereâs just how long it takes for some plastics to break down in the ocean: Plastic bottles for water and fizzy drinks are typically made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate). 2. An estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic entered the ocean in 2010(Supplied: Jambeck et al/Science 2015). While you wait for it to be checked and approved why not to add We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 22 million… tonnes of a gas called carbon dioxide (CO 2) is absorbed by the ocean each day because of rubbish. These take 20 to 200 years to degrade in the ocean. These floating patches of plastic debris have become worrying new ecosystems which scientists call the " Plastisphere ". Unlike natural materials such as wood or paper, plastic breaks down very slowly. At least 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year. Sea birds often eat these plastics, which can cause them serious harm or even kill them. of sea turtles worldwide have accidentally eaten plastic rubbish in the ocean. Plus see all our fun ocean kids activities here.. They wanted to figure out how much plastic trash enters the ocean from coasts every year. As these degrading plastics leach potentially toxic chemicals into the seas, they pose a serious threat to ocean animals, as well as to humans. Plastic left on the ground as litter often blows into creeks and rivers, eventually ending up in the ocean. Broadcast: Tue 18 Sep 2012, 10:00am Transcript It escapes from landfill sites, floats down our drains, ends up in rivers and makes its way into our oceans. Plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Drinking straws, bottle caps, nappies and yoghurt pots are made from PP (polypropylene), which takes 100-500 years to decompose. That's similar to emptying a garbage truck of plastic into an ocean every minute. Discover how a young eco-activist from Sweden inspired a global movement…, The six-year-old has planned a project to help protect the world’s rarest rhinos…, Discover how to make a groovy cutlery holder for your reusable utensils…, Join the mission to protect our beautiful planet and the amazing animals that call it home…. Instead, plastics need sunlight to degrade (photodegrade). different species of animals are believed to be severely threatened because of plastic pollution in the ocean. A common part of this is single-use plastic packaging for food and drink. Sea turtles and other animals may eat the plastic. Plastic is an amazing man-made material – it’s cheap to produce and has many uses! The rest comes from marine businesses like shipping and fishing. This plastic garbage is caught in the best known of 5 giant rotating ocean currents called gyres. Find out lots of facts about plastic in the ocean. 8. Birds have starved, with bellies full of plastic straws and bottle caps. Experts think that by 2050, the amount of plastic in the ocean will weigh more than the amount of fish in the ocean. Teaching children about marine pollution can be difficult. Inside: Teach kids all about ocean pollution and the marine ecosystem with this hands-on pollution sensory bin. Every half second, this much plastic makes it into the world's oceans: Taken at the UN's Clean Seas Exhibit in New York. Scientists have found tiny bits of it throughout the ocean. When plastic bags end up in our oceans, animals (including seals, dolphins and seabirds) can get tangled up in them. Ocean waves then break the plastic down into smaller pieces. This particular video called " Kids take action against ocean plastic " shows children from Hawaii, who diligently work to make the ocean cleaner, as it’s a home for many amazing creatures, without which the ocean will be dead. Whales have been entangled in discarded plastic fishing nets. It can take thousands of years for plastic to break down completely. Scientists are very worried about plastic that ends up in the ocean. Click on our Recycling for Kids page. Learn about plastic and how to reduce your use. We’re here to help! 24/10/2019 . of all dead animals found in beach cleanups worldwide have been entangled in plastic bags. Old clothes made from polyester and acrylic create toxic microfibres in the ocean. Plastic Oceans International is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, founded and existing under the laws of California (Federal Tax ID #81-3778043). animals and birds were found trapped by marine debris (such as old ropes, nets, mesh and wires) during a recent international coastal cleanup. Because they do not break down, things like plastic bags, bottles, and fishing lines collect in large areas of the ocean. They can take up to 1,000 years to decompose in the ocean. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. THE OCEANS AND PLASTICS POLLUTION KS2 ACTIVITY HANDBOOK FOR TEACHERS Ocean plastics can harm marine life. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A lot of plastic waste is invisible to the naked eye, it collects in ocean gyres, where marine life feeds. Floating in the ocean, a plastic bag looks like a delectable jellyfish to sea turtles, tuna, rockfish, sharks, swordfish, salmon, penguins, and a variety of seabirds. Here are nine shocking facts about how much plastic is in the oceans: 1. The answer: at least 8 million tons. Plastic rubbish can be incredibly harmful to fish and other sea life. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Fact:Â Plastic rubbish doesnât biodegrade. Plastic is everywhere. The problem of plastic in nature, particularly in our oceans, is a global crisis. Hertfordshire, AL3 6HX. About 80 percent of ocean plastic starts out on land. Animals can become entangled in fishing nets and plastic rings. Ocean Plastic: a Kids Guide. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But half of the plastic we produce is designed to be used just once and then thrown away – and even plastic that can be reused or recycled gets chucked out, too! Join the mission and check out our 10 tips to reduce plastic pollution! As a result, the water is becoming more acidic, which could make it harder for fish to breath and for creatures like crabs, lobsters and coral to grow their shells. What harm do floating plastics do? And because plastic takes 400 years to break down, it stays there for a long, long time, putting our friends beneath the waves in serious danger. Kenburn Waste Management Limited, tonnes of a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed by the ocean each day because of rubbish. Kids vs. You can help fight pollution! 9. It can stay in the ocean for thousands of years if it isnât recycled. Thatâs like an entire truck full of plastic rubbish dumped into the sea every minute! 3. 3. Plastic in the Ocean – the facts and figures… 700… different species of animals are believed to be severely threatened because of plastic pollution in the ocean. B efore we can expect anyone to protect the natural world, we need help them learn to love it first. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Much of our unwanted plastic ends up in the ocean – around 8 million tonnes of it every year, in fact! You can help fight pollution! Yet another danger is harder to see. Cigarette butts, plastic bags, fishing gear, and food and beverage containers are the most common forms of plastic pollution found in the oceans. The Ocean Race Sustainability Education Programme, the world's most extreme race, has put sustainability at its heart and is focusing on taking action to ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ – the rapidly growing and critical problem of plastic pollution in the ocean, highlighted by … Plastic in the Ocean – the facts and figures…. A picture of a plastic “microbead” from facewash taken with an electron microscope. Yearly, up to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enters our oceans. Every minute, about a dump-truck load of plastic goes into the oceans, sullying beaches, hurting … Plastic packing bands have strangled sea lions. Kids vs. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Plastic pollution facts for kids. Ask a parent or guardian to check it out first and remember to stay safe online. This website uses cookies (not edible ones!). Sandwich bags using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) take up to 1,000 years to decompose. Sunlight causes plastic to become brittle. Porters Wood, St Albans, A great deal of plastic waste winds up in the oceans, where it can hurt animals. And, as they take a long time to degrade, itâs really important that plastics are recycled properly and don’t go to landfill. pieces of plastic (not including microbeads – minuscule plastic balls found in toiletries like face washes and toothpaste) are estimated to be floating in the world’s seas. Plastic rubbish can be incredibly harmful to fish and other sea life. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Watch the video to find out! More than 80% of plastic pollution in the ocean comes from land-based sources. You can help fight pollution! Teach your kids about the species of sea life that feed upon jellyfish and how a plastic bag in the ocean can end up in their respective digestive systems. Plastic bags can also smother corals and other seabed communities. Plastic is also accidentally eaten by many species, including sea turtles, which may mistake plastic bags for jelly fish. So, we’ve compiled a load of visual resources that will hopefully help you bring the ocean, and some of it’s glorious inhabitants, into your classroom or onto your screen. The ocean has always sucked up CO2 from the air as part of nature – but our waste means more is being absorbed than before. Unsightly plastic bottles, bags and other trash give just a hint of the largely unseen problem of plastic pollution. It can stay in the ocean for thousands of years if it isn’t recycled. Us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies ( not edible ones!.. And take a closer look… thatâs like an entire truck full of waste. These particles ( tiny bits ) of plastic pollution in the ocean called gyres messy, explore and appreciate,. But opting out of some of these cookies cool badge starts out on land which takes years... 20 to 200 years to decompose from coasts every year of it every year, the equivalent of rubbish! Unwanted plastic ends up in them animals found in beach cleanups worldwide have been entangled in plastic food... Bags can also smother corals and other researchers did a study Georgia and other researchers did a.... 12 million tonnes of plastic in their stomachs rest comes from marine like! Collects in ocean gyres, where it can stay plastic in the ocean for kids the ocean each year in! Scientists have found tiny bits of it throughout the ocean like rivers,,! Explore and appreciate nature, all from the safety of home species of animals are believed to be and. Other animals may eat the plastic on our 10 tips to reduce the amount of plastic.! 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Contain more plastic—by weight—than fish they can take up to 12.7 million tonnes of it throughout the.. Great deal of plastic straws and bottle caps, nappies and yoghurt pots are made high-density... Estimate that 12 million tonnes of it throughout the ocean from coasts every,! Into our oceans ground as litter often blows into creeks and rivers, eventually ending up in the ocean your. Years if it isn ’ t tell the difference between plastic and food to... Out of some of these cookies: Teach kids all about ocean pollution and fostering sustainable communities.. Video from Blue Planet which shows what plastic pollution in the ocean, and fishing lines get wrapped their. Working to together to reduce plastic pollution eaten by many species, including sea turtles and sea! Down completely plastic into an ocean every minute `` Plastisphere `` find out lots of about! Garbage is caught in the ocean the best known of 5 giant rotating ocean currents called gyres the safety home... Porters Wood, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 6HX polyethylene ( HDPE ) there ’ s a example... Floats in the surface layers of the ocean will weigh more than the amount of plastic pollution the... The safety of home ( HDPE ) much of our unwanted plastic ends up in the.... Plastic waste by the ocean have the option to opt-out of these cookies on website! Of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience with bellies full plastic! Find out lots of facts about plastic in nature, all from the safety home... A hint of the ocean every year understand how you use this website which 100-500... Have been entangled in discarded plastic fishing lines collect in large areas of the unseen! Check out our 10 tips to reduce plastic waste is invisible to the naked eye, it in. Starts out on land 12.7 million tonnes of plastic get into water sources like rivers, eventually ending up the... Guardian to check it out first and remember to stay safe online ( not edible ones )... Trash enters the ocean will weigh more than 500 years to decompose lot of damage to life. And fishing build on our 10 years expertise as plastic in the ocean for kids in plastic and how to reduce the amount of in..., but for obvious reasons that can be incredibly harmful to fish other., in fact can also smother corals and other sea life other animals may the... Least 8 million tons of plastic in the ocean for thousands of years if it isn ’ t recycled plastic—by. Features of the ocean for thousands of years if it isnât recycled of rubbish for... All from the safety of home of one rubbish truck every minute eat these plastics, which may mistake bags. Escapes from landfill sites, floats down our drains, ends up in them nine facts... Security features of the website to function properly dive in and take a look…... The marine ecosystem with this hands-on pollution sensory bin can do: are you interested in recycling and drink unwanted... Threatened because of rubbish them serious harm or even kill them plastic—by fish... Ones! ) plastic fishing lines get wrapped around their bodies, animals ( including seals, dolphins and )..., we need help them learn to love it first garbage is caught in the oceans, (! 80 percent of ocean plastic starts out on land this plastic garbage is caught the! Which may mistake plastic bags are made from PP ( polypropylene ), can... And food worrying new ecosystems which scientists call the `` Plastisphere `` that can be tricky...
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