Cameron Harris

Tamera Davis

Composition I

December 9, 2018

Saving the Big Blue

The ocean is 70% of Earth's surface, the biggest source of life, and we are destroying it.

We need to help in efforts to stop pollution before the ocean reaches a point of no return, and as

our biggest resource, it is imperative. The garbage in the ocean demands immediate attention;

plastics, carbon emission, leaking oil, and constant noise are all types of pollution that threaten

the ocean.

The ocean is home to millions of different species, ranging from microscopic to colossal

organisms. Many of these species are in danger from the waste we produce. Our plastics float in

the water and can cause animals to choke on them or become trapped. The end result is

inevitable; the loss of the oceanic wildlife does not get the attention it deserves. The fish we are

killing with our pollution takes away from one of our primary food sources. The plastics that

work their way into the ocean are not natural products of Earth and do not decompose easily.

Although, eventually, they do begin to deteriorate into smaller plastic particles called nurdles.

Fish see these nurdle particles as food, and end up eating them, but cannot digest them. Due to

these nurdles, people have become upset with the state of the ocean. This does come with a silver

lining as citizens, like Bevis, try to do their part to help the ocean, “I’m sad at the state of our

beaches and feel the company responsible should be doing more to help clean up the spill” (Riley

2017). Eventually, the fish winds up in a fishing boat and on our plates. Plastics in the ocean are
hurting us just as much as the fish that are swimming in it; which is another reason to try to fix

the problem.

There are several organizations whose main agenda is attempting to stop plastics from

entering the ocean. Ocean Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, and Greenpeace are a few

organizations that are working hard toward this goal. Recently almost 200 countries signed a

resolution stating they were going to help reduce the trash in the ocean. Even China, the biggest

exporter of single use plastics, has vowed to cut back vastly on plastics (Ndiso 2017). As a user

of plastics, I can make sure my waste does not end up in the ocean simply by recycling or

choosing longer-lasting products. Even participating in movements such as No-Straw November

could help exponentially in lowering single-use plastics ending up in the ocean. It takes many to

accomplish a large goal. Going out of the way to help and support a cause will benefit the whole

planet. More people should be involved in this because we are the cause for the problem, and we

are the only ones who can provide a solution. Everyone needs to pitch in to make a difference.

Without them, trash is bound to slip past; as Jambeck explains, “even though we do have robust

and effective waste management systems, we have litter,” (Mosbergen 2017).

I hope to see clear waters and oceanic animals that can swim free without the chance of

dying in the near future. If we can get nurdles out of the ecosystem, the improved fishes’ health

will benefit us as well. The more people that help out, the more of an impact there is bound to be.

The garbage in the ocean needs to be taken care of fast; all the trash that ends up in the ocean is

going to be our problem eventually, it is just a matter of when and how.

 Citations

Ndiso, John. “Nearly 200 Nations Promise to Stop Ocean Plastic Waste.” Reuters, Thomson

Reuters, 13 Dec. 2017,

Riley, Tess. “The Fight Against The Tiny Plastic Pellets Choking Our Oceans.” The Huffington

Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 6 Dec. 2017,

Mosbergen, Dominique. “The Oceans Are Drowning In Plastic -- And No One's Paying

Attention.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 12 May 2017