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They both are translucent. While we as humans are able to identify plastic bags versus a moon jelly, marine species can’t. Plastic bags in the ocean are often mistaken by marine species like sea turtles for jellyfish. This causes blockages within their digestive system and eventually death! Not just that once in the ocean, plastic breaks down into tiny fragments known as micro plastic. These micro plastics are again mistaken by smaller organisms for food. We are only now realizing how big the problem is and scientists have already started seeing plastic in the tiniest organism to the animals on top of the food chain.
Humans produce over 300 million tons of plastic each year, a whooping 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. In the USA alone, around 102.1 billion plastic bags are used by Americans every year. More than 8 million tons of plastic is dumped into oceans. Millions of marine animals are killed from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastics.
We all have an obligation to do something to solve this growing problem. The least we can do is cut down the use of plastic and educate and inspire others to do the same.
Join me Shravan Regret Iyer @shravanregretiyer3lenses and explore ‘This is America’. Visit @shravanregretiyer@regretiyerproductions and https://shravanregretiyer.com for more immersive stories.