Time is running out; the ocean and all its creatures are dying and it’s our fault.  The ocean was thriving before humans began participating in activities that are killing the ocean. Humans are making advances on the earth that are having detrimental effects on the ocean.

 

Pollution is the introduction of harmful or toxic substances into the environment unnaturally. Common man-made pollutants are pesticides, oil, detergent, herbicides, plastic, and many other materials. Scientists say that if we keep treating the earth the way we have been, we will create irreversible actions by the year 2100. Even if we stopped global warming right now, the earth would still be in danger unless we start turning it around.

 

Fish and other marine animals are rapidly dying due to the warming of the earth and pollution. It is important that we do something to save the ocean because if the reefs die, it will start affecting our breathing. This is because coral reefs produce oxygen as well serve as barriers from storms.Corals are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature and climate. Fish are also disappearing due to fishing and pollution. Small changes in temperature cause corals to lose their algae which acts as a protective layer. Between March and May of 2016, 70% of reefs suffered from this.

 

80% of oceans pollution comes from land.

Approximately 1.4 billion pounds of trash

enters the ocean a year. Most of it ends up

washed up on beaches, sinks to the bottom of

the ocean, or marine life eats it, unaware of

what it really is. Solid wastes, like plastic,

gets dumped into the ocean and are often

consumed by marine life and have fatal effects.

Trash in the ocean has catastrophic effects on

marine life. It can harm them by injuring them

 or by releasing harmful toxins into the ocean.

 

Ocean pollution also affects the food that we eat. Contaminants in the ocean get into the seafood that we eat and can be very harmful to humans. Over one third of shellfish growing in the waters of America are contaminated by the pollution.

 

Human waste is another thing that negatively affects the ocean. Right now, 80% of waste is being disposed into the Mediterranean Sea, and is not being treated.Not only does this kill marine life, this also has negative effects on human health and their breathing.

 

There are many things that can be done to save the ocean. One thing you can do is use fewer plastic products. Plastic kills tens of thousands of animals a year. Additionally, you can bring paper or fabric bags for groceries instead of plastic bags. Lastly you can be aware of your energy usage. Doing things such as driving cars contributes to pollution. You can also switch to fluorescent light bulbs to save energy and use a fan instead of using the heater.

 

Humans are destroying the ocean and killing millions of marine animals and it starts with humans to fix it. We have to start making changes before we kill the ocean for good.