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Fernando Duran
Mr. Gango-4
September 29, 2014
Ocean Pollution and Waste Reduction
Once thought to be an unlimited natural resource, the ocean seemed to provide an endless
array of supply and goods ranging from food to tourist attractions (Panetta). Now that the oceans
health is slowly deteriorating, it is obvious that it is in fact limited. Pollution is one of the
greatest factors affecting oceans worldwide; as the phenomena continue to take effect, so will its
drastic effects. The oceans survival depends on those individuals who are willing to take the
initiative to act against pollution, before it becomes too late. Everyone should be committed to
take action in saving the ocean, as this dilemma pertains to everyone. Humans have greatly
damaged the marine ecosystem, they have tried to enforce certain regulatory acts for the
environments protection, and are now thinking of ways in which everyone could contribute to
conserve the marine environment.
Human ignorance is destroying one of the most vital natural resources of the planet, the
ocean. Pollution produced by humans is greatly affecting marine ecosystems. For example coral
reef systems, one of the most important systems in the marine environment, are unfortunately a
common victim of pollution (Sielen). They dying off due to changes in water quality caused by
pollution. Air pollution, such as the increase of carbon dioxide, has been found to cause the
oceans waters to become more acidic, threatening the very delicate, water quality sensitive reefs
(Sielen). Many organisms ranging from shrimp to predators such as sharks depend on the coral
reefs for their means of survival and its downfall can affect the entire ecosystem.

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There are many different forms of pollution, the most noticeable types are oil and gas
spills (Sielen). Other forms of pollution might come from polluted air (smog) caused by gas
emissions or greenhouse gas emissions (usually from plastic waste), later affecting water quality
(United States). Although these forms of pollution may sound very drastic, they create a much
less significant impact on the ocean than the waste that is found floating throughout the sea
(Sielen).
Thousands of marine animals die year round due to suffocating or getting entangled with
floating waste. Fishing nets are reliable for many deaths within marine animals. Various types of
animals ranging from sea birds to dolphins sometimes find themselves trapped within a nets
grasp and will find no escape (Woodward 120). The most common, and harmful, waste found
throughout the sea are plastic-made items such as bottles (Sielen). All the waste that eventually
ends up in water systems not only have a negative impact on the ocean but other resources such
as rivers and lakes, affecting their ecosystems as well.
Ocean pollution will not only be a threat to the ocean, but it may also pose a threat to
human health. The chemicals produced by the ocean waste travel up the food chain primarily
harming fish and later harming all the other organisms that consume the fish (Sielen).
Studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have linked exposure to persistent
organic pollutants to death, disease, and abnormalities in fish and other wildlife. These
pervasive chemicals can also adversely affect the development of the brain, the
neurologic system, and the reproductive system in humans (Sielen).
Since fish, shrimp, and other seafood commonly found within the market would have a high
concentration of pollutant chemicals, certain toxins may very well end up in peoples stomachs.

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It is therefore important to take action not only for the sake of the ocean but for human safety as
well (Sielen).
There is a devastating amount of unclaimed trash that floods its way through water
systems. About 80 percent of marine waste, most of which is plastic, comes from land (Natural
Resources). When the trash enters the ocean, currents cause the waste to collect and form in coils
throughout the waters surface (Sielen). A great example is the infamous Great Pacific Garbage
patch, which spans hundreds of miles across the North Pacific Ocean (Sielen). This garbage
patch, containing a variety of trash such as plastic and nets, proves to pose a great threat to any
marine animal within the area (Sielen).
The trash-filled Mississippi River is constantly flowing out waste to the Gulf of Mexico.
The amount of trash entering the gulf is so immense that it now leads to a dead zone about the
size of the state of Massachusetts (Panetta). Marine animals such as whales, sharks, and sea
turtles are frequently dying from the harmful effects they encounter with plastic pollution. Plastic
waste usually causes marine life to suffocate from choking or starve due to intestinal blockage
(Natural Resources). These drastic outcomes have undoubtedly caught the attention of many and
has sparked a sense of guilt within most individuals.
When people first began to notice that certain habits they practiced were causing various
changes to the environment, they knew that something needed to be done. There have been
numerous efforts to try to conserve the ocean environment. In 1990, for example, Congress came
up with the acid rain cap program, which proved to be effective in reducing air pollution
(Woodward 123). Recent presidents have also attempted to come up with solutions to help
reduce the amount of pollution produced. In February 14, 2002, President George W. Bush
proposed the Clear Skies Initiative. The proposal entirely focused on reducing the amount of air

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pollution caused by power plant emissions. The Clear Skies Initiative has since then reduced air
pollution by 29 percent and increased our economy by 160 percent (Woodward 122). The fact
that the economy rose while air pollution decreased demonstrates that ecological practices do
create jobs and is very beneficial to our economy.
The U.S. government has attempted to change the way in which people view the
environment. They have come up with different methods of trying to get people to think
environmentally. One way in which they have tried to enforce the importance of the environment
is by participating in Environmental Preferable Purchasing. Being committed to that particular
program, the government is constantly looking to buy eco-friendly products in place of their
common brands. Being one of the countrys greatest suppliers, it crucial for them to set the
example for the rest of the country to follow (Woodward 120). The government has also
accomplished to proclaim some coastal areas as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Marine
Protected Areas help with ocean conservation since they enforce strong regulations regarding the
area being protected. By doing so, they are reducing human activity, thus having less of
disturbance to the marine community (Sielen).
The harm that ocean pollution has done to the marine environment is irreversible.
Although it has been damaged form years of carelessness, it is still not too late to prevent more
plastic trash from getting into the oceans shore. A proven solution is to try to reduce the amount
of waste that enters the water system. This can be accomplished by reducing the amount of waste
produced in the first place. Any individual can help support waste reduction by recycling
products that are not needed as well as reusing items more than once.
Recycling plays a great role in reducing the amount of plastic pollution created. A
majority of people have recently committed themselves recycling certain recyclable items. The

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most common items being recycled are plastics, aluminum cans, paper and cardboard. Of these
items, 54.6% of Americans recycled aluminum cans, 30.8% recycled plastic bottles, and 70%
recycled paper and newspaper (Municipal Solid Waste). The main incentive that drives so many
individuals to recycle is either the refund value provided from empty cans and bottles or the
mandatory recycling of paper enforced by municipal law. According to the IPSOS poll, these
forms of recycling, most commonly committed to at the home, are practiced by only 57% of
Americans (Smith). While 72% of recycling takes place at home, only 28% of recycling activity
occurs in public areas (Smith). Many public areas such as schools and parks are also increasing
their recycling programs to make sure they do not end up in the landfill or, even worse, in the
ocean. Public recycling greatly reduces the amount of recyclable trash left behind or dumped
outside and is especially convenient near a natural resource.
A major source that brings about unneeded trash usually come from packaging as well.
individuals need to recycle and never litter, but producers of single use plastic packaging
need to do more too (Natural Resources). Packaging uses an excess of trash, most of which is
usually not recyclable. It is important for the producers of the packages to come up with new
ways in which to make packaging fully recyclable (Natural Resources). Another thing that
environmentalists find beneficiary is the replacement of certain plastics with bio-degradable
material. Bio-plastics will have a much less impact on the marine ecosystem if it were to reach
the ocean, especially those made from agricultural residue (Natural Resources).
Reusing products contributes to both the conservation of money as well as the
environment. Buying reusable items will save individuals a significant amount of money in the
long run. This is another very effective method of reducing the amount of waste; by constantly
using one particular item several times rather than just once, you are having to buy less of that

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product while preventing much of the waste from being thrown away (United States). Reusable
water bottles, for instance, are great in reducing the amount of plastic water bottles used.
Purchasing reusable items in place of disposable items are also a beneficial consideration
(Reducing and Reusing). Various eco-friendly products in todays market have to compete with
the more commonly known mainstream brands (Woodward 120). The federal government
should strengthen its green purchasing program. Its success or failure will have an enormous
impact on other purchasers and in turn, the environment (Woodward 121). The governments
participation in environmental efforts has slowly created individuals to be considerate of the
environment.
The effects of ocean waste clearly demonstrate that cutting down on waste is no longer a
choice, but an obvious necessity. If people do not soon realize that our means of disposing waste
are damaging the marine environment, it will be too late to act and the outcomes would be
inevitable. The ocean, while being very massive, is very sensitive and has little tolerance of the
toxins being released by pollutants (Sielen). Recycling and reusing products are the most
efficient means of preventing excess waste. We all must work together to take on ocean pollution
in order for it to maintain its breathtaking views and diverse ecosystem.

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Works Cited

"Municipal Solid Waste." 28 February 2014. United States Environment Protection Agency.
Web. 23 October 2014.
Natural Resources Defense Counsil. Solutions to Plastic Pollution in our Oceans. 2014. 8 March
2014.
Panetta, E, Leon. "A conservation ethic for the oceans." America. 20 Oct. 2003: 8. eLibrary.
Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
"Reducing and Reusing Basics." n.d. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 16
March 2014.
Sielen, B, Alan. The Devolution of the Seas: The Consequences of Oceanic Destruction.
Foreign Affairs. 6(2013):124. eLibrary. Web. 4 Oct. 2014.
Smith, Carl. "Recycling surveys offer some suprising results ." May 2012. Call 2 Recycle. Web.
23 October 2014.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Introduction." n.d. EPA. web. 1 October 2014.
Woodward, John and Skancke, Jennifer. Conserving the Environment. Farmington Hills: Bonnie
Szumski, 2006.