Jued S.

Cisneros Special Issues in International Law

11686448

Reaction Paper: A Plastic Ocean

A whale-observing Craig Leeson stumbles upon a tragic truth about the supposed
pristine Indian Ocean. Being miles off the coast of Sri Lanka, it is unlikely that he was still
able to recover in open waters one of the most hazardous materials humans had made –
Plastics. What turns out to be a commonly exploited material due to its durability, such
material’s durability even endangers that whole biosphere to the point that it literally
poisons all possible life forms.

A Plastic Ocean is a documentary which shows us the dangers of irresponsible

consumption of plastics especially which composed of synthetic polyethylene. Plastics
being dumped incessantly succumbs not only the sanitary conditions of human cities and
settlements but also victimized innocent wildlife as well regardless of their habitat.
Moreover, due to plastics being non-biodegradable and only breaks into smaller and
smaller pieces as time goes by, it trespasses the food chain by means of being mistakenly
eaten as food by animals. As pointed out in scientific studies, micro plastics traps harmful
carcinogenic chemicals which would then leak into tissues of those animals who have
eaten it. This process would even directly end up into our palates by means of eating
contaminated seafood.

Just thinking the fact that I can literally eat plastics is not just alarming and
disgusting. It also makes you feel how rash humankind had become to the point of
hopelessness. As it was dreadful to know the damage of unprecedented plastic
contamination, so was my thoughts of improving my daily routine to be less reliant on
plastics. It really is important to live out the emerging principles and concepts of
international environmental law – not just for myself, as it should always start, but also
with the whole humanity in general.

One of the key principles of International Environmental Law is Sustainable

Development. As defined by the Brundtland Commission, it is a “development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.” Considering the patent ways of plastics from being a cheaper way of
durable storage into a necessary equipment, such material indeed made exceptional
contributions in human ingenuity. As much as we enjoy utilizing its practical necessities,
problem also arises through its improper disposal and irresponsible use.

For real, it is alarming to see, as presented in this documentary, the unprecedented

scale of plastic waste that is being disposed of by humankind. Seeing tons and tons of
plastic waste, it is unfortunate to see a future where our grandchildren would enjoy pristine
white beaches which are colored by plastic packaging and tetra packs. A white canvas
littered by the pigment of plastics will remind us of the failure of this present generation
from preventing such tragic scenery – a plastic littered world. Hence, it is important to be
mindful of the right to a balanced and healthful ecology not just of the present but also of
the future generations to come.

More so, it is also significant to recognize the interdependence of all the elements
and aspects that make up this world. One act that would harm may soon affect another
and another and so forth. Just as it was portrayed in the documentary, one plastic thrown
heedlessly into a river will soon ends up into our oceans. Once the oceans became
polluted of plastics, with the help of rising temperature and the forces of the tides, plastics
broke down into tiny pieces. These tiny pieces would soon be mistaken as food by marine
animals which then results into intermixing with the food chain. And finally, those
consumed plastics will affect such marine animals’ tissues which could be ended up into
the stomachs of the ones who have thrown the plastics themselves. As the saying goes,
what you give to the environment will always come back to you. No matter how
conscientious you are on keeping your rubbish away from your home, it will still keep on
returning unbeknownst to us since it could end up into our mouths.

Knowing the fact that we recognize the interdependence of our actions for and
against the environment and our responsibility to provide for the next generation will make
it possible for us to achieve a sustainable development amidst the utilization of plastics.
As it was portrayed in the documentary, ignorance or a lack of knowledge on how to care
for the environment also escalates the garbage problem in a certain community. Just as
it did in the places stricken with poverty such as in Tuvalu and the Baseco Compound in
the Philippines. They see their surroundings as a means to make a living and were
ignorant of the fact that such filth should not even exist at the first place especially that
their homes were beside the coastline. Thus, it is much more important to take care of
their surroundings and cherish a fruitful ecology in their own vicinities.

As I learned more about the vile effects of plastics in the environment and animals
alike, one question sticks to my mind. “How did we come about this?” It seems humankind
really took Mother Earth for granted. I, too, am guilty of this. Through this documentary,
the truth should stick into every minds of every sentient being on our planet. That is why
from now on, I am taking little steps to further contribute in lessening the plastic poisoning
of the Oceans and the Earth. For every little steps, there accumulates a bigger outcome
that would benefit not just the Earth but all of the one living on it.