WWF Alerts on Detrimental Impacts of Marine Plastic Pollution

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The report of the recent study conducted by Germany-based Alfred Wegener Institute on behalf of the environmental campaign group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) spotlights the impacts of plastic pollution in the oceans on marine species, biodiversity and ecosystems.

According to the study, annual emissions into the world’s oceans were estimated at around 19-23 million tons in 2016. The commercial production and use of plastics became widespread after the Second World War. Since then, the emission of plastic waste into oceans has grown tremendously. Nowadays, much of the plastic pollution comes from single-use items.

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The study notes that certain regions, such as the Mediterranean, the East China and Yellow Seas already contain dangerous levels of plastic. The other regions are at the risk of becoming increasingly polluted in the near future. The plastic pollution has not only impacted every species in the ocean, but also has harmed the important ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves.

The report recommends that policymakers should immediately focus on preventing any more plastic from entering the oceans. The pollution could be controlled only through drastic change in consumer behaviour along with strict policy actions and initiatives by the governments.