Plastic debris is accumulating in our oceans at a steady and deadly rate. Conservative estimates suggest that eight million metric tons of plastic finds its way into the world’s oceans every single year. That is equivalent to two Empire State Buildings’ worth of plastic going into the ocean every month. Plastic pollution never completely biodegrades; instead, it just breaks down into small particles that remain in the ocean for years. These particles are consumed by seabirds, mammals, and even fish, with often fatal results.
Plastic pollution will have far-reaching impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems for centuries to come. To prevent our oceans from becoming completely inundated with plastic, we need to tackle the issue at its source by preventing plastic from entering the environment in the first place. These two fact sheets, Plastic Peril and Choked, lay out the facts of plastic pollution and suggest ways to curb this deadly threat.
Urge the Biden administration to enact a strong Global Plastics Treaty
Plastic pollution has been linked to everything from cancer in humans to death in wildlife. A strong Global Plastics Treaty could help rid the world of harmful plastics—and as one of the world’s largest producers and consumers of plastic, the United States has a critical role to play.
Related Resources
Ban Bycatch: The United States Must Ban Seafood Imports from Countries Failing to Protect Marine Mammals
Strengthening U.S. Leadership to Deter Illegal Seafood: Implementation Challenges and Recommendations for the Seafood Import Monitoring Program
