Enjoy, Learn, and Experience the Sea

Protecting the Sea, Nurturing the Future

What is the problem with plastic in the ocean?

A lot of plastic things that everyone uses, like straws, bags, and bottles, are being thrown into the sea. Disposable plastic is getting into the ocean, and that's a problem.

Why is marine plastic a problem?

In 2019, a whale was found washed up on a beach in the Philippines. It had a shocking amount of plastic bags and other trash inside its stomach - about 40 kilograms! This wasn't the only time this happened. In 2018, a baby whale was also found dead in Japan with plastic in its stomach. Sadly, this happens to many other sea animals too, like sea turtles, dolphins, and even birds.

Sometimes, whales mistake plastic bags floating in the ocean for food. But plastic doesn't dissolve properly inside their stomachs. So, their stomachs get filled with plastic, leaving no room for real food like fish. This can make them very sick and eventually lead to their death.

It's not just whales. Sea turtles, dolphins, and seabirds also often suffer from plastic pollution. They might eat plastic bags or other trash, thinking it's food. They can also get tangled in plastic debris. This can injure them or even kill them.

It's heartbreaking to see animals suffer because of plastic pollution. We need to do everything we can to stop this from happening.

A seal tangled in a fishing net, unable to move.

A sea turtle mistakenly eating a plastic sheet, thinking it's a jellyfish.

Why is marine plastic a problem?

Will the oceans have more plastic than fish by 2050?

Did you know that in 2018, scientists found over 1.1 billion pieces of plastic tangled up in coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific region? That's a lot of plastic! And it's making the coral sick.

Every year, at least 12 million tons of plastic waste ends up in our oceans. And that number is only going up. If we don't do something, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050!

When the ocean gets dirty, it hurts all the beautiful creatures that live there. Coral, seagrass, and all the cute animals we love can suffer.

That's why it's so important for all of us to do our part to reduce plastic pollution. We can start by making small changes in our daily lives, like using reusable bags and water bottles, and recycling whenever possible.

Together, we can make a difference and keep our oceans clean and healthy for future generations.

Why is marine plastic a problem?

12 million tons sounds like a lot, right? Let's break it down to make it easier to understand.

12 million tons is the same as 12,000,000,000 kilograms. That's a lot of zeros!

To put that into perspective, that's about 32,876,712 kilograms of plastic every day.

Every hour, that's about 1,369,863 kilograms.

Every minute, that's about 22,831 kilograms.

And every second, that's about 380 kilograms!

That's like throwing two bathtubs full of trash into the ocean every second!

In just five seconds, the amount of trash thrown into the ocean is equal to one garbage truck (about 2 tons)!

It's important to remember that all this plastic pollution is harming the animals and plants that live in the ocean. We need to do our part to reduce plastic pollution and protect our oceans.

Why does plastic end up in the ocean?

Plastic is a convenient material, but its convenience also means it's often thrown away. Most of this discarded plastic ends up on the ground or in the air, where it's washed away by rain and wind into rivers and eventually into the ocean. It might surprise you, but most of the plastic in the ocean comes from land!

Once in the ocean, plastic waste can travel far and wide. It can float on the surface, drift underwater, or even sink to the bottom of the sea. This plastic pollution has a negative impact on the environment.

That's why it's important to think about how we dispose of the plastic we use. We need to reduce our use of single-use plastics and find more sustainable alternatives.

Floating Debris is trash that is either floating on the surface of the water or submerged just below the surface. It can be transported over long distances by wind, ocean currents, and tides.Floating Debris can include things like plastic, wood, and fishing gear.

Beached Debris is trash that has been washed up on the shore. It can include things like household waste (garbage from homes) and fishing gear (nets, ropes, and other equipment used by fishermen). Large trees and seaweed can also get mixed in with the debris.

Why does plastic end up in the ocean?

Plastic that isn't recycled properly can end up as trash in the ocean.Once in the ocean, plastic can harm animals and pollute the environment.

That's why it's important to sort out plastic waste at home.

Let's start with small things we can do to protect our planet!

©Tokyo Sky Tree

What should we do?

Let's reduce disposable plastic!

We can all do our part to help the Earth by using less disposable plastic.

Here are some easy ways to get started:

• Use a reusable bag when you go shopping.
  
• Bring your own reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
  
• Avoid using straws and plastic utensils.
  

What will you do to help?

You can start by taking small steps, like bringing your own reusable bag to the grocery store or using a reusable water bottle at school.

Every little bit helps!

By working together, we can make a big difference for the planet.

What should we do?

Picking up trash on beaches and in the ocean can help clean up our environment. In Vietnam, there are beach cleanup activities happening all the time! You can search online to find out where they are happening in your area.

Even if you can't participate in a beach cleanup, it's important to try to reduce the amount of trash you produce. If you do have trash, make sure to throw it away in a trash can.

Let's work together to keep our oceans and environment clean and beautiful!

Plastic pollution is a big problem for our planet. But if each of us tells our friends and family about it, and we all work together to find solutions, we can make a big difference!

Plastic trash can have a serious impact on the ocean and the environment. But our actions can make a difference and help create a more beautiful future for our planet!

Let's protect our oceans!

The Earth is mostly covered in water! Did you know that about two-thirds of our planet is made up of oceans? That's a lot of water! When the oceans get dirty, it's like our planet is getting dirty too. That's not good for the animals who live there or for the future of our Earth. But we can all do our part to help keep the oceans clean! Remember all the things we talked about before? By following those tips, we can make a big difference. Even small actions can make a big impact! When you choose to be mindful of the environment, you're helping to protect the amazing creatures in the ocean and make the Earth a healthier place. Your efforts can have a positive impact on oceans and creatures worldwide. I believe in you! Let's work together to bring back healthy and thriving oceans!

Here are ways YOU can be an ocean superhero!

Straws, spoons, forks - if you don't need them, skip them!

Before throwing something away, see if you can give it a new life!