13 Feb , 00:21
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An international group of scientists published shocking research results in the prestigious journal Science Advances about the devastating impact of microplastics on our planet. Experts claim that humanity faces an unprecedented threat, the scale of which has long been underestimated.
According to the study, about 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the World Ocean annually. For comparison: this is equivalent to the weight of 800 Eiffel Towers. Microplastics formed by the decomposition of this waste have been found even in the most remote corners of the planet - from the Mariana Trench to the summit of Everest.
Of particular concern is the fact that microplastic particles have been found in marine life, birds, and land animals. Studies show that an average person may consume up to 5 grams of plastic weekly - approximately equal to the weight of one credit card.
Historical records show that mass production of plastic began in the 1950s. Since then, more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced, of which only 9% has been recycled. The remaining amount is either in landfills or polluting the environment.
Experts call for immediate action to address the problem. Among the proposed measures are banning single-use plastics, developing recycling technologies, and finding environmentally friendly alternatives. However, without the active participation of every planet inhabitant, defeating the "plastic pandemic" will be impossible.
microplastics, ecology, environmental pollution, plastic waste, ocean, health, ecosystem, plastic recycling, global threat, ecological catastrophe Microplastics threaten the planet: scientists reveal scale of global ecological catastrophe New scientific research has shown the catastrophic impact of microplastics on planet's ecosystems and human health. Experts call for immediate action to combat environmental pollution from plastic waste.
