China News Service, July 25. According to the "Central News Agency" report, according to a new study published on the 23rd, the amount of plastic waste that flows into the ocean every year and causes the death of marine life may reach three times the current amount in 20 years. This disaster can only be avoided unless governments and companies take action to reduce the number of plastic products.
Data map: On March 3, 2018, a British man photographed a shocking scene while diving in Bali waters. There were a lot of plastic garbage floating in the ocean. Image source: Visual China
The research, commissioned by scientists and industry experts from the Pew Charitable Trust and a British company, was published in the American journal Science. The study pointed out that if no action is taken, the amount of plastic waste flowing into the ocean every year will increase from the current 11 million tons to 29 million tons in 20 years. By 2040, a total of 600 million tons of plastic waste will be floating in the sea, equivalent to the weight of 3 million blue whales.
According to reports, the non-governmental organization "International Solid Waste Association" pointed out that during the new crown epidemic, the consumption of disposable plastic products has increased significantly. On remote beaches in Asia, masks and latex gloves are washed ashore every day; landfills around the world are also full of unprecedented take-out meal boxes and online express packaging materials.
Winnie, a co-author of the study and senior manager of the Pew Charitable Trust, said: “Plastic pollution affects everyone. This is not your problem, my problem, a country’s problem, this is everyone’s problem... what if we If nothing is done, the situation will get worse."
Pew's research puts forward a series of solutions, including setting up recycling facilities and expanding garbage collection, which can reduce the amount of plastic garbage that is expected to flow into the ocean by more than 80%.