How Plastic Harms Seabirds

Image Credits:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/sea-birds-eat-plastic-waste-pcean-algae-smell-519554%3famp=1

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Plastic pollution has always been a significant problem in the world. However, many don’t fully understand how plastic buildup in oceans can harm sea life. Plastic is so durable, that the EPA proclaims that “every bit of plastic ever made still exists,” which is why there is still so much evident plastic in oceans. Plastic pollution is dangerous and poses as an extremely big threat to sea life. Some seabirds can mistake plastic items for food and ingest them by mistake. Since plastic can’t be broken down, it can get trapped in animal organs, causing internal problems and almost always death. Nearly every single seabird on Earth is eating plastic. Around 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs, and this number will only continue to rise due to a day to day worldwide increase in plastic pollution.

One leading cause of seabirds ingesting plastic is because they mistake plastic for food and prey. For example, Albatross, a species of seabird, often mistake plastic for squid, one of their main prey. The number of species that mistake plastic for food will continue growing until changes are made to reduce plastic i

Another way plastic can harm seabirds, is through entanglement. Due to the millions of tons of plastic in oceans, plastic can easily get entangled around seabirds. Getting entangled in plastic is dangerous in several different ways. For penguins and other birds that dive underwater for their food, getting entangled in plastic underwater prevents them from being able to get back to the surface, so they drown. If plastic is wrapped around a bird tightly, it can cut the bird, which can lead to infections or even cause them to bleed out. Entanglement can also stop birds from moving, which can cause them to be unable to escape predators or go hunting for food.

According to studies, birds that ingested plastic had less body mass, wing length, head, and bill length. Even the kidneys of some birds were damaged due to the ingestion of plastic. Any amount of ingested plastic is enough to cause problems. As plastic breaks down in our oceans, it can release harmful chemicals that can attract birds. Many plastics used in everyday items, like shopping bags and water bottles, can absorb large amounts of chemicals. As they break down into smaller bits, they are almost impossible to see but are still harmful to the birds.

Plastic pollution to this day is a growing problem. Millions of tons of plastic will continue to take over our oceans on a day to day basis, destroying entire ecosystems. The only way to stop this is by taking action against plastic pollution. As of right now, billions are taking action to eliminate plastic pollution, and if many more pitch in to support this cause, we could see a drastic change in our oceans and in wildlife worldwide. This is our world and our choice. Let us make sure, we make the right choice. An extremely simple way to limit the amount of plastic entering our oceans is to use reusable products such as paper bags, metal water bottles, and more. More information will come out soon, on what you can do on your own, to make an impact on the world, but for right now try using the tips mentioned below.

• Stop using plastic straws

• Use reusable bags

• Purchase items in bulk

• Reuse containers for storing leftovers and other food

• Don’t use plasticware at home(find alternatives)

• Don’t buy food packages in plastic

• Bring your own bag to stores you shop at

• Use rechargeable batteries to reduce buying batteries packaged in plastic.

• Buy CDs packaged in cardboard sleeves or buy your music online.

• Buy your meat from the deli and have it wrapped in paper.