Plastic waste dumped in oceans will TRIPLE in just 20 years – with 50 kilos of rubbish for every metre of coast
PLASTIC waste in our oceans is expected to triple in the next 20 year because efforts to stem it are barely making an impact.
Current and planned efforts to tackle the problem will only be able to reduce the plastic volume by about 7%, according to a new investigation.
The recent research was conducted by scientists and industry experts for The Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ.
They think their solutions could cut plastic entering the ocean by around 80%.
The study, published in the journal Science, claims that previous estimates of the amount of plastic waste in the ocean are wrong.
Instead of around 8million tonnes, the true figure could be closer to 11million tonnes of waste.
If the current trend continues, plastic waste in the ocean could grow by 29million tonnes by 2040.
That's 50kg worth of plastic for every metre of coastline on Earth.
Once plastic is in the ocean, most of it is thought to stay there forever.
This is problematic because it breaks down into microplastics that are harmful for the environment and our health.
Recycling more, improving waste collection and using plastic alternatives are all ways we can try and tackle the problem.
has recommended measures that governments and large companies need to take in order to help.
They include implementing laws against plastic and providing alternatives.
It's thought an investment of $150billion (£117billion) globally is needed to try and put these measures into place.
The measures could cut down greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic and could potentially create around 700,000 jobs.
What is microplastic?
Here's what you need to know...
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic measuring less than five millimetres.
Some of these microplastics have been made on purpose for things like cosmetics but secondary microplastics can be created as larger pieces break down.
Nanoplastics are even smaller pieces of microplastics that have worn down to smaller than a few micrometres.
It’s thought these nanoplastics can penetrate the guts of living organisms and become part of tissues and cells.
This is considered dangerous because plastic often contain toxic and cancer-causing chemicals.
Marine life can ingest these plastics and then they can enter the human food chain via fish and other seafood.
Scientists are still trying to work out how dangerous this plastic pollution will be for humans.
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In other news, a mysterious 'blue hole' at the bottom of the ocean is about to be explored by scientists.
Over 1,000 tons of plastic is raining down on the Western US each year, according to concerned scientists.
And, experts think climate change could cause areas of the ocean to turn a "deep green" colour by 2100.
Are you concerned about plastic pollution? Let us know in the comments...
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