Today, people all over the world are dumping trash into the ocean. Although we may not know how much trash is tossed, scientists have figured out how to calculate the amount of plastic in the ocean. In 2010, scientists calculated about 8 million tons of plastic dispersed in the ocean. Even worse, more and more plastic is increasing by the day. If this continues, the ocean will almost entirely be covered with plastic all over the world. Every individual should stop and prevent this tragedy.

Scientists have started studying how much plastic has spread throughout the ocean. Last year, scientists found 245,000 tons of plastic floating in the ocean. People all over the world are turning this beautiful, blue ocean into a disaster. Plastic in the ocean can also be a great harm to sea creatures that rely on a sustainable living environment. Plastic in the ocean can absorb toxins in the water. Therefore, some fish see it as plankton and eat the plastic, which causes death due to improper consumption. More than 100,000 sea creatures filled with plastic die of rotting intestines or starvation. Additionally, fish are collected as food in restaurants and contain toxins that people could eat. Humans also drink water that may contain the remnants of such toxins, which can negatively affect the body and cause cancer, asthma, infertility, and mental disorders.

The country that disposes the most plastic in the ocean is China. United States is 20th on the list, despite the fact that the United States uses a garbage collection system. The reason for this is because the United States has a large, dense coastal population and is a large consumer of products. If this improper disposal continues, about 155 million tons of plastic will be dispersed in the ocean every year. This catastrophe has a chance of becoming the downfall of society.

In conclusion, this kind of disposal has to end as soon as possible. If this keeps going on, the sea will be filled and covered with plastic, allowing it to kill every sea creature and affect humans. Currently, there have been sights of plastic even in the Artic, which has already killed many sea creatures. But, we still have a chance to save humanity. Scientists are creating inventions to get rid of the plastic in the ocean with boats that properly dispose them. Together, each individual can take steps to help a greater cause―a cause to save our oceans and planet.