We are surrounded by plastic. According to The International Union for Conservation of Nature, 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year for use in a wide variety of applications. At least 12 million tons of plastic end up in our ocean every year, and make up 80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe injuries and deaths.
Plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, affects human health, coastal tourism and contributes to climate change.
There are many options we have if we act and ask our leaders to enact laws to ban thin plastics. During my childhood, we rarely used plastic. Practice questioning every plastic item you use like bags, cups, straws, and Styrofoam containers to reduce plastic waste. Learn more about plastics at: IUCN.org and endplasticwaste.org
Project Manager Supervisor, City of Austin and Member, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Austin Chapter
Submitted to the San Antonio Express-News
October 2022
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