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Today is Earth Day 55 years on. It started as a worldwide initiative in 1970, spearheaded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson and Congressman Pete McCloskey, both of whom were bipartisan. At that time, pollution, habitat loss, and the extinction of species were among the signs of environmental degradation brought on by industrial expansion. By 2024, the problems have only become worse, with plastic pollution being one of the most urgent issues.
Since its invention in 1950, plastic has permeated every aspect of our existence. Everything from Styrofoam cups to water bottles is convenient, but not without a price. Remarkably, 79% of all plastic ever made still ends up in the environment or in landfills. Globally, we use an estimated 5 trillion plastic bags annually, yet Americans alone use 50 billion plastic water bottles annually.
The effect of plastic on our oceans is arguably the most concerning. The marine environment and marine life are threatened by the 14 million tons of plastic waste that enter marine ecosystems each year. Small pieces of plastic that remain after bigger plastic objects break down are called microplastics, and they provide a particularly dangerous risk. It is predicted that by 2050, the amount of plastic waste in our oceans would be more than the total weight of fish.
But that's not where the issue ends. Additionally, microplastics are present in our drinking water; each year, the average American consumes more than 70,000 microplastic particles. Not only are marine environments impacted, but microplastic pollution on land is also a serious problem since it contaminates soil, streams, and food chains.
But amid these difficulties, there is also opportunity and hope. Focus is drawn to the global "60X40 movement," which seeks to reduce plastic manufacturing by 60% by 2040, through the Earth Day 2024 campaign. Reducing our dependency on single-use plastics and adopting environmentally friendly substitutes is essential for success.
But amid these difficulties, there is also opportunity and hope. Focus is drawn to the global "60X40 movement," which seeks to reduce plastic manufacturing by 60% by 2040, through the Earth Day 2024 campaign. Reducing our dependency on single-use plastics and adopting environmentally friendly substitutes is essential for success.
Promising solutions are provided by current technologies. With an estimated 99.9% efficacy in eliminating microplastics from drinking water, biologically-active slow sand filters demonstrate the power of innovation in addressing this problem. Additionally, implementing little behavioral adjustments like utilizing reusable bags and water bottles can drastically reduce the amount of plastic trash produced.
We can reverse the trend of plastic pollution by coming together as a group and taking aggressive steps. The year 2024 is a good moment to remember that it is everyone's duty to preserve the environment for coming generations. Let us renew our commitment to protecting the natural beauty and richness of our planet as we consider the advancements made since the first Earth Day in 1970. If we work together, we can change things.
We can reverse the trend of plastic pollution by coming together as a group and taking aggressive steps. The year 2024 is a good moment to remember that it is everyone's duty to preserve the environment for coming generations. Let us renew our commitment to protecting the natural beauty and richness of our planet as we consider the advancements made since the first Earth Day in 1970. If we work together, we can change things.