As a concerned member of the community, I am writing to relay my thoughts on a considerable geo-social issue affecting the community. It is of considerable concern how pollution in the ocean has been a major predicament, which is not only affecting the water masses, but people as well. The pollution of the water masses not only inhibits water life, but also affects people’s health as well as other natural resources.
Although there are many natural wastes that affect the ocean life, it is evident that people are the principal cause of ocean pollution. Wastes such as toxic matter, plastics, and human wastes are some of the major sources of pollution in the ocean. In addition, chemicals such as bathing lotions, sunscreens, and other chemicals used by humans affect the toxicity level of water, which in turn affects marine life. Water is the most valuable resource for human beings, as such, it is pertinent for people to protect it.
Parent (7) asserts that solid content kills marine life, for instance, fish die due to their consumption of plastics. Up to 90% of foreign bodies, which float in the ocean, consist of plastics. it imposes some danger since it does not break down for a very long period of time (Parent 1).
When fish ingest plastics, they are unable to digest it since it cannot be broken down by their stomach chemicals. Eventually, they end up dying out of starvation being unable to find food. Large marine animals are also not exempted. They are affected by chemicals present in plastics and other things abundant in the ocean.
Chemicals from plastics in their turn increase global warming, which has been a major issue that affects the ocean causing water to rise in level eventually influencing animals, and humans near the ocean. Many people consume fish as food; when marine life is affected by toxic substance in the ocean, they can adversely affect humans to the extent of causing food poisoning, and even deformation of unborn children (Parent 8). Therefore, to save marine animals, it is necessary to conserve the ocean.
In order to make this dream a reality, people need to adopt changes starting from their own culture of behavior. These include aspects, such as training themselves to use reusable bags while going for shopping. Furthermore, people should avoid littering garbage and chemicals used in their homes into the ocean. Parent (4) contends that people should be interested in making the ocean pure and not polluted (Parent 1).
The government has been a supportive mechanism in this initiative by ensuring they provide litter bins in the surrounding areas near the ocean to enable those at the beach to put litter in the correct place. The community should work hand in hand with the set up organizations that ensure the safety and maintenance of the ocean. The organizations should also set up classes to educate the community on ways to protect the ocean, and the dangers they expose themselves to when they do not take care of it.
I do believe that if every person is to do all the right things in order to ensure the safety and maintenance of the ocean, people would be creating the best environment for themselves and their future generations.
Works Cited
Parent, Jason. Ocean Pollution Sources, Effects, and Prevention. 2010. Electronic Print.