Commentary
MCS wants an end to all litter in our seas and on our beaches. Sadly, according to our BeachWatch litter surveys conducted by thousands of our volunteers, beach litter has gone up 110% since 1994.
MCS wants an end to all litter in our seas and on our beaches. Sadly, according to our BeachWatch litter surveys conducted by thousands of our volunteers, beach litter has gone up 110% since 1994. Plastic litter by a staggering 146%.
This has to stop. Litter is not just an eyesore; it’s harmful to us and kills and injures wildlife that eat or get entangled in it. Plastic litter, from the smallest pellet to vast quantities of synthetic fishing net, now forms the majority of litter found on shores worldwide, so it’s vital we all work together to turn the tide.
Plastic litter can take centuries to break down and may never fully degrade. It disintegrates into smaller pieces and ultimately, microscopic dust. Recent research shows plastic particles can adsorb toxins from the surrounding environment, which have the potential to get into the food chain.
This all adds up to a serious problem for future generations unless we act now.
The solution is stunningly simple – stop putting litter into the sea and onto beaches! As a small charity, MCS can’t tackle this problem alone. Governments, industry and the general public need to start considering this problem and helping us to fight a growing tide of litter.
Working together, we can bring about a change that can only be to everyone’s advantage. Ultimately, we all want the same thing – clean and safe seas for our wildlife and ourselves.
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Steven Pacitti
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