NG5 SHERWOOD JUNE/JULY 2021

our future climate, our decision
by Holly McGinty (Junior Reporter)
Based on the title of this piece, you may be
rolling your eyes and thinking “Great, another
young person preaching about the environment.”
However, as a young person I still don’t feel like
we are being listened to. It would be great if you
could spare 5 minutes to read this article. If we all
do our bit it will make a difference.
Plastic pollution. What is it? By definition, it is
determined as the accumulation in the environment
of synthetic plastic products to the point where they
create problems for wildlife and their habitats as well
as for human populations. Interestingly however,
plastic waste reflects humanities lack of recycling,
highlighted by the fact that the UK only recycle one
quarter of plastic (the remaining three quarters are
what go on to destroy wildlife).
This is such a massive issue, due to the
degradability of the material itself. The composition
of plastic is chemically formulated in such a way
that it can take over 400 years to fully degrade.
Within this time, it gradually collects and gathers
- eventually consuming our oceans. The largest
recorded plastic gyre (plastic garbage patch) in
the ocean is situated in the North Pacific (between
Hawaii and California) and is 1.6 million square
kilometeres.
Facing these sorts of statistics, though shocking, is
necessary. The prevention of any further, alarming
facts is also immensely important. That is why,
even the smallest of measures, can help to reduce
the global plastic pollution crisis. From carrying
your own, reusable metal water bottle, to venturing
into the world of second-hand furniture: minimal
changes can add up to produce a big difference.
Currently, only 4% of British households get a milk
delivery service. By finding a milkman who uses
glass bottles that can be reused and recycled you
are doing your bit.
Globally however, the management of plastic
waste must be more strictly controlled. Recycling
sorting facilities need to increase the specificity
within sorting plastics in order to ensure maximum
efficiency. This will prevent more unnecessary
plastic waste. A conscious effort to actively avoid
environmental ignorance can be the catalyst to a
better, less polluted ocean.
The occurrence of pollution not only greatly
threatens the survival of wildlife; but also threatens
food safety, human health, coastal tourism, and
climate change. That is why, now more than ever,
it is crucial we address the plastic pollution crisis
while there is still time to do so. As a young person, I
am desperately fearful of the world I will grow old in.
I am anxious for my future children - for the places
they will play and the water they will drink. It is easy
to dismiss these concerns, hide them away as they
are “too far off”, yet time flies.
Educate yourself on recycling. Small changes make
a BIG difference.
Charities you can support:
-Kids Against Plastic - set up by kids for kids
-Plastic Oceans UK - their mission is to stop plastic
reaching the ocean within a generation
-Sealife Trust - working to protect the world’s
oceans and the amazing marine life that lives within
them
-LessPlastic - provide practical ways for people
to make a difference by using less plastic and take
actions that generate nature
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