With the nightmare that plastic pollution is creating in our oceans now high on political, personal and news agendas, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the UK’s leading marine charity, is throwing down the gauntlet to the public to take on its Plastic Challenge for the month of July.
With more plastic than fish (by weight) in our seas predicted to be a possibility by 2050, our reliance on plastic in all its forms is clear. MCS beach cleaning data has revealed a rise of 180 per cent of plastic litter found on beaches in the last two decades, posing a huge threat to wildlife and humans. Plastic bags, bottles and tiny plastic pieces, are regularly found in the stomachs of turtles and other sea creatures and in some cases have caused their death from starvation or choking. MCS is asking people to give up single-use plastics for the whole of July.
“This is a challenge that you can make as easy or as hard for yourself as you like,” says Dr. Sue Kinsey MCS Technical Specialist. “Reducing plastic litter will certainly be an uphill climb – but there are some easy steps to take and if we can all cut down the amount we use there’s no doubt our marine environment will be a healthier place. Have a go and even if you can only manage a single day, you’ll never look at your shopping in the same way again!” Sign up to take part in the Plastic Challenge 2018 at mcsuk.org/plastic-challenge
Image credit ©mcsuk.org