Plastic Trash In The Ocean Isn’t As Bad As We First Thought, Reveals New Research From The Netherlands Times

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Researchers in the Netherlands have unveiled findings that significantly challenge what we believe to be the plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. This means that it’s not as dire as we originally believed it to be.

This groundbreaking research offers a host of encouraging highlights and revelations. First of all, it shows that the abstract scientific modeling that has been used can be more than just wrong, but actually completely wrong. Secondly, it sheds light on the amazing efforts of a large number of organizations dedicated to cleaning out the oceans and rivers and the incredible efforts and differences they are making to the planet’s ecosystems.

The Netherlands Times has reported that estimates of plastic entering the oceans over the past two decades have ranged from a staggering 50 million to an alarming 300 million tons. However, the actual figure appears to be in the vicinity of a much more modest 3.2 million tons.


Oceanologist Mikeal Kaandorp and his team based their calculations on a large amount of “reliable” data, encompassing an impressive 20,000 measurements. Among the noteworthy findings are that rivers contribute considerably less plastic to the oceans than previously assumed, and microplastics constitute a substantially smaller proportion of plastic waste than previously estimated.

According to The NL Times, these large models on the amount of plastic going into the oceans are based on how much plastic has been made, as well as how much has been recycled, how much has been buried or incinerated, and how much is unaccounted for.

Environmental organizations have positioned that an annual influx of 10 million tons, primarily through river systems, ultimately reaches the oceans. However, Kaandorp cautions against presuming that every piece of unaccounted-for plastic invariably ends up in the ocean.

The research also shows that a lot of the plastic isn’t making it into the earth’s waters, but of the amount that does, an even more substantial amount than previously thought becomes trapped in the river systems.

The Netherlands-based non-profit company, The Ocean Cleanup, has actively engaged in the cleanup of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which has also referred to studies estimating that “millions of tons” of plastic enter the oceans annually.


Kaandrop’s conclusions suggest that since 2000, approximately 3.2 million tons of plastic have entered the ocean, averaging around 130,000 tons annually. While still a significant concern, this figure is considerably lower than previously assumed.

These discoveries are quite vital, mostly because they can help lessen the feeling of hopelessness of people wanting to try and make a difference in plastic pollution. Even nations with the strongest environmental commitments had no feasible strategies to address the Great Pacific Garbage Patch until The Ocean Cleanup took the initiative.

Should the 30 wealthiest nations unite to remove 4,333 tons of debris annually from oceans and rivers, it would align with Kaandrop’s model of the actual yearly plastic influx – a goal well within reach and entirely manageable at that.

 

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