Junk.If you are like the average American, you toss out over 2 kilograms (4.5 pounds) of trash daily. Worst-case scenario worst-case scenario n → Schlimmstfallszenario nt : Instead of winding up in a landfill, that garbage may find its way into rivers and the oceans. Besides creating a massive mess, marine debris Marine debris usually applies to floating waste such as bottles, cans, styrofoam, cruise ship waste, offshore oil and gas exploration and production facilities pollution, and fishing paraphernalia from professional and recreational boaters. Marine debris is also called litter. can endanger wildlife. "If animals accidentally eat the trash, it can fill their stomachs so they feel full and eventually starve to death," says Seba Sheavly, director of The Ocean Conservancy's Office of Pollution Prevention and Monitoring. For a quick fix, each September, The Ocean Conservancy leads volunteers in a one-day global effort called the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC ICC See: International Chamber of Commerce ). The goal? Helpers scour scour, scours 1. the chemical and physical cleaning of fleece wool. 2. diarrhea. dietetic scour see dietary diarrhea. peat scour see secondary nutritional copper deficiency. beaches and waterways to pick up debris and compile data on the heap (see graph, below). Why gather trash stats? "Garbage tells a tale," says Sheavly. "Every piece has a person's face behind it." To pitch in on a long-term solution, Sheavly suggests reducing your consumption and recycling. Or, to join a clean sweep, visit: www.coastalcleanup.org. Did You Know? * Marine debris is harmful not only to animals, but to people too. Medical and personal hygiene waste often enter the ocean through sewer systems, bringing pollutants such as harmful bacteria. The contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. water can make swimmers ill. According to the National Resources Defense Council, there were 12,184 beach closings and advisories in the U.S. in 2002 due to unsafe water. * To help reduce waste, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and suggests the following: Use reusable products; buy products made from recycled material; compost food scraps and yard waste; recycle; and buy bulk or concentrated products to reduce packaging waste. Resources * To learn how to take part in protecting the oceans, visit: www.oceanconservancy.org * "How Water at the Beach Brings Havoc to the Shores," by Donald G. McNeil Jr., The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times, October 12, 2004. * "Trashed trashed adj. Slang Drunk or intoxicated. Our Living Language Expressions for intoxication are among those that best showcase the creativity of slang. ," by Charles Moore, Natural History, November, 2003. WHAT'S IN BEACH LITTER? More than 450,000 people in 91 countries took part in 2003 International Coastal Cleanup. Her is a breakdown of the 7.5 million pounds of trash they picked up. Other Items 19.5% Tobacco Packaging 2.0% Straws/Stirrers 4.2% Beverage Cans 4.8% Cups/Plates/Eating Utensils 4.9% Glass Beverage Bottles 5.0% Bags 5.4% Plastic Beverage Bottles 6.7% Food Wrappers/Containers 9.7% Cigarettes/Filters 29.5% |
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