The Dangers of Plastic

Every year the annual amount of plastic consumption has been increasing, not only in Cyprus but throughout the globe. What most people are failing to realize is that plastic is creating negative impacts on the economy as it affects sectors including tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture, among others. Because the yearly amount of plastic consumption is increasing, this means that the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our waters is also increasing at a drastic rate. Marine plastic pollution plays a significant role in the marine ecosystem as it has impacted at least 267 different species worldwide – Plastic debris injures and kills fish, sea turtles, seabirds and other marine life.

One example of the dangers of plastic:

The Dangers of Plastic-2.0

While most people look at this picture and just see a piece of litter on the beach, we see something much more than that.

Animals are in danger of being caught on these types of items that are designed with cutouts of shapes, such as nets, or even tangled ropes. There have been many cases worldwide where an animal gets tangled in the debris and as a result, cuts off their circulation or airways as the animal grows. These animals range from sea turtles, seabirds, to fish.

We need to take responsibility, it is on each and every one of us to reduce the amount of litter generated throughout the island so that it does not end up in the mouths or around the necks of these innocent creatures. So if you see anything where it shouldn’t be, don’t be shy and pick it up!

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