Plastic pollution in the world's oceans has reached 'unprecedented levels' over the past 15 years, a new study has found, calling for a legally binding international treaty to stop the harmful waste.
The amounts were higher than previous estimates, and the study found that the rate of plastic entering the oceans could accelerate several-fold in the coming decades if left unchecked.
"We see a really rapid increase since 2005 because there is a rapid increase in production and also a limited number of policies that are controlling the release of plastic into the ocean," contributing author Lisa Erdle told AFP.Fishing gear like nets and buoys often end up in the middle of the ocean, dumped or dropped by accident, while things like clothing, car tyres, and single-use plastics often pollute nearer to the coast.
That includes the 1988 MARPOL treaty, a legally binding agreement among 154 countries to end the discharge of plastics from naval, fishing, and shipping fleets.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
More than 170 trillion plastic particles found in the ocean as pollution reaches 'unprecedented' levels | CNNThe world’s oceans are polluted by a “plastic smog” made up of an estimated 171 trillion plastic particles that if gathered would weigh around 2.3 million tons, according to a new study.
Read more »
There are 21,000 pieces of plastic in the ocean for each person on EarthThe trillions of plastic particles weigh roughly 2.4 million metric tons and are doubling about every six years, according to a major new study.
Read more »
171 trillion plastic particles floating in oceans as pollution reaches 'unprecedented' levels, scientists warnScientists have found a 'rapid increase' in ocean plastic pollution that has created a 'plastic smog' in the world's oceans made up of an estimated 171 trillion plastic particles.
Read more »
Apple Veteran Larry Jackson Launches Gamma, Bringing ‘Unprecedented’ Private Equity to Frontline Music BusinessWith major backing, Jackson acquired the distributor Vydia and signed stars like Usher and Snoop Dogg to the “best capitalized music company” going head to head with the world’s big three.…
Read more »
Ocean-drilling ship that revolutionized Earth science due to retireThe US National Science Foundation has announced that it will retire its flagship ocean drilling research vessel rather than extend its operation, as many researchers had hoped. It blamed the US$72 million annual expense of running the 44-year-old vessel
Read more »
Microplastics Are Polluting the Ocean at a Shocking RateNew analysis shows some 11 billion pounds of plastic particles are floating across the world—in only the top foot of seawater. But the study also points to hope, if countries act now.
Read more »