{"id":10140,"title":"Swimming in Plastic","description":"The petrochemical industry didn\u2019t make its debut until the 1940s, when they introduced new methods for textile production, man-made fibres and began mass-production of plastic. Since then, more than 8 million tons of\u00a0plastic\u00a0have been dumped into the oceans every year.","content":"

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Turtles symbolize life and Earth in many Native cultures. Teachers of Native American wisdom share with us that the turtle represents the peace-maker, and the sacred feminine. Native tribes respect the turtle for living in harmony with the Earth. This wisdom must be revived.<\/p>

There are seven species of sea turtles, the earliest ancestors have been estimated to appear on Earth around\u00a0220 million years<\/a> ago, and today\u2019s sea turtles are living evidence that they have evolved to thrive successfully beneath the waves.<\/p>

That was until plastic came along.<\/p>

For harmony of life on land and sea to be restored, humanity needs to take responsibility for the mountains of pollution that we\u2019re flooding Earth with.<\/p>

Why do sea turtles eat plastic?<\/strong><\/h2>

Research has shown that\u00a052%<\/a>\u00a0of the world\u2019s sea turtles, and nearly every seabird, have ingested\u00a0plastic waste. The reasons are simple: a floating plastic bag can look like a lot of jellyfish, algae, or other species that compose the sea turtles\u2019 diet.<\/p>

The petrochemical industry didn\u2019t make its debut until the 1940s, when they introduced new methods for textile production, man-made fibres and began mass-production of plastic. Since then, more than\u00a08 million tons of\u00a0plastic<\/a><\/u>\u00a0have been dumped into the oceans every year \u2014 roughly equivalent to dumping a 14 ton garbage truck of plastic waste into the ocean every minute.\u00a0<\/p>

Obviously, these plastics have a devastating impact on sea turtles and all marine life.<\/p>

Tragically, it\u2019s not just ingesting plastics that cause problems for turtles; they will drown, be eaten or starve to death when they get entangled in abandoned fishing nets, and the accumulation of plastics at nesting beaches also means baby turtles are\u00a0at risk from plastic entanglement, preventing them from ever reaching the sea.<\/p>

What happens to the sea turtles who eat plastics?<\/strong><\/h2>

Once a turtle swallows plastic they are unable to throw it back up. For some, ingesting just one piece of plastic is enough to be fatal. For others, the ingested plastic gets stuck in the their gut, limiting their ability to digest and absorb food, often leading to slow starvation. Plastic can also cause additional problems through the\u00a0release of toxic chemicals<\/a>\u00a0into their tissues.<\/p>

Even if they survive all of that, consuming plastic can make turtles unnaturally buoyant, which can stunt their growth and lead to\u00a0slow reproduction rates<\/a>.<\/p>

What can I do?<\/strong><\/h2>

With odds stacked heavily against sea turtles, it can be difficult to know how you can help. Many consumers are doing better to reduce plastic pollution by recycling and reducing single-use items, but it\u2019s not enough on its own.\u00a0<\/p>

Governments must step up to take accountability and set standards that protect the environment, but it\u2019s largely the responsibility of the companies producing these environmental poisons to find a better way, a cleaner alternative. To persuade them to go green, we must all take a stand and demand better. Ultimately, the responsibility rests in the hands of each one of us to consistently make a conscious choice to invest in products that are plastic-free. We vote with our dollars, every dollar we spend is a vote for or against the continued use of poisonous plastics.<\/p>

It\u2019s important to choose natural, biodegradable plastic-free products. Buy organic, spray-free items, whenever possible.<\/p>

Where can I start?<\/strong><\/h2>