Plastic Pollution

Dear Editor,

I am writing to you as a concerned 12 year old Boy Scout from Castro Valley, California about the ongoing problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. Plastic pollution can cause devastating problems. According to UNESCO, plastic waste makes up about 80% of all marine pollution and around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year. Research shows that by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea whereas all fish/marine life will be gone if nothing could be done. Currently, there are about 50-75 trillion pieces of plastic and microplastics in the ocean which later get to even more extreme amounts making so more marine life will be depleted.

As a Boy Scout, I have learned the importance of being prepared and taking care of our natural resources. I am deeply concerned that plastic pollution is a major crisis in the world. It is clear that we need to take urgent action to address this crisis.

I understand that addressing plastic pollution as a whole is a complex issue, and that there is no simple solution. However, I believe that there are steps we can take to reduce the amount of plastic we can have and ensure that everyone in Castro Valley can contribute.

For example, I believe that we should reduce the amount of plastic we produce and consume. We should limit the use of single-use plastic items such as plastic bags and water bottles. Instead, we should purchase reusable cloth shopping bags and metal or aluminum water bottles respectively, instead. We should also recycle plastic products so we don’t have to use and make more single-use plastic items. Preventing plastic waste from entering our waterways is strongly encouraged as plastic waste can kill marine life, especially sea turtles as they mistake plastic for jellyfish. By limiting littering and having stricter enforcement of illegal dumping, we can lessen the amount of plastic waste entering our rivers and seas.

Another way to help is by taking part in the monthly Shoreline Cleanups offered by our local East Bay Regional Parks District. During these Shoreline Cleanups, volunteers pick up hundreds of pounds of plastic and other trash by the shore that eventually ends up in our ocean and food stream. I have participated in a few of these events, and I can assure you that you will feel gratified about helping our environment.

In conclusion, I hope that we can all work together to reduce plastic consumption, eliminate littering, and take part in our local shoreline cleanups. Our Mother Earth depends on us to do the right thing.

–Ryland Truong, Castro Valley