Plastic Pollution: Over 400 million tons of plastic are produced yearly, with 11 million tons entering oceans annually—equivalent to a garbage truck every minute. Single-use plastics dominate, persisting for centuries and fragmenting into microplastics that infiltrate every ecosystem, from Arctic ice to human blood. Marine animals ingest or entangle in debris, suffering injury or death. Microplastics absorb toxins and enter the food chain, posing unknown health risks. While recycling is promoted, less than 10% of all plastic ever made has been recycled. Solutions include global treaties (e.g., UN’s 2024 Plastic Pollution Treaty), circular economy models, biodegradable alternatives, and corporate responsibility. Public awareness is growing, but systemic reduction at the source—not just cleanup—is vital to stem this pervasive, invisible crisis.
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