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Questions and Answers
How much plastic trash enters the sea from land every year?
8 million metric tons
What is the ultimate goal of the New Plastics Economy?
To design an economy where plastic packaging never becomes waste.
What are some forms of marine pollution?
Industrial, agricultural, and urban waste
What is the effect of nutrient pollution on marine ecosystems?
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What is critical for water quality?
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What is the benefit of improving soil health for farmers?
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What is challenging about changing agricultural systems?
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What happens to plastic trash in the ocean?
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How many dead zones are there across the globe?
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What is key to improving soil health?
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Study Notes
Plastic Pollution in the Ocean
- 8 million metric tons of plastic trash enter the sea from land every year, equivalent to five plastic bags filled with trash for every foot of coastline in the world.
- Plastic trash flows into circulation, dispersing almost everywhere, but concentrating in huge swathes in the midst of global currents.
- Plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, is ingested by species across the marine world, and sinks to the bottom of the sea.
The New Plastics Economy
- The current linear system of "take, make, dispose" needs to be replaced with a system where plastic can be recovered and fed back into the economy as a valuable material.
- The ultimate goal is to design an economy where plastic packaging never becomes waste.
Marine Pollution
- Marine pollution comes in many forms, including industrial, agricultural, and urban waste.
- These pollutants sweep into the sea, fueling explosions of algae that rob marine ecosystems of oxygen, leading to dead zones.
- There are already over 400 dead zones across the globe.
Nutrient Pollution and Agriculture
- Nutrient pollution can be managed through changes in major contributing systems like agriculture.
- Soil health is critical for water quality, and organic matter is key to improving soil health.
- The more organic matter in the soil, the better it can hold on to nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, preventing them from leaching out of the soil.
- Improving soil health is good for farmers and water quality.
Challenges of Changing Agricultural Systems
- Changing agricultural systems is tricky and takes a lot of work.
- Farmers need to learn different processes and practices to effectively manage soil health and prevent nutrient pollution.
Plastic Pollution in the Ocean
- 8 million metric tons of plastic trash enter the ocean from land yearly, equivalent to 5 plastic bags of trash per foot of coastline globally.
- Plastic trash disperses globally, concentrating in huge areas within global currents.
- Plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, gets ingested by marine species, and sinks to the ocean floor.
The New Plastics Economy
- The linear "take, make, dispose" system must be replaced with a circular economy where plastic is recovered and reused as a valuable material.
- The goal is to design an economy where plastic packaging never becomes waste.
Marine Pollution
- Marine pollution sources include industrial, agricultural, and urban waste.
- These pollutants create algae explosions that deplete oxygen from marine ecosystems, leading to dead zones.
- There are over 400 dead zones worldwide.
Nutrient Pollution and Agriculture
- Nutrient pollution can be managed by improving agricultural practices.
- Soil health is crucial for water quality, and organic matter is key to improving soil health.
- Soil with high organic matter content can retain nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, preventing their leaching into waterways.
- Improving soil health benefits both farmers and water quality.
Challenges of Changing Agricultural Systems
- Altering agricultural systems is complex and labor-intensive.
- Farmers need to learn new processes and practices to manage soil health and prevent nutrient pollution effectively.
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Description
This quiz explores the alarming effects of plastic pollution on the world's oceans, including the amount of trash entering the sea, its dispersal, and impact on marine life.
