‘More masks than jellyfish’: coronavirus waste ends up in ocean
Conservationists have warned that the coronavirus pandemic could spark ( ) a surge ( ) in ocean pollution — adding to a glut ( ) of plastic waste that already threatens marine ( ) life — after finding disposable ( ) masks floating like jellyfish ( ) and waterlogged ( ) latex gloves scattered ( ) across seabeds.
The French non-profit Operation Mer Propre (Operation Clean Sea), whose activities include regularly picking up litter ( ) along the Cote d’Azur, began sounding the alarm late last month.
Divers had found what Joffrey Peltier of the organization described as “COVID waste” — dozens of gloves, masks and bottles of hand sanitizer beneath the waves of the Mediterranean, mixed in with the usual litter of disposable cups and aluminum ( ) cans.
The quantities of masks and gloves found were far from ( ) enormous ( ), said Peltier. But he worried that the discovery hinted at a new kind of pollution, one set to become ubiquitous ( ) after millions around the world turned to single-use ( ) plastics to combat the coronavirus. “It’s the promise of pollution to come if nothing is done,” said Peltier.
In France alone, authorities ( ) have ordered two billion disposable masks, said Laurent Lombard of Operation Mer Propre. “Knowing that soon we’ll run the risk of having more masks than jellyfish in the Mediterranean,” he wrote on social media alongside ( ) video of a dive showing algae-entangled ( ) masks and soiled gloves in the sea near Antibes.
The group hopes the images will prompt ( ) people to embrace reusable masks and swap ( ) latex gloves for more frequent handwashing. “With all the alternatives ( ), plastic isn’t the solution to protect us from COVID-19. That’s the message,” said Peltier.
In the years leading up to the pandemic, environmentalists had warned of the threat posed to oceans and marine life by skyrocketing ( ) plastic pollution. As much as 13 million metric tonnes of plastic goes into oceans each year, according to a 2018 estimate ( ) by UN Environment. The Mediterranean sees 570,000 metric tonnes of plastic flow into it annually — an amount the WWF has described as equal to dumping 33,800 plastic bottles every minute into the sea.
These figures risk growing substantially ( ) as countries around the world confront ( ) the coronavirus pandemic. Masks often contain plastics such as polypropylene, said Eric Pauget, a French politician whose region includes the Cote d’Azur .
“With a lifespan ( ) of 450 years, these masks are an ecological timebomb given their lasting environmental consequences for our planet,” he wrote last month in a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, calling on him to do more to address ( ) the environmental consequences of disposable masks.
Earlier this year the Hong Kong-based OceansAsia began voicing similar concerns, after a survey of marine debris ( ) in the city’s uninhabited ( ) Soko Islands turned up dozens of disposable masks.
“On a beach about 100m long, we found about 70,” said Gary Stokes of OceansAsia. One week later, another 30 masks had washed up ( ). “And that’s on an uninhabited island in the middle of nowhere.”
Curious to see how far the masks had travelled, he began checking other nearby beaches. “We’re finding them everywhere,” he said. “Ever since society started wearing masks, the cause and effects are being seen on the beaches.”
While some of the debris could be attributed to ( ) carelessness, he speculated ( ) that the lightweight masks were at times ( ) also being carried from land, boats and landfills by the wind.
“It’s just another item of marine debris,” he said, likening ( ) the masks to plastic bags or straws that often wash up on the city’s more remote shorelines. “It’s no better, no worse, just another item we’re leaving as a legacy ( ) to the next generation.”
Still, given the likelihood that porpoises ( ) and dolphins in the region could mistake a mask for food, he was bracing ( ) himself for a grim ( ) find.
“We’re constantly getting them washing up dead and we’re just waiting for a necropsy ( ) when we find a mask inside,” he said. “I think it’s inevitable ( ).”
海裡口罩比水母多:疫情垃圾衝擊環境
自然環境保育人士警告說,冠狀病毒大流行可能造成海洋污染激增──在海底發現拋棄式口罩像水母般飄浮,以及充滿水的乳膠手套四處散布,讓已對海洋生物造成威脅的巨量塑膠垃圾問題雪上加霜。
定期在蔚藍海岸清理垃圾的法國非營利性組織「海洋清潔行動」,上月底開始發出以上警示。
該組織的Joffrey Peltier所說的「COVID垃圾」,被潛水員發現──地中海波濤之下,幾十個手套、口罩及乾洗手瓶罐,夾雜在常見的拋棄式杯子和鋁罐等垃圾之中。
Peltier表示,所發現的口罩及手套數量遠稱不上龐大。但他擔心,這個發現意味一種新的污染──在全球數百萬人開始使用拋棄式塑膠製品來對抗冠狀病毒後,這種污染將無所不在。Peltier說:「如果不採取任何措施,這鐵定將帶來污染」。
「海洋清潔行動」的Laurent Lombard表示,光是在法國,政府就訂購了二十億個拋棄式口罩。他在社群媒體貼出一段潛水拍攝的影片,顯示安提貝附近海域中被藻類纏繞的口罩及髒污的手套,並寫道:「我知道不久之後,我們可能面臨地中海裡的口罩比水母多的險境」。
該組織希望這些影像能促使人們改用可重複使用的口罩,並以更頻繁洗手來代替乳膠手套的使用。「塑膠並不是避免感染武漢肺炎的解決方案,我們還有很多別的選擇。這就是所傳達出的訊息」,Peltier說。
在疫情爆發前的幾年,環保人士便已提出警告,指出塑膠污染的暴增已對海洋及海洋生物造成威脅。根據聯合國環境署二○一八年的估計,每年有多達一千三百萬噸的塑膠進入海洋。地中海地區每年流入的塑膠量為五十七萬噸──相當於世界自然基金會所描述的,每分鐘向海裡傾倒三萬三千八百個塑膠瓶。
隨著世界各國面臨冠狀病毒大流行,這些數字有可能大大增加。選區包括蔚藍海岸的法國政界人士Eric Pauget表示,口罩通常含有塑膠,例如聚丙烯。
Pauget在上月致法國總統Emmanuel Macron的信中寫道:「這些口罩的壽命為四百五十年,是生態炸彈,因其對地球環境會造成長久的影響」。他呼籲Macron採取更多作為,來處理拋棄式口罩的環境衝擊。
今年稍早,總部位於香港的「海洋亞洲」對無人居的香港索罟群島進行海洋垃圾調查,在發現了幾十個拋棄式口罩後,開始表達像這樣的擔憂。
「海洋亞洲」的Gary Stokes說:「在長約一百公尺的海灘上,我們發現了大約七十個口罩」。一週後,又發現三十個口罩被沖刷上岸。「而且那是茫茫大海中的一個無人島」。
他很好奇口罩究竟漂流了多遠,便開始檢視附近其他海灘。他說:「我們到處都可以找到口罩」。「自從大家開始戴口罩以來,這因果關係在海灘上就可以看得到」。
雖然一些垃圾可能是因為亂丟而造成的,但因口罩的重量很輕,他推測它們有時也會被風從陸地、船上及垃圾掩埋場中吹過來。
他說:「這只是另一種海洋垃圾」,口罩跟塑膠袋或吸管一樣,常在香港較偏僻的海岸被沖刷上來。「口罩也沒什麼不同,只不過是另一樣我們遺留給下一代的東西」。
儘管如此,因附近的小鯨與海豚可能會誤將口罩當做食物,他已有心理準備會發現殘酷的事。
他說:「我們不斷讓牠們死亡,然後被沖上岸,我們遲早會在解剖時,發現牠們體內有口罩」。 「我認為這一定會發生」。
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「what is ocean pollution」的推薦目錄:
what is ocean pollution 在 邱永林 Facebook 的最讚貼文
(請用力分享)新冠状病毒致人类的的信⋯⋯西班牙女士薇薇安的醒世奇文
地球向你们耳语你们听不到,地球向你们倾诉你们不去听,大地尖叫起来,你们却把祂关掉了,
所以我诞生了...
我的来临不是要惩罚你们,而是来唤醒你们。
大地大声呼救... 大规模的洪水你们不听,燃烧的森林你们不听,强劲飓风你们不听,可怕的龙卷风你们也不听。
当,海洋动物因水中的污染物而死亡,冰川以惊人的速度融化,严重的干旱,你们还是不听地球的话。
不停的战争,不停的贪婪,你们根本不在乎地球的承受能力。不管每天有多少仇恨和杀戮,你们只是继续自己的生活。
获得最新的iPhone比聆听地球更重要,所以我来了。
我让全世界停止在它的轨道上。我让你们终于听了,我让你们躲进了家,我让你们不再去想物质的东西了。
现在你们就像地球一样...只担心自己的生存。
请问感觉如何?
我让你们发烧…因为地球在燃烧;
我让你们呼吸困难…因为污染充满天空;
我让你们虚弱…因为地球一天天在衰弱。
我夺走了你们舒适…你们的外出…还有许多让地球痛苦的东西。
我让全世界停止…现在…
我夺走了你们舒适…你们的外出…还有许多让地球痛苦的东西。
空气质量变好了…天空是清澈的蓝色,因为工厂没有向地球排放污染。
威尼斯的水是干净的,因为贡多拉船没有被使用。
你们必须花时间反思你生命中重要的东西。
重申…我不是来惩罚你们的,我是来唤醒你们的。
等这一切结束,我就走了…请记住这些时刻。
倾听大地的声音,倾听你们的灵魂。
停止污染地球,停止相互争斗。
不要再关心物质上的东西,开始爱你们的邻居吧 。
开始爱护地球和祂上面所有的生命,开始相信造物主。
因为下一次,我可能会更强大……
签名 新冠状病毒🦠
Wonderful write up by Vivienne in Spain
The earth whispered but you did not hear.
The earth spoke but you did not listen
The earth screamed but you turned her off.
And so I was born...
I was not born to punish you..
I was born to awaken you..
The earth cried out for help...
Massive flooding. But you didn't listen.
Burning fires. But you didn't listen.
Strong hurricanes. But you didn't listen.
Terrifying Tornadoes. But you didn't listen.
You still don't listen to the earth when.
Ocean animals are dying due to pollutants in the waters.
Glaciers melting at an alarming rate.
Severe drought.
You didn't listen to how much negativity the earth is receiving.
Non-stop wars.
Non-stop greed.
You just kept going on with your life..
No matter how much hate there was..
No matter how many killings daily..
It was more important to get that latest iPhone than worry about what the earth was trying to tell you..
But now I am here.
And I've made the world stop in its tracks.
I've made YOU finally listen.
I've made you take refuge.
I've made you stop thinking about materialistic things..
Now you are like the earth...
You are only worried about YOUR survival.
How does that feel?
I give you fever.. as the fires burn on earth.
I give you respiratory issues.. as pollution filled the earth’s air.
I give you weakness as the earth weakens every day.
I took away your comforts..
Your outings.
The things you would use to forget about the planet and its pain.
And I made the world stop...
And now...
Earth has better air quality.. Skys are clear blue because factories are not spewing pollution unto the earth's air.
The water in Venice is clean and Because the gondola boats that pollute the water are not being used.
YOU are having to take time to reflect on what is important in your life.
Again I am not here to punish you.. I am here to Awaken you...
When all this is over and I am gone...
Please remember these moments..
Listen to the earth.
Listen to your soul.
Stop Polluting the earth.
Stop Fighting amongst each other.
Stop caring about materialistic things.
And start loving your neighbors.
Start caring about the earth and all its creatures.
Start believing in a Creator.
Because next time I may come back even stronger....
Signed,
Corona virus
what is ocean pollution 在 XiaoMa 小马 Facebook 的最佳貼文
网络上看到西班牙🇪🇸女士薇薇安的文章,分享给你看看,你认同吗?
🔸🔸文章开始,English version are available 🔸🔸
地球向你们耳语你们听不到,地球向你们倾诉你们不去听,大地尖叫起来,你们却把祂关掉了,
所以我诞生了...
我的来临不是要惩罚你们,而是来唤醒你们。
大地大声呼救... 大规模的洪水你们不听,燃烧的森林你们不听,强劲飓风你们不听,可怕的龙卷风你们也不听。
当,海洋动物因水中的污染物而死亡,冰川以惊人的速度融化,严重的干旱,你们还是不听地球的话。
不停的战争,不停的贪婪,你们根本不在乎地球的承受能力。不管每天有多少仇恨和杀戮,你们隻是继续自己的生活。
获得最新的iPhone感觉比聆听地球更重要,所以我来了。
我让全世界停止在它的轨道上。我让你们终于听了,我让你们躲进了家,我让你们不再去想物质的东西了。
现在你们就像地球一样...只担心自己的生存。
请问感觉如何?
我让你们发烧…因为地球在燃烧﹔
我让你们呼吸困难…因为污染充满天空﹔
我让你们软弱…因为地球一天天在衰弱。
我夺走了你们舒适…你们的外出…还有许多让地球痛苦的东西。
我让全世界停止…现在…
空气质量变好了…天空是清澈的蓝色,因为工厂没有向地球排放污染。
威尼斯的水是干淨的,因为贡多拉船没有被使用。
你们必须花时间反思你生命中重要的东西。
重申…我不是来惩罚你们的,我是来唤醒你们的。
等这一切结束,我就走了…请记住这些时刻。
倾听大地的声音,倾听你们的灵魂。
停止污染地球,停止相互争斗。
不要再关心物质上的东西,开始爱你们的邻居吧 。
开始关心地球和所有的生命,开始相信造物主。
因为下一次,我可能会更强大…
新冠状病毒 上
🔽🔽🔽🔽
The earth whispered but you did not hear.
The earth spoke but you did not listen
The earth screamed but you turned her off.
And so I was born...
I was not born to punish you..
I was born to awaken you..
The earth cried out for help...
Massive flooding. But you didn't listen.
Burning fires. But you didn't listen.
Strong hurricanes. But you didn't listen.
Terrifying Tornadoes. But you didn't listen.
You still don't listen to the earth when.
Ocean animals are dying due to pollutants in the waters.
Glaciers melting at an alarming rate.
Severe drought.
You didn't listen to how much negativity the earth is receiving.
Non-stop wars.
Non-stop greed.
You just kept going on with your life..
No matter how much hate there was..
No matter how many killings daily..
It was more important to get that latest iPhone than worry about what the earth was trying to tell you..
But now I am here.
And I've made the world stop in its tracks.
I've made YOU finally listen.
I've made you take refuge.
I've made you stop thinking about materialistic things..
Now you are like the earth...
You are only worried about YOUR survival.
How does that feel?
I give you fever.. as the fires burn on earth.
I give you respiratory issues.. as pollution filled the earth’s air.
I give you weakness as the earth weakens every day.
I took away your comforts..
Your outings.
The things you would use to forget about the planet and its pain.
And I made the world stop...
And now...
Earth has better air quality.. Skys are clear blue because factories are not spewing pollution unto the earth's air.
The water in Venice is clean and Because the gondola boats that pollute the water are not being used.
YOU are having to take time to reflect on what is important in your life.
Again I am not here to punish you.. I am here to Awaken you...
When all this is over and I am gone...
Please remember these moments..
Listen to the earth.
Listen to your soul.
Stop Polluting the earth.
Stop Fighting amongst each other.
Stop caring about materialistic things.
And start loving your neighbors.
Start caring about the earth and all its creatures.
Start believing in a Creator.
Because next time I may come back even stronger....
Signed,
Coronavirus..
what is ocean pollution 在 コバにゃんチャンネル Youtube 的最佳貼文
what is ocean pollution 在 大象中醫 Youtube 的精選貼文
what is ocean pollution 在 大象中醫 Youtube 的最讚貼文
what is ocean pollution 在 Ocean pollution and marine debris 的相關結果
Marine debris is a persistent pollution problem that reaches throughout the entire ocean and Great Lakes. Our ocean and waterways are polluted ... ... <看更多>
what is ocean pollution 在 Ocean pollution - OECD 的相關結果
The oceans are under increasing stress from multiple urban and rural sources of pollution, notably solid and liquid wastes from cities, fertiliser and ... ... <看更多>
what is ocean pollution 在 Marine Pollution - National Geographic Education 的相關結果
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. ... <看更多>