When we talk about the oceans, one of the first images that comes to mind is the majesty of those blue masses and coral reefs that are home to extraordinary biodiversity. In fact, did you know that the oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface? Their importance is crucial to the survival of planetary biota, including ourselves as a species.   
The ocean is the source of life and the great regulator of our planet's climate / Photo: canva pro
  To commemorate World Oceans Day today we bring to the table some important facts about pollution in the oceans and what we can do to reverse it. (source: conservation.org)

7 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

The ocean is the source and engine of all life on this planet, and it's no secret to anyone that it's under threat. The big part of the problem: pollution.

1- OIL SPILLS AREN'T THE (BIGGEST) PROBLEM

The headline-grabbing oil spills account for only 12% of the oil in our oceans. Three times as much oil is carried into the sea through spills from our roads, rivers and drains.

2- MORE PLASTIC THAN FISH

Eight million metric tons is the amount of plastic we dump into the oceans each year. Equivalent to almost 57,000 blue whales, every year. By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean.

3- 5 ISLANDS OF GARBAGE

There is so much garbage in the sea that debris has formed giant garbage patches. There are five of them around the world, and the largest - the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - includes approximately 1.8 trillion pieces of trash and covers an area twice the size of Texas.

4- PLASTIC POSES A DOUBLE HAZARD

Ocean trash can break down into smaller pieces, known as microplastic, from exposure to the sun and wave action, and then find its way into the food chain. When it finally degrades (which takes 400 years for most plastics), the process releases chemicals that further pollute the sea.

5- POLLUTION IS FASHIONABLE (LITERALLY).

Every time you use your washing machine, more than 700,000 synthetic microfibers are washed into waterways. Unlike natural materials such as cotton or wool, these plasticized fibers do not decompose. One study showed that synthetic microfibers make up to 85% of all beach litter.

6- MOST OF THE OCEAN GARBAGE IS FOUND ON THE SEABED

As unpleasant as ocean pollution is, what we can't see may be worse: 70% of ocean trash sinks to the seabed, which means we are unlikely to be able to clean it up.

7- THE NUMBER OF DEOXYGENATED ZONES IS GROWING

In 2004, scientists counted 146 hypoxic zones (areas with an oxygen concentration so low that animal life suffocates and dies) in the world's oceans. In 2008, that number rose to 405. In 2017, in the Gulf of Mexico, oceanographers detected a dead zone nearly the size of New Jersey - the largest dead zone ever measured.  
According to UN data, the oceans are responsible for absorbing about more than 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans / Photo: M-Gucci, Canva Pro
 

Great Brands, Great Actions

But not everything can be bad, right? Faced with such a negative scenario, and accompanying the demands of customers who demand commitment from companies, several brands took up this cause to clean up the waters and raise awareness about the care that this resource needs. Because plastic in our oceans is definitely a problem. Innovation is the solution: Ikea and its collection made with plastics collected from the sea. MUSSELBLOMMA is the name of the new collection of tablecloths, cushion covers and a bag. The raw material for the products is plastic waste collected by some 1,500 fishermen in the Mediterranean Sea. It is created in collaboration with Seaqual. Slippers made from plastic collected from the oceans. Although it may not seem like it, the Adidas Parley shoes are made of plastic. In fact, not just any plastic, but plastic collected from the oceans. After collecting them, they are crushed, transformed into pellets and a very resistant thread is made that ends up being dyed to create sneakers, pants, jackets... Adidas has also created a group in the Runtastic application, Run for the Oceans, and for every kilometer run, they have committed to donate €1 to the fight against plastic in the oceans up to a limit of one million euros.  
"Protecting the oceans and their communities is our top priority. Our mission goes beyond sport." - Adidas / Photo: Scopio, canva pro
  Sustainable surfboard. An NGO in Chile has come up with a way to turn plastic waste collected from beaches into the world's first surfboards made entirely from recycled plastic. Here you can learn more about the project. Corona gives away beer in exchange for cleaning the oceans of plastic. Grupo Modelo's beer brand has been acting in favor of the environment and the protection of the oceans. Corona has been participating in or organizing programs in favor of the environment for the last five years and close to 11,500 volunteers called by the beer brand have helped clean more than 87 beaches in Mexico, collecting more than 132 tons of garbage. Hyundai has partnered with the ocean conservation organization Healthy Seas to combat ocean pollution, nurture marine ecosystems and support a circular economy.  Recovered fishing nets and other nylon waste can be turned into ECONYL®, a regenerated nylon yarn that can in turn be used to make new products. Samsung communicated its goals for this year: to replace plastic packaging with sustainable materials. Thus, the support for phones and tablets will be made of pulp, and the bags for accessories will be made of environmentally friendly materials. Even the plastic bags used to protect the surface of household appliances (TV, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines) will be replaced by bags containing recycled materials and bioplastics.  
The need to take care of the oceans and seas is key for the well-being of future generations / Photo: Victor Freitas, canva pro
 

And each one of us... what can we do?

Small individual or family actions taken from homes also contribute to reduce sea pollution. Let's start today! Here are some recommendations:  Buy in bulk: There are other alternatives to buy without using plastic. Yes, you can! Always carry your own bags: When this is not possible, reuse the ones provided to you as much as possible. Change plastics for more respectful products: Cotton and bamboo are the basis for making some of the items such as shopping bags, snack bags, toothbrushes or straws, which will help you in your daily life and protect the planet. Check your hygiene and household cleaning containers: Greenpeace reminds us that we can find microbeads, tiny plastic pellets, in everyday items such as detergents or toothpaste. Check the labels before buying them, opt for those that are natural. Another option is to make them with your own hands. Are you up for it? You can learn how to make homemade argan soap or natural cosmetics. Eliminate single-use plastics: such as crockery, glasses or bottles. Have you noticed the amount of food that includes plastic cutlery? If you are a company, make a commitment as well. Do not include this type of products among your services or do not offer them to your staff.   
Every year, hundreds of thousands of tons of waste are washed up on the shores of the paradisiacal Caribbean islands. Together we can avoid an ecological disaster / Photo: Magnus Larsson, canva pro
  Research companies with innovative products: For example, Avani Eco creates bags from cassava starch; Biotrem, edible tableware and cutlery from wheat bran; and Lifepack, germinable containers. All of them are biodegradable.  "For a better world, everything in its container": Don't forget to eliminate other bad practices, such as using the toilet as a waste garbage can and throwing everything away. Remember that, for example, cotton swabs and wet wipes should go in the gray garbage can. Also, do not pour used oil down the kitchen drain, take it to the nearest clean point. Don't abuse the sea: Avoid buying items such as coral jewelry, accessories made from shells or hawksbill turtles and shark products.  

Fortunately it is not too late to clean up our act. Share the truth about ocean pollution and help make a difference. For the sake of our oceans, our planet and ourselves, I've already started, have you?

  By: Nathaly Bosch, social communicator by profession and curious traveler by choice. Spanish editor for Daytours4u.