"ScrAPES #2- Plastic in the Ocean Podcast"

Podcast- Living on Earth Podcast, June 5, 2015 episode, most of the episode  

Topic: Plastic waste in the Ocean 

Summary:
     The podcast gave a general information about plastic waste that was found in the ocean. 80% of plastic in the ocean comes from land. The pro and con with producing plastic are the short term use and the long term trash. Plastic only breaks down and do not decompose. The Podcast also talked about how Microplastics are made out of plastic and can be found in toothpaste and many other items that are found in our daily lives. Microplastics are described to be harmful in our environment and our health. A student with a Masters Degree spoke about Microplastics that are found in the ocean are being consumed by small fish, and later being consumed by humans, giving us health problems. A statistics study was also done; 20% of plastic waste came from sea based human activity, 80% from land human activity, and 50% came from rural communities. The U.S. is in the top 20 for having the most plastic waste due to: 1.) lots of people living near the coast 2.) a lot of waste is produced 3.) waste are made from plastic.  
     I found the podcast interesting because I got to learn more about the harmful effects done to our environment due to plastic waste. It made me think about my Crest brand toothpaste at home, filled with Microplastics inside; it made me want to throw it away. I also found interesting, 80% of the plastic waste came from land. 
     The podcast is important to environmental science because it helped to inform us about the harm  done to our environment. It relates back to understanding and taking better care of our environment. Our next step is to see alternatives that could be used as a replacement for plastic that would not be harmful to our environment. We also need to teach others about keeping our environment clean and throwing away our trash properly.