Our Oceans are Dying … and It’s Your Fault!

The United States alone excretes between 40,000 and 110,000 metric tons of plastic waste into the ocean each year. For the record, if you think you do not contribute to these numbers, allow me to break the bad news: you do!

Ocean Pollution is caused by the combination of chemicals and trash coming from land sources being washed or blown into the ocean. The vast majority of this waste is caused by humans, either not caring for their belongings, littering, or using products that are harmful to the earth. 

With our proximity to the ocean here in Boca Raton, ocean pollution is an ongoing issue that has yet to be resolved. I cannot even count the number of times I have been walking on the beach and seen pieces of trash, plastic bags, food wrappers, and miscellaneous articles of garbage that I cannot even figure out what they are because they have been withering away for so long. 

While ocean pollution may not directly affect us in our lifetime, it is bound to negatively impact future generations. It is up to us to make sure the future is in a place where they can flourish and fix the mistakes we have made. 

Let’s start with the easy things: do not bring any plastic bottles to the beach, we have reusable bottles for a reason! Better yet, stop buying plastic water bottles altogether, as they are a main contributor to the pollution that is slowly killing our oceans day by day. It really is a simple task to go to the store and buy a reusable water bottle, for it is the smallest amendments that will make the largest difference.  

Contrary to popular belief, plastic straws contribute to less than one percent of the ocean pollution that occurs in our world on a daily basis. Using reusable straws can make a difference, but it is not a life-and-death situation. Instead, we should focus more on what we buy at the grocery store, avoiding unnecessary plastic at all costs, and making sure we are only putting our best foot forward when it comes to making sure our world is taken care of.

We only have one earth, with no second chances, and no room for error. I am guilty of making mistakes myself, but as a society, we need to do better at caring for the world that has been given to us. 

While the topic of ocean pollution is gaining more traction, it is still necessary for it to be brought to people’s attention. Even if it may seem like there is no hope for the protection and safety of the oceans, American society has all the tools to stop the pollution. In order to do this, however, everyone must do their part in saving the ocean.

I have made a cognitive effort to reduce the amount of pollution I create, but at times I feel it is null and void as I ruminate that no one else is doing their part. I have to remind myself that I owe it all to Mother Earth, and all her creations are necessary parts to my happiness. Without them, we would be nothing. 

So pick up your trash, stop using plastic unnecessarily, and when you go to the beach, remember the gifts that have been bestowed upon you.

Strike Out,

Matty Wolfe

Boca Raton

Matty Wolfe is the Senior Editor for Strike Magazine Boca. This avid reality television consumer loves to escape the world as often as he can. You’ll find him outside often, working on his tan and playing mermaids in the ocean. He’s also a future Survivor contestant, even if the producers do not know it yet. You can reach him by email at mattheww0507@gmail.com