How Much Plastic is in the Ocean?

Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate What can you do to make the oceans plastic-free? (HINT: Hitting the subscribe button uses zero plastic) ↓↓↓Check the resources below ↓↓↓ Ocean plastic pollution is a massive environmental problem. Millions of tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year, even plastic that goes in the trash can often ends up in the sea! This week we learn about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and look at the dangers ocean plastic poses to ocean animals. Plus, a few tips for you to reduce your own plastic use! Plastic Oceans Foundation: http://www.plasticoceans.org/ United Nations “Clean Seas” program: http://www.cleanseas.org/ The 5 Gyres Institute: https://www.5gyres.org/ Lonely Whale Foundation: https://www.lonelywhale.org/ Take this quiz to learn about your plastic impact: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/science/bottled-water-or-tap.html 10 ways to reduce plastic pollution: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/10-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution The no plastic straw pledge: http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/no-straw-please/ Ocean plastic pollution resources from Monterey Bay Aquarium: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/conservation-and-science/our-priorities/ocean-plastic-pollution What will it take to get plastic out of the ocean? https://ensia.com/features/what-will-it-take-to-get-plastics-out-of-the-ocean/ Resources for teachers: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/education/teacher-professional-development/ocean-plastic-pollution-summit ----------- REFERENCES: Cózar, Andrés, et al. "Plastic debris in the open ocean." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 111.28 (2014): 10239-10244. Jamieson, Alan J., et al. "Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in the deepest ocean fauna." Nature Ecology & Evolution 1 (2017): 0051. Jambeck, Jenna R., et al. "Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean." Science 347.6223 (2015): 768-771. “Moby-Duck” by Donovan Hohn (Harper’s Magazine) http://harpers.org/archive/2007/01/moby-duck/?single=1 ----------- FOLLOW US: Merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter: @okaytobesmart @DrJoeHanson Tumblr: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Instagram: @DrJoeHanson Snapchat: YoDrJoe ----------- It’s Okay To Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D. Director: Joe Nicolosi Writer: Joe Hanson Producer/editor/animator: Andrew Matthews Producer: Stephanie Noone and Amanda Fox Produced by PBS Digital Studios Music via APM Stock images from Shutterstock http://www.shutterstock.com