Isolated Pacific Island Covered in Washed-Up Plastic

The beauty and ecosystems of an uninhabited South Pacific island are being threatened by the tens of millions of discarded plastic pieces that have appeared on its shores.

This plastic has begun to interfere with the health, safety, and overall survival of the island’s creatures. Currently, nowhere else in the world has as much plastic build-up in one place as this island does. Although researchers only explore the island a handful of times every century, the litter comes from highly populated areas and travels nearly 5000km through the ocean’s waters before ending up on the island.

Unfortunately, the poor condition of the heritage island isn’t the only plastic-related problem. Shockingly, the island’s plastic only represents about two seconds’ worth of the plastic produced worldwide each year. It’s clear that this plastic isn’t all being recycled, either; in fact, much of it is either littered or misplaces later on in the recycling process.

This island is an example of what is yet to come if we continue to manufacture plastic at today’s rate. If we want to preserve wildlife and live in a healthier world, we need to make a change.