Plastic pollution is one of the most concerning environmental issues in many countries, like Ecuador, which has planned to clean up the plastic from the Galapagos Islands and they are succeeding. Galapagos Guardians is a project dedicated to preserving the seas of a unique ecosystem. Many may know Galapagos for the giant tortoises, for being a natural heritage of humanity, or because they inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution.
However, the reality is different. The islands located on the equator receive around 14 million tons of plastic waste that end up in the ocean every year. In fact, 80% of this waste comes through rivers, which are severely affected by this issue.
In response to this situation, the environmental organization Galapagos Guardians developed Azure and Cyan, two machines that intercept plastics, separate and classify them with the help of cameras with artificial intelligence. This allows them to generate data that helps make decisions with those responsible to find a solution to this problem and prevent plastic pollution from continuing to increase.
So far, the organization has intercepted more than 84 pounds of plastic and will continue working to find a solution to one of the most concerning environmental issues of today.
Plastic pollution in the Galapagos Islands. Photo: Instagram/ @galapagosguardians_
What is plastic pollution and how to stop it?
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, especially in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It arises from the massive use of single-use plastics, poor waste management, and inadequate disposal of plastic products. Since plastic is a highly durable and non-biodegradable material, it can persist in the environment for centuries.
Contaminating plastics include:
- Macroparticles: large objects such as bags, bottles, and fishing nets.
- Microplastics: particles less than 5 mm, originating from the breakdown of larger plastics or intentionally added (as in cosmetics or detergents).
- Nanoplastics: even smaller particles, resulting from the fragmentation of microplastics.
This material not only pollutes the environment, including rivers and oceans, but also humans, as microplastics enter the body through air, water, and even food.
The Galapagos Islands affected by plastic waste. Photo: Instagram/ @galapagosguardians_
Solutions to mitigate plastic pollution
- Reducing the use of plastics: Promote sustainable alternatives such as reusable bags, biodegradable packaging, and plastic-free products.
- Recycling and circular economy: Improve recycling rates and encourage systems where plastics are reused rather than disposed of.
- Education and awareness: Raise awareness among communities about the impacts of plastic and how to manage it correctly.
- Legislation and public policies: Implement prohibitions and regulations on single-use plastics and promote incentives for cleaner technologies.
- Cleaning and restoration: Organize beach, river, and urban area clean-up campaigns, as well as restore affected ecosystems.
Plastic pollution is a global threat that affects ecosystems, human health, and the climate. Addressing it requires joint efforts between governments, businesses, and citizens to adopt sustainable practices and reduce our dependence on this material.
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