There’s nothing like standing on the shore and listening to waves crashing. The sound pours over you, and you’re surrounded by an instant sense of calm.

But what if those waves are trying tell us something that we can’t understand?

Thanks to our destructive and shameful plastic habits, the ocean is most likely calling out for help.

Every year, 8.8 million tons of plastic that make their way from land to the oceans, endangering about 700 marine species. Marine animals spend their days swimming through seas of plastic, mistaking it for food, and becoming entangled in plastic debris. And while we make efforts to recycle plastic, the sad reality is that 85 percent of the world’s plastic is not recycled, and instead, makes its way to the ocean, taking a brief pitstop in landfills.

According to a study by the World Economic Forum, if we continue at our current rate, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050. It’s no wonder the oceans are crying out for help.

But those nearly unfathomable numbers don’t come out of thin air. Every day, each one of makes the decision to use plastic items, such as plastic packaging, plastic water bottles, plastic bags, and much, much more. When we look at our daily consumption, it’s not too hard to imagine how, globally, we’re pouring millions of tons of the plastic into the oceans.

Once we recognize the impact of our consumption habits, we all have the power to change. Plastic may be convenient in the moment, but its effect is long-lasting. While we might not feel the direct results of plastic trash in our everyday lives, we must always remember what happens to plastic once we toss it in the garbage bin.

What Can YOU Do?

If we all make an effort to identify where we use plastic and actively look for alternatives, we can drastically cut down on the amount of plastic Pollution that finds its way into the oceans.

As the leading organization at the forefront of the conscious consumerism movement, One Green Planet believes that reducing everyday plastics from our lives is not about giving up anything or sacrificing convenience, but rather learning to reap the maximum benefit from the items you use every day while having the minimum impact.

Let’s #CrushPlastic! Click the graphic below for more information.

All Image Source: Surfers Against Sewage/Facebook