If you grew up on the Central Coast like I did, you likely have a strong connection to the beach. Since I was young, I’ve noticed beach pollution—running around and playing all day on a hot afternoon, only to find things on the sand that shouldn’t be there. I created a layout discussing some of the risks. Below is a list of some of the takeaways to convince others as to how and why beach pollution in our area and around the world is a problem.
Beach pollution has been an ongoing issue since the 1960s. When beaches are polluted it affects the environment, animals, our experience at the beach, and the food we eat!
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that beach pollution also poses significant risks to human health. Contaminated water can lead to a range of health issues, including gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, and respiratory problems. When people swim in polluted waters or consume contaminated seafood, they expose themselves to harmful pathogens and toxins.
Consuming polluted food can lead to long-term health problems. Likewise, polluted water has made billions of people sick worldwide.
You may feel that your beach is fairly clean and there is not much trash, but according to the Ocean Literacy Portal there are thousands and thousands of micro plastic particles floating in the ocean.
According to theUnited states Environmental Agency, The natural environment suffers immensely from beach pollution, which disrupts ecosystems and diminishes the health of coastal habitats. Polluted beaches can lead to the degradation of critical habitats such as dunes, marshes, and coral reefs. These ecosystems provide essential services, including coastal protection, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. This not only impacts fish populations but also affects the livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing and tourism.
As sugested in the National Library of Medicine as pollution levels rise, community members may experience a sense of loss and frustration over the degradation of their local environment. This also affects the probability of people wanting to visit the area.
Beach pollution has been an ongoing issue and the best thing for people to do is to get involved with the community. You should always get involved with beach cleanups, minimize your use of trash, and spread the word to your community and educate people.
