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104 – LESSON 4: Why is Plastic Pollution a Problem?

The Ocean Plastics Pollution Problem: An introduction to why ocean plastics are an issue including its effects on people and the planet.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the social and environmental impact caused by plastic pollution.

2. Analyze existing solutions to reduce plastic pollution.

3. Create new solutions to reduce plastic pollution.

Lesson Content

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What do you remember about plastic?

Why is plastic pollution a problem?

Learning Objectives

Activity 1

Video 1: A Plastic Ocean

A Plastic Ocean – Full Version (Optional video)

Video 2: Life Below Water

Let’s Reflect

Why is there so much plastic available to become ocean plastic pollution? 7 Items

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Topic Content

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1. Plastic production is 20 times greater than 50 years ago

2. Plastic is being produced for many uses

a. “Throwaway Lifestyle”

3. Plastic is being managed in a linear economy

4. Plastic breaks down very slowly, and when it does it becomes microplastics (from course 2)

a. Plastic Break Down Chart

5. Plastic is being mismanaged, which is allowing plastics to reach the ocean (see Lesson 3)

Let’s Reflect

What problems do ocean plastics cause? 13 Items

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Topic Content

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1. Microplastics carry toxic chemicals that bioaccumulate and enter the human food chain (Lesson 2)

a. The New Food Chain

2. Marine animals ingest and get entangled in plastics (Lesson 3)

a. Ghost Gear

b. Ingestion

c. We see the difference, turtles do not!

d. Sperm Whale

e. Video – Plastic in stomach of fish

f. Red List – Study

g. Video: MIDWAY Message From the Gyre

3. Coastal communities get contaminated by plastic

a. Children are growing up in areas full of plastic waste.

4. Plastic pollution is contaminating an important source of oxygen: phytoplankton

Activity 2a

10 Things You Can Do For Trash Free Seas

Activity 2b

READ: Microplastics in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectors (UNEP, 2019)

The following are other initiatives that promote the reduction of plastic pollution on the planet. 2 Items

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Topic Content

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1. Video: The Ocean Cleanup Interceptor – River Cleaning

2. Video: This app makes it fun to pick up litter | Jeff Kirschner

Foundations and initiatives whose purpose is to promote plastic-free oceans.

Who wants to share?

Did you meet the learning objectives of this class?

Lesson 4 Final Quiz

104 – LESSON 4: Why is Plastic Pollution a Problem?

104 – LESSON 4: Why is Plastic Pollution a Problem?

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the social and environmental impact caused by plastic pollution.

2. Analyze existing solutions to reduce plastic pollution.

3. Create new solutions to reduce plastic pollution.

Lesson Content

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