an endless expanse
of blue-green water
stretching as far
as the eye can see
but look closer and
you'll know the truth
here
plastic bottles bob up and down in the waves
tangled with fishing nets and discarded ropes
here
plastic bags twist and turn
caught in the currents
here
styrofoam containers
break apart releasing
tiny particles of micro-plastic
that will never biodegrade
this is a place
where ocean inhabitants
die torturous deaths
sea-turtles whales dolphins
mistake plastic for food
ingesting it and choking to death
birds and fish become entangled in
plastic bags and fishing nets unable to escape
the garbage patch
is a tragedy
indisputable evidence of
our carelessness
and a warning that we
must change our ways
Author’s Note
Human-generated trash is constantly entering the ocean, resulting in the formation of five enormous garbage patches, located where the world's ocean currents converge, changing shape along with the waves. The largest garbage patch, known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or the North Pacific Garbage Patch, was previously believed to be devoid of life due to the harmful nature of plastics and fishing gear. However, recent studies have revealed the existence of an entire ecosystem thriving within this accumulation of trash. Read more.
The Ocean Cleanup organization has deployed its largest system to date to clean the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
This video explains that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch covers a huge area, but is no floating island of trash.
I do not endorse any of the organizations to which I provide links. Links are for informational use only.
Upcoming…
A flash fiction piece, second of three endings to The Beginning:
The Final Frontier, 18 November 2023
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So disturbing but people need to know.