There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

Digital habits across generations

Today's grandparents are joining their grandchildren on social media, but the different generations' online habits couldn't be more different. ln the UK the over-55s are joining Facebook in increasing numbers, meaning that they will soon be the site's second bigger used group with 3.5 million users aged 55-64 and 2.9 million over-65s.

Sheila, aged 59, says, 'I joined to see what my grandchildren are doing, as my daughter posts videos and photos of them. It's a much better way to see what they're doing than waiting for letters and photos in the post. That's how we did it when I was a child, but l think l'm lucky I get to see so much more of their lives than my grandparents did.'

lronically, Sheila's grandchildren are less likely to use Facebook themselves. Children unser 17 in the UK are leaving the site - only 2.2 million uses are under 17 - but they're not going far from their smartphones. Chloe, aged 15, even sleeps with her phone. 'lt's my alarm clock so I have to,' she says. 'I look at it before I go to sleep and as soon as I wake up.'

Unlike her grandmother's generation, Chloe's age group is spending so much time on their phones at home that tbey are missing out on spending time with their friends in real life. Sheila, on the other hand, has made contact with old friends from school she hasn't heard from in forty years. 'We use Facebook to arrange to meet all over the country,' she says. ' lt's changed my social life completely.'

Teenagers might have their parents to thank for their smartphone and social media addiction as their parents were the early adopters of the smartphone.

Peter, aged 38 and father of two teenagers, reports that he used to be on his phone or laptop constantly. 'I was always connected and I felt like I was always working,' he says. 'How could I tell my kids to get off their phones if I was always in front of a screen myself?' So, in the evenings and at weekends, he takes his SIM card out of his smartphone and puts it into an old-style mobile phone that can only make calls and send text messages. 'I'm not completely cut off from the world in case of emergencies, but the important things is I'm setting a better example to my kids and spending more quality time with them. 'Is it only a matter of time until the generation above and below Peter catches up with the new trend for a less digital life?

(Adapted from: 

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/b1-

reading/digital-habits-across-generations).

Digital habits across generations

Today's grandparents are joining their grandchildren on social media, but the different generations' online habits couldn't be more different. ln the UK the over-55s are joining Facebook in increasing numbers, meaning that they will soon be the site's second bigger used group with 3.5 million users aged 55-64 and 2.9 million over-65s.

Sheila, aged 59, says, 'I joined to see what my grandchildren are doing, as my daughter posts videos and photos of them. It's a much better way to see what they're doing than waiting for letters and photos in the post. That's how we did it when I was a child, but l think l'm lucky I get to see so much more of their lives than my grandparents did.'

lronically, Sheila's grandchildren are less likely to use Facebook themselves. Children unser 17 in the UK are leaving the site - only 2.2 million uses are under 17 - but they're not going far from their smartphones. Chloe, aged 15, even sleeps with her phone. 'lt's my alarm clock so I have to,' she says. 'I look at it before I go to sleep and as soon as I wake up.'

Unlike her grandmother's generation, Chloe's age group is spending so much time on their phones at home that tbey are missing out on
spending time with their friends in real life. Sheila, on the other hand, has made contact with old friends from school she hasn't heard from in forty years. 'We use Facebook to arrange to meet all over the country,' she says. ' lt's changed my social life completely.'

Teenagers might have their parents to thank for their smartphone and social media addiction as their parents were the early adopters of the smartphone.

Peter, aged 38 and father of two teenagers, reports that he used to be on his phone or laptop constantly. 'I was always connected and I felt like I was always working,' he says. 'How could I tell my kids to get off their phones if I was always in front of a screen myself?' So, in the evenings and at weekends, he takes his SIM card out of his smartphone and puts it into an old-style mobile phone that can only make calls and send text messages. 'I'm not completely cut off from the world in case of emergencies, but the important things is I'm setting a better example to my kids and spending more quality time with them. 'Is it only a matter of time until the generation above and below Peter catches up with the new trend for a less digital life?

(Adapted from: 

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/b1-

reading/digital-habits-across-generations).