Ocean Pollution
Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches that are home to many different sea animals. Many tourists travel to Hawaii to view the colorful sunsets and long miles of golden sand. However, over the years more and more trash has ended up in the ocean. Research shows that litter on Hawaii's beaches has increased by 77% since 1994. Each year, over one billion pounds of trash end up in the ocean, leading to harmful effects on animals. Litter on beaches is increasing rapidly due to the overpopulation in Hawaii. Pollution in the ocean is the cause for many species to become endangered. Of all the waste that goes into the ocean, plastic is the most destructive. "Plastic is a long-lasting pollutant that does not fully break down." Since plastic cannot break down, the amount of this pollutant can only increase in the ocean. Many people travel long distances to visit Hawaii's sites. With more tourist traveling to Hawaii, it means that more litter will go on beaches. "90% of waste that washes up onto beaches is plastic." Many species end up eating plastic, and dying tragic deaths.. Animals such as turtles mistake garbage floating in the ocean as their food. 50-80% of sea turtles are found dead due to ingesting plastic. Pollution is causing a lot of damage to Hawaii's enviroment.
The increase of tourism in Hawaii means the rise of pollution in the water. "Population in Hawaii is growing an average of 1.12% each year." More people equals more trash and litter on the ground, and in the air. Thousands of animals such as seabirds, seals, turtles, etc. are killed after getting entangled in garbage. "We're drawing direct lines from human nutrients inputs to the reefs ecosystem and how it affects wildlife." When people litter, it leads to the death of many animals.. Humans leave man-made products, such as sunscreen and tanning lotion in the ocean, which ruins the coral reefs that is home to many animals. Overpopulation in Hawaii is causing more pollution on beaches.
Pollution in the ocean is causing the deaths, and diseases of many animals. More than 300 species have gone endangered due to pollution in the ocean. Animals such as Hawaiian Monk seals, and green sea turtles are part of those 300 species. "Pollution in Hawaii is causing tumours on these endangered turtles." Nitrogen run-offs from farm waste is the cause of all these tumours. The ocean is becoming more and more contaminated, making it deadly for sea animals. Research shows that, "93% of Hawaiian sea turtles have these deadly tumours." known as Fibropapillomatosis. Human debris is a huge factor to the deaths of many different sea animals. Scientists find that hundreds of species are being harmed or killed by the trash that people toss into the ocean. Pollution has had a direct and deadly effect on wildlife.
Among the grains of sand, there are billions of tiny plastic pieces covering the surface of beaches in Hawaii. Like pollution, population in Hawaii is increasing each year. How much longer can we keep this image of "paradise" up, when our beaches are being contaminated? Pollution is very hazardous and deadly to the environment. Many ocean animals are becoming endangered due to the pollution in the ocean. Hawaii's environment is being greatly effected by the amount of pollution increasing on beaches.
