Publication Date
1-2023
Keywords
environment, pollution, plastic, waste, Asia Pacific Region
Volume
2023
Abstract
Plastic and waste pollution is a global problem, but it affects ocean communities in the Asia Pacific Region (APR) the most due to their lack of resources to process the pollution. Additionally, low-income areas in these countries need access to sustainable non-plastic packaging options, which increases the amount of plastic generated. Direct pollution leads to poor ocean health and the disruption of important industries like tourism or fishing. Plastic pollutants eventually break down, which creates microplastics and releases toxic chemicals. These pollutants damage ecosystems and severely harm marine life. The overwhelming amount of waste pollution in the APR also damages communities and creates public health problems. Some organizations are working to increase the amount of available infrastructure in addition to cleaning up the existing waste pollution, but more must be done with urgency to sufficiently solve this problem.
Recommended Citation
Kingsolver, Whitney
(2023)
"Effects of Plastic and Waste Pollution on Ocean Communities in the Asian Pacific Region,"
Ballard Brief: Vol. 2023:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/ballardbrief/vol2023/iss1/2