rather sobering read courtesy of Environmental Act

rather sobering read courtesy of Environmental Action

Plastic litter breaks up in the environment, forming tiny, insidious particles called "microplastics." It's been clear for some time that this kind of pollution is harming the ocean, but now we know: microplastics are far more widespread than we thought.

A recent study found up to 18,000 particles of microplastic per cubic meter of the Tennessee River, an unprecedented finding in a freshwater ecosystem.1 It's clear that our plastic waste problem is more dire than ever.

We're working hard to raise awareness, reduce plastic pollution and save wildlife -- but all our work takes resources. Can you donate today?

Plastic in our rivers

Because of how plastic breaks down, our environment is polluted with millions and millions of plastic pieces -- some too small for our eye to see, and each and every one dangerous to wildlife. To a bird, a fish or a turtle, a small piece of plastic can look indistinguishable from food.

It turns out even insects -- the fundamental base of the food chain in most ecosystems -- are consuming microplastics. At least 50 percent of all freshwater insects in one study area were contaminated.2

The continued tide of plastic pollution in habitats and ecosystems of all kinds is queueing up impacts we can't anticipate. And once microplastics are in the environment, we don't know any way to remove them.3

You can help support our work protecting the planet we share from the impacts of plastic with a donation today.

With the help of members like you, Environmental Action has been able to take steps to reduce the devastating impacts of plastic on our environment. Tens of thousands of you have called on your governors for state bans on polystyrene foam, taken local action by encouraging businesses in your towns to stop the use of plastic cups and containers, and more. Together we contributed to California's recent ban on plastic straws, and Starbucks' similar exciting commitment.

Many plastic products are used only for minutes or seconds -- but they stay in the environment forever once discarded. Wildlife is worth so much more than the convenience of a foam coffee cup.



1. Sarah Gibbens, "'Alarming' level of microplastics found in a major U.S. river," National Geographic, October 10, 2018.
2. Julia Short, "Microplastics are being overlooked in river ecosystems, 50 percent of freshwater insects contaminated," Phys.org, September 27, 2018.
3. Sarah Gibbens, "'Alarming' level of microplastics found in a major U.S. river," National Geographic, October 10, 2018.