1. Plastic Oceans

Ocean Currents

• Definition:Ocean currents are like large rivers of water moving through the ocean. They move back and forth constantly and are very important. They help keep the Earth's climate in balance, distribute heat across the planet and also affect the animals and plants that live in the sea.

• Types of Ocean Currents

  • Surface Currents: These occur in the upper 400 meters of the ocean and are driven by wind patterns and affect the upper layers of the ocean.

  • Deep Water Currents: These are caused by differences in temperature and salinity, which affect water density.

• Impact on plastic

  • Impact on plastic: Ocean currents also help move plastic trash around the ocean. Plastic can travel thousands of miles, and in some places it accumulates heavily, forming large areas filled with plastic, such as the "plastic garbage patch."

Plastic Garbage Patch

• Definition: The most well-known is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California.The "plastic garbage patch" is an area of ​​the ocean where a lot of plastic accumulates due to currents. Although you don't see an island of garbage, the water is full of small pieces of plastic that harm marine animals and the environment.

• Size: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, is estimated to be twice the size of Texas.

• Composition: Mostly small plastic pieces (microplastics) that are too small to be easily cleaned up. This plastic waste harms marine life, as animals often mistake it for food or become entangled in it.

Why Plastic Use is a Problem

• Environmental Impact: Plastics are non-biodegradable, meaning they do not break down naturally in the environment. This leads to long-term pollution.

  • Marine Life: Marine animals, such as fish, turtles, and seabirds, often mistake plastic for food, leading to ingestion, injury, or death.

  • Microplastics: Over time, larger plastic debris breaks down into small particles (microplastics), which are ingested by marine organisms and can enter the food chain.

• Human Health: Microplastics have been found in drinking water, food, and even in the air, raising concerns about their potential impact on human health.

• Resource Waste: Plastic production relies heavily on non-renewable resources like petroleum. The manufacturing process contributes to environmental pollution and carbon emissions.

• Cleanup Challenges: Removing plastics from the ocean is difficult and expensive, and the problem continues to grow due to ongoing plastic production and poor waste management.

2. Natural Resources

Renewable Energies

• Definition: Energy sources that are naturally replenished and do not deplete over time.

• Types:

  • Solar Energy: Energy from the sun via solar panels.

  • Wind Energy: Generated by wind turbines.

  • Hydroelectric Energy: Produced from water flow, often at dams.

  • Geothermal Energy: Heat from Earth's interior for heating/electricity.

  • Biomass: Energy from plant and animal waste.

• Advantages:

  • Sustainable and constantly replenished.

  • Minimal greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Lower costs after installation.

• Challenges:

  • Intermittent availability (weather-dependent).

  • High initial setup costs.

  • Large land requirements for projects.

Non-renewable Energies

Definition: Energy sources that cannot be replenished within a human lifetime and are finite.

Types:

• Fossil Fuels:

  • Coal: Solid fossil fuel used for electricity and industry.

  • Oil: Liquid fuel for transportation and heating.

  • Natural Gas: Cleaner-burning fuel for heating and power generation.

• Nuclear Energy: Energy from splitting atom nuclei, used mainly for electricity.

Advantages:

• High energy density.

• Reliable and available 24/7.

• Existing infrastructure for extraction and use.

Challenges:

• Environmental impact from burning fossil fuels.

• Finite resources leading to depletion.

• Contribution to climate change.

• Nuclear waste disposal issues.

• Geopolitical conflicts over resource distribution.

Additional Study:

Solutions to Plastic Pollution: Investigate global initiatives such as banning single-use plastics, improved recycling, and emerging technologies to clean up the oceans.

Growing Renewables: See how advances in solar and wind energy are helping to mitigate climate problems and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.