8 giugno 2016
The health of the planet also descends from the health of its oceans: the oceans cover three-quarters of the Earth's surface, ensure survival for three billion people and generate about three trillion dollars a year in resources and industries, 5 percent of global GDP. This is reminded by the UN on the occasion of World Oceans Day on June 8.
This year's theme for the occasion is “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planets,” and the UN's efforts are particularly focused on the battle against plastic pollution, one of the major 'scourges' of today's seas. “There is a need for urgent conduct on a global scale to relieve the oceans of the many pressures they face and to protect them from future dangers,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. About eight million tons of plastic end up in the planet's waters each year. Waste that breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces until it becomes microplastics
Plastic pollution is a serious threat, the UN notes, because it has a major impact on the health of marine animals. Just a few days ago, a study in Science pointed out that the larvae of some fish prefer microplastics to their natural food (plankton), addicted like kids to 'junk food.' Tendency that affected their development, even leading the larvae to death.
