Nick Paton Walsh explores the Pacific Island of Midway to expose the adverse effects of plastic pollution on plants, marine life, wildlife, and humans. Obama’s visit to the remote island marked an important step for humanity to acknowledge the impact of the major toxic pollutants in plastics on water and land pollution. The shocking toll of human beings’ daily habits can be felt on the island despite it being made a worldwide refuge by President Obama. A big proportion of carelessly disposed water bottles, toothbrushes, coffee cups and other plastic materials are swept up ashore to negatively impact the natural environment for wildlife and marine life. The video also captures the devastating impact of plastic waste on the food chain. Approximately 3 billion people who rely on the seafood are at risk of experiencing reduced supplies as a result of the polluting plastics. This proves that as more organisms become poisoned from plastic ingestion, the food sources for human beings become more limited. President Obama’s visit to the tiny island will be remembered as an important step in his efforts to preserve the threatened ecosystem.
The US administration, led by President Obama, has led the world in drawing attention to the harmful effects of climate change. The Obama administration has even felt the need to turn at-risk areas into national monuments to combat climate change. Analyzing Nick Thompson’s article reveals that humanity is to blame for the menace that is plastic waste and the subsequent damage to air, land and water systems. Midway represents just one of the areas in the world that are a direct reflection of humanity’s role in environment degradation. Consider that Midway is home to over 7000 marine and bird species that are at risk of being poisoned and killed by plastic waste upon ingestion. It is no secret that the on-the-go modern lifestyle that depends on easily disposable products has contributed to a large proportion of plastic pollution across the world. The visit by the US President on the in Midway proves that it is expensive to clean the already affected areas after being exposed to long periods of plastic waste, not to mention the loss of plant and animal life. As the world population rises, the challenge of plastic waste is bound to increase. However, the challenge begins and ends with humanity. The ecosystems around the world are dependent on the direct actions of individuals. As such, companies should join the US administration and implement practices that promote waste reduction at all levels. President Obama’s intervention in Midway should be emulated by these companies through the production of reusable bags as well as switch to better packaging items. Not only should individuals choose items that recyclable packages, but also handle items that cannot be reused wisely. Thompson’s article reveals that wrong disposal of plastic waste creates a bigger problem for the world’s ecosystems if Midway Island is to be considered. If human beings became more conscious of their daily actions, the estimated 8 million tons per year of plastic waste that is swept into the oceans should reduce. It is possible to have a planet free of plastic pollution and its toxic effect on the ocean, humans, and the environment. Furthermore, the living generation, as shown through the actions of the US administration, is responsible for the welfare of future generation.