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Climate Facts: 11m tonnes of plastic waste flow into oceans annually

Plastic waste in a stream Plastic waste in a stream

The complexities of climate change and its associated jargon can make it difficult to digest. TheCable’s climate quick facts will help to demystify these climate concepts through easy-to-understand and straight-to-the-point explanations.

Here are some to keep at the tip of your fingers:

  • According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), exposure to plastics can harm human health, potentially affecting fertility, hormonal, metabolic and neurological activity.
  • UNEP says more than 800 marine and coastal species are affected by plastic pollution through ingestion, entanglement and other dangers.
  • Some 11 million tonnes of plastic waste flow annually into oceans. This may triple by 2040, the organisation said.
  • According to the United Nations, oceans absorb about 30 percent of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming.
  • The ocean has also absorbed more than 90 percent of the excess heat in the climate system, according to the UN.



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