Supporter,

We've been reporting on fossil fuel greenwashing and the effects of the plastic crisis on the ocean's ecosystems. But isn't just hurting marine life—did you know we are all eating plastics?

In addition to all the unlikely places scientists are finding microplastics—the depths of the ocean, the tributaries of the Amazon's rainforest, encased in Arctic ice—we have to add the inside of your own body. Some experts estimate humans eat a credit card-sized amount of plastic every week!

How, you might ask, do we ingest this much plastic? According to one study, salt, honey, seafood, even beer, are potential vehicles for microplastics. 

Despite these terrifying statistics, Big Oil and Gas plan to increase their production of plastic products year over year—in part to stave off profit losses from reduced fuel consumption. The Sierra Club is working hard to reverse this cycle through advocacy, education, and grassroots action—please, help us do all three by becoming a Wilderness Guardian today.

While we don't know the specifics about how consuming plastics affects our health, indications thus far aren't good. Researchers have found evidence that microplastics in animals can cross into the bloodstream—and that mothers can pass microplastics through the a developing fetus.

Some microplastic particles are believed to leach bisphenol A—which, according to studies, can lead to reduced fertility in men and women. Styrene, a chemical found in plastic, has also been linked to hearing loss, cancer, and neurological problems.

It's up to us to protect our health and the health of future generations. In addition to avoiding direct consumption through water bottles and plastic straws, we can exert pressure as consumers on companies to change their practices—while also urging government bodies at the state and municipal levels to impose single-use plastic bans.

You can also become a Wilderness Guardian! Your monthly contribution will help us hold Big Oil and Gas accountable, so that we can protect wildlife and human health.

With your support, the Sierra Club has gotten pretty good at taking on the fossil fuel industry—retiring nearly 350 coal-fired power plants and stopping construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

We can beat Big Plastic, too—but fighting polluting production facilities, while urging municipal bans on various kinds of single use plastics and encouraging consumers to end their own use of single-use bottles, bags and more, will be a heavy lift. You can help us end plastic pollution by becoming a Wilderness Guardian today.