John,

Scientists and environmentalists have known this for some time: large plastic items like bags and bottles cause massive ocean pollution.

But now experts are confirming another more insidious plastic threat to our oceans and combating climate change. Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments of larger items, such as plastic bags, grocery bags, and food wrappers. They are about one-third the size of a dime that, over time, degrade into smaller and smaller pieces. And they’re everywhere.

These microplastics do the same things as larger plastics: polluting land and sea while leaching toxic chemicals into the food chain. 

However, scientists are increasingly concerned that microplastics may also inhibit one of the world’s most important carbon sinks and prevent planet-warming carbon molecules from being locked away in the seafloor.       

It’s a double-whammy for efforts to curb climate change. Microplastics release greenhouse gases and prevent carbon sinks — the oceans’ best tool to fight climate change.

John, it’s time for us to break up with our plastic dependency. If we’re going to prevent the constant flow of plastics from entering our waters, we must take preventive action seriously.  

SEEC members of Congress continue to press for increased government and agency efforts to end our plastic dependency. Can you chip in to let them know you have their back?

Thanks for your support.

SEEC PAC