MADRID: The sperm whale washed off the Murcia coast in Spain in February. Biologists have recently carried out an autopsy on the whale, and among other things, they’ve discovered plastic bags, a jerry can, several pieces of rope and net, and even a drum. The amount of human trash was enormous, reaching about 30 kilograms (66 pounds). As the experts from the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Center confirmed, the plastic itself killed the whale — the unfortunate creature simply ingested too much plastic and couldn’t expel it. It appears that the plastic caused a blockage in the whale’s digestive system which led to an infection that ultimately proved fatal.
While scientists are unsure exactly how much harm this plastic is causing, more and more evidence suggests that wildlife is greatly suffering and there are myriad examples of whales washing up on the beach with stomachs full of plastic. Birds, turtles, fish — nothing is spared from the ever-growing mountain of plastic. But there are some reasons for optimism.
In England, a $0.05 tax on plastic bags caused a massive drop in plastic bag usage, and elsewhere in the world, similar results are being observed. There are ways to reduce our plastic usage, but it requires strong, systematic efforts in all layers of society. Policymakers, corporations, and us, the citizens, all need to play our part.
