The earth is identified as the only planet in the universe that sustains life. Nevertheless, it is evident that mankind has done little to ensure it remains fit for human and plant life. The documentary “Plastic Paradise- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch” that was directed by Angela Sun depicts a clear view of the ignorance of man as his actions continue to deteriorate the environment around him. The film takes the audience on a journey to the Midway Atoll better known as a site where a battle in World War II was carried out. However, this island has now turned into a garbage dump filled with various forms of plastics that are deposited by mankind. These are the plastics that individuals will use from day to day including bags and bottles for drinking water (Sun, 2013). Due to the growing size of garbage in the island, the chemicals associated with the plastics have been identified as a health risk both to human beings and animal species.
The documentary identifies the albatrosses as the primary residents in the island whose large population has greatly been affected by the enormous garbage. The Midway Atoll is identified as one of the remote areas where the effect dumped plastics have on the environment. There is significant amount of plastic from all over the world that was found at the shores of this island. It is also noted that marine life has not been spared as tests indicate that fish around the area have ingested plastics that have been chemically treated. As a result, this could greatly affect the human population who may eat fish nearly on a daily basis (Farber, 2013). Sun then starts asking all the important questions on this build up of garbage, how it arrives at the island, where it comes from and the effects on both animal and human life.
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The director in this case looks to make direct contact with the various chemicals found in plastics through a self contamination experiment using Bisphenol A. According to the film it is quite evident that nearly all of mankind have exposed themselves to this chemical and could have their health affected if exposure is continued. It is believed that the Garbage Patch could cover the area of twice the size of Texas to the entire continental size of the US. This is quite huge owing that majority of the trash island is found below the surface of water. Therefore, one would literally have to use a massive net in order to identify just how much plastic is found in the region (Sun, 2013). The director of the film provides expert opinion to identify the effects of the plastics as dead albatrosses are dissected only to find plastics inside them. Big plastic corporations are seen to be at fault as it is known that plastics are not biodegradable as they are dumped instead.
In order to rectify this wrong that each member of the society has been involved in either directly or indirectly, it is important to put an end to plastic production at least for a while. This is where plastic bags will no longer be used in carrying groceries from the stores and alternatives are found to replace them. The big corporations who have actively been involved in the production and dumping of these plastics and deteriorating the planet will be required to be effectively involved in clearing the garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean (Sun, 2013). This is a step into the right direction where government along with these corporations demonstrate that the sustenance of the future generation is by far important than merely making profits at the moment. The community at large will participate in the recycling of the plastic bags to avoid creating garbage dumps.
References
Farber, S. (2013) Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Film Review . The Hollywood Reporter, Online. Retrieved from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/plastic-paradise-great-pacific-garbage-649566
Sun, A. (2013) Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch . IMDb, Online. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2277946/
