Reading Comprehension Test 11 - Ocean Plastic Pollution

Passage

Every year, approximately eight million tonnes of plastic waste enters the world's oceans. This staggering figure is the equivalent of dumping a rubbish truck full of plastic into the sea every single minute. Scientists estimate that there are now over 150 million tonnes of plastic floating in our oceans, forming enormous garbage patches in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The consequences of this pollution are devastating. Marine animals such as sea turtles, dolphins, and seabirds frequently mistake plastic items for food. When they ingest plastic, it can block their digestive systems and eventually lead to starvation. Microplastics, tiny fragments less than five millimetres in size, have been found in the stomachs of fish that humans commonly consume, raising serious concerns about the impact on human health. Governments and environmental organisations around the world are taking action to address this crisis. Many countries have banned single-use plastic bags and straws, while innovative companies are developing biodegradable alternatives. The Ocean Cleanup project, founded by Dutch inventor Boyan Slat, has designed a system to collect floating plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. However, experts agree that the most effective solution is to reduce plastic production and consumption at the source.