In the middle of the ocean, a turtle flails. Plastic has tangled itself over its nose and mouth, preventing it from breathing. This isn’t the only animal that is suffering. In fact, the crucial problem of plastic in the ocean has affected the world right up to the sea salt and fish we eat. If the world is going to survive, humans will need to reduce their plastic usage.

Some people might think that humans need plastic for everyday use and that reducing plastic is impossible. Others say the ocean isn’t that full of plastic, and there are more animals above ground, so isn’t it better to place plastic where humans aren’t?

Facts like these seem reasonable, but they aren’t true. Haben Kelati, an author at The Washington Post, reports that around ten million tons of plastic goes into the ocean each year, which also has been damaging plankton. Since plankton are essential for the food chain, most ocean animals could soon go extinct. Plastic has already been found in animals at the bottom of the sea. If we keep this up, there will be enough plastic to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050.

I researched many ways to reduce your plastic usage. Yes, reducing plastic is hard, but not impossible. Baby wipes, tennis balls, laundry and dishwasher tablets, cigarette butts, glitter, and paper cups all shed microplastic and can’t be broken down easily. Instead of baby wipes, my family uses a washable towel and cleaning spray or a wet napkin. A tennis ball can be replaced with simply another type of ball. You can also bring your own water bottle or a coffee cup instead of using paper cups. Laundry and Dishwasher tablets have powder versions that aren’t coated in plastic. Unfortunately, cigarette butts and glitter are just pieces of plastic without replacements. When you’re at the grocery store, there are many ways to reduce plastic too, including buying grains in barrels and bringing your own container or just buying in bulk!

The last reason, if you think “it’s better to place plastic where humans aren’t,” is definitely false. Humans need to be aware of what they’re doing and see landfills. Besides, if humans are the ones putting the plastic in the earth, then should they have to be the ones to have to live in their own doings, or plastic?

With all the plastic going into and affecting the ocean, saying that “there’s not that much plastic” and “it’s better in the ocean” shouldn’t happen. Additionally, there are many ways to reduce plastic, and although it’s hard, it’s not impossible, that is plainly an excuse. We have to do all we can to keep the earth healthy. If people could reduce their plastic levels, it would help so much more. Please ask your friends and family to reduce their plastic levels.

Adeline Lee is a 5th grader who loves hanging out at the beach and doesn’t want plastic to destroy our oceans.