August 23, 2019

Scientists Find Micro-plastics in Arctic Snow

 the arctic ocean microplastics

 

 The Arctic is a polar region at the northernmost part of the Earth. It consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Finland, Greenland, Alaska, Northern Canada, Russia, Sweden, and Norway.  When many people think of the Arctic they think of a pure and white blanketed area untouched by pollution. However a recent finding shows the opposite.  Scientists have recently found that there are micro-plastics in the Arctic.  Micro-plastics are any type of plastic fragment that is less than 5mm big.  Micro-plastics can be created through larger pieces of plastic breaking down over years or even from synthetic clothing when you wash them. Small synthetic fibers go into the water system every time you wash a synthetic garment. Micro-plastics are so dangerous because they can be ingested unknowingly by animals and humans.  It is not fair that animals in our environment have to pay for our production mistakes.

So why is it so alarming that micro-plastics have been found in the arctic?  Well, the Arctic has been thought to be pretty clean compared to the rest of the World.  The fact that micro-plastics have reached all the way to the Arctic is disappointing. Micro-plastics are now in our soil, air, and water.  Some of the plastic pollution in the Arctic has drifted from 1,000 of miles away; other plastic pollution has been created by tourists and residents.  This finding opens the question of is there any place on earth that hasn't been touched by pollution from humans?  With the Amazon Rainforest on fire and plastic pollution in the arctic, it seems as if what has been thought of as "pure" places are at now at risk.  Everyone can do their part to prevent micro-plastic pollution. One simple way is to not buy clothing made with synthetic fabrics, but instead wear natural fabrics such as hemp and organic cotton.  Check our shop and learn more about the benefits of hemp HERE