Introduction
Attention Getter: This year, on January 1st, the ban on plastic straws in restaurants and other service businesses began. The anti-straw movement started after a video of a turtle with straws stuck in its nostrils went viral on social media.
Background: However, plastic straws are a tiny percent of the plastic waste left in the ocean. Globally 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean per year. The matter of fact is that ocean pollution is a complex issue that cannot be solved by not using one thing.
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Audience Relevance: Why is this relevant to you though? Well, the ocean is vital for our existence. It makes up 97% of the water in our earth, generates a large portion of the oxygen we breathe, gives us a sixth of the animal protein we eat, and even helps reduce climate change.
Speaker Credibility: I have done extensive research on this topic.
Thesis: The purpose of this speech is for you to have a better understanding of the core problems of ocean pollution.
Preview of Main Points: So today I will talk about the problem, then I will discuss the causes and finally I will talk about the effects.
Transition to 1st Main Point: I’ll begin by talking about the problems with ocean pollution.
Main Point 1:
While there are several problems because of this issue, I will focus on two.
Sub-point A: One of the more obvious problems caused by ocean pollution is the harm to sea life. Whether it's by consumption, entanglement, suffocation, starvation, or drowning, ocean debris is a main offender to these sea animals. According to PEW’s news article, Plastic Pollution Affects Sea Life Throughout the Ocean, released on September 24, 2018, by Simon Reddy, he explains that at least 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, and as much as 80 percent of that litter is plastic. These high numbers are very concerning and are likely to increase.
Sub-point B: Another problem with this issue is the garbage patches created through marine debris and gyres. In the ocean there are five major gyres; the North and South Atlantic, the North and South Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. In essence, these gyres are huge whirlpools that pull objects in. Because of this, they’ve created these enormous patches of litter. The most known patch is called the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” It's estimated to be two times larger than Texas. Overall, these garbage patches have an immense amount of negative impact on the environment and human health.
Transition to 2nd Main Point: I just discussed two problems from ocean pollution now I’ll talk about some causes of it.
Main Point 2:
As I mentioned earlier, ocean pollution is complex, so while there are many causes, I will focus on two.
Sub-point A: One of the major causes of ocean pollution is derived through the commercial fish industry. The fish industry is famously known for abandoning an enormous amount of ghost gear. Ghost gear is essentially fishing nets-- that are “ghost” to the public because they sink down below the ocean's surface. According to NBC News article, ‘Banning plastic straws will not be enough’: the flight to clean the ocean, released on December 30, 2018, by James Rainey; the author points out that 46 percent of plastic waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — came from fishing nets. While this cause is not remarkably known, it is the main cause of ocean pollution.
Sub-point B: Another prominent cause is chemical pollution; which is as well caused by humans. Chemical pollutants are man-made contaminants that include; pesticides, fertilizers, industrial chemicals, sewage, and oil. These pollutants reach the ocean through runoff and far upstream. Their toxicity has proven to create dead zones with no oxygen and is said to end up in the aquatic food webs.
Transition to 3rd Main Point: I just talked about two causes of ocean pollution, so now I’ll talk about its effects of it.
Main Point 3:
The effects of ocean pollution are just as complex and drastic-- while again there is plenty to be aware of, I will discuss a couple.
Sub-point A: One effect of ocean pollution continuing is the fact that eventually the amount of plastics in the ocean will outweigh fish in the ocean. This is for various reasons including; the increase in plastic use continuing to rise, and recycling and reusing not being practiced enough. Because of the data collected, experts are able to estimate that this outcome is likely to happen by the year 2050.
Sub-point B: Another negative effect ocean pollution causes is making bacteria produce less oxygen. According to the Science Daily article, “Plastic pollution harms the bacteria that help produce the oxygen we breathe,” released on May 14th, 2019 by Macquarie University explains that a sea-dwelling, photosynthetic bacteria called Prochlorococcus generates ten percent of the earth's oxygen. **refer to graph** This is a study done that showed plastic present, and not present with this bacteria. There is a negative correlation when present, meaning less oxygen, and a positive correlation when not present, meaning more oxygen. This effect could have dire consequences for the entire ecosystem.
Signal the Conclusion: I just finished talking about two effects of ocean pollution, I will now conclude my speech.
Conclusion
Review Main Points: I first talked about the problems of ocean pollution, then the causes, and lastly the effects.
Restate Thesis: The purpose of this speech is for you to have a better understanding of the core information about ocean pollution.
Memorable Closer: While this speech was very informative, and may have introduced new information-- there is plenty more to learn in regard to this complex issue. This issue goes beyond two problems, two causes, and two effects. Luckily, if you would like to learn more, google is a good start.
References
- Harrington, Rebecca. “By 2050, the Oceans Could Have More Plastic than Fish.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 26 Jan. 2017, www.businessinsider.com/plastic-in-ocean-outweighs-fish-evidence-report-2017-1.
- Howard, Jenny. “Marine Pollution, Explained.” Marine Pollution Facts and Information, 2 Aug. 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/oceans/critical-issues-marine-pollution/.
- National Geographic Society. “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” National Geographic Society, 9 Oct. 2012, www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/.
- Rainey, James. “'Banning Plastic Straws Will Not Be Enough': The Fight to Clean the Oceans.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 1 May 2019, www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/banning-plastic-straws-will-not-be-enough-fight-clean-oceans-n951141.
- Reddy, Simon. “Plastic Pollution Affects Sea Life Throughout the Ocean.” The Pew Charitable Trusts, 24 Sept. 2018, www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2018/09/24/plastic-pollution-affects-sea-life-throughout-the-ocean.
- Macquarie University. 'Plastic pollution harms the bacteria that help produce the oxygen we breathe.' ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 May 2019.
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