WHY A STYROPLASTICAL EARTH?


Hey everyone. My name is Mohamed Eesaa Allie and I have produced this blog as an attempt to make clear what is happening to our oceans due to the increase in Styrofoam and Plastic pollution. Basically the title is the combination of these forms of waste. Based on my first post, the International Coastal Clean Up was an event that began around 30 years ago which emphasizes the point that we need to be more aware of the pollution that we produce. Before I begin, the foundation of this blog is accountable upon my Bachelor degree in Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology and in my Science Communication class, I have chosen this topic based on the International Year of the Reef (IYOR). This was an initiative that started in 1997, since there was an escalation of the ultimatum of the coral reefs. Also, in consideration are mangroves and sea grasses globally. (https://www.icriforum.org/about-icri/iyor). These natural habitats are in trouble and it is our choice to help them or not. I am choosing the latter, are you with me? Let’s do this.
          In order to express a problem, we must know how and why these two villains of the environment are here. In terms of plastics, humans were using plastic long before you and I were born, that is Egyptians used resins, natural plastics to varnish their coffins and the Greeks used amber to make jewelry. (Bijker, 1987). As this author put it, due to the increase in population and need for plastics, there had to be a way to increase the amount of plastic and reduce the pressure of the natural resources. Indeed, through the formation of Bakelite by Arthur Smith, an artificial resin sparked the idea that we see today in our oceans. It might have been a need back then, but now it is a dependency that is killing our environment due to lack of proper disposal.

Image result for plastic pollution
Plastic Pollution

plastic-pollution.org

          On the other hand, Styrofoam was created by a Dow chemical company scientist named Ray McIntire. He said that it was accidental as he was trying to find a flexible electrical insulator (ThoughtCo.com). According to Science History Institute, Styrofoam was made for construction building and craft work since it is stronger, stiffer, and more expensive than the ones we use for drinking coffee. However, again we see a good thing go bad through carcinogens and too much waste. Now that I have assessed why and how it took place, we can move forward to dealing with it. Are you ready to be an environmentalist? Until next time, take care. 
  


Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 7, 2018 at 2:03 PM

    Very interesting. I look forward to your upcoming posts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownOctober 13, 2018 at 8:28 AM

    wow! this was very informative and interesting

    ReplyDelete
  3. Raeann Gervais October 25, 2018 at 4:07 PM

    Very usefully information. Can't wait for your upcoming posts!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shakti KhafraOctober 26, 2018 at 1:16 PM

    very nice take on Styrofoam as a pollutant, and i like that you gave back ground information about yourself, why you are doing this blog and the topic on which your blog is based on. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 28, 2018 at 5:58 PM

      I appreciate your comment very much, thank you a lot.

      Delete
  5. afiyaOctober 28, 2018 at 10:26 AM

    Very informative.

    ReplyDelete

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