Video 5 of the Ocean Plastic Unit. This video unveils the reality of plastic, a material entrenched in our daily routines, highlighting its journey from production to its persistent impact on our planet, and underscoring its non-biodegradable property. Students will discover how plastic, while convenient, becomes a major environmental hazard, breaking down into detrimental microplastics instead of decomposing. The narrative follows a plastic bag's unintended voyage from city streets to the ocean's expanses, illustrating its role in escalating oceanic plastic pollution. This contamination affects not just the surface but also the ocean's depths, creating vast garbage patches and endangering marine life, such as sea turtles. The video is designed to foster a sense of stewardship and urgency among children, prompting them to reflect on plastic's lifecycle and its ramifications. It also highlights proactive efforts by organizations like The Ocean Cleanup and Clear Blue Sea, which are developing engineering solutions to address this critical issue, motivating children to think creatively about how they can contribute to reducing plastic waste and preserving our oceans.

Originally released by Fuelblue, 2024. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on July 19, 2024.