We are so incredibly lucky to live on such a beautiful planet, and although the human race has done great things on Earth, we’ve also ruined it in the process. Although we can turn our lives around and do something about the devastation we’re causing, we are running out of time. With each passing day, our impact has an even bigger effect on the natural world around us, and it seems as though it’s getting out of control. These tropical islands are now plastic dumpsters, and it seems as though we’re nearly reaching the point of no return…
The Cocos Islands
If you Google the Cocos Islands, you will be greeted by incredible photographs that showcase clean golden sands, beautiful blue water, and some of the most glorious palm trees you have ever come across. While they once looked like the ultimate paradise, they have since changed a little. That’s because these 27 tiny little islands have been ruined, and it seems as though there is now no way out.
A Tourist Destination
These islands are external territories of the Australian government, and in recent years, they have been transformed into a tourist destination. The main island has been laden with a visitor center, and there’s even an airport for travelers to fly in and out. This has allowed people to make their way to the islands to check them out for themselves, and they have left their trash there in the process. However, it’s not just the people who have set foot on the Cocos Islands that are the problem.
Washing Ashore
Located in the Indian Ocean, these islands have become somewhat of a barrier. As more and more trash makes its way into the ocean, it eventually washes ashore and lies on the once-golden sands of the Cocos Islands. In 2017, a marine scientist by the name of Jennifer Lavers made her way to these shores for a couple of weeks. During this time, they counted how many pieces of trash had landed on the sand, and ultimately came up with a staggering number. During that time, they counted around 414 million pieces of trash, including huge chunks of plastic, single-use bottles, and a whole load of pollution.
Plastic takes around 1,000 years to decompose, which is why it’s important to reduce your plastic usage as much as possible. For the sake of the Cocos Islands.