I was moved by a recent article you published on Maine students pushing Congress to take action on climate. Climate change driven by plastic pollution in our oceans is particularly poignant. Maine is renowned for beautiful coastal waters. Dozens of communities in Maine rely on our fisheries to maintain their lifestyles. Plastic pollution in our oceans will have drastic detrimental effects on our fishers, our economy, and our coastline.

Plastic pieces are often mistaken for food by sea life and eaten. The effects of living in this toxic soup are unknown, but since plastic is not digestible, it affects their ability to eat, grow, and reproduce. Not only are there less and smaller sea life as a result, but in eating this seafood, we’re eating every piece of plastic they have within them. Several kinds of plastics have been shown to be toxic to humans when eaten and more research is emerging to that point.

Plastic pollution in Maine’s waters will negatively affect Maine’s economy, its beauty, and its tourism. Sea life cannot exist with these plastics in our waters. Recently, 15-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, a student much like myself, pushed world leaders to be more active in the fight against climate change. I was inspired by her own work to push Maine locals to fight: for themselves, for their livelihoods, for us, the generation to come. My parents’ generation knows Maine for its seafood and coast, not for its plastic. Let’s keep it that way.

Zachary Bull
Falmouth