{"id":24011,"date":"2017-03-27T15:29:12","date_gmt":"2017-03-27T13:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oneearth-oneocean.com\/the-problem\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T10:30:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T09:30:06","slug":"the-problem","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oneearth-oneocean.com\/en\/the-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"THE PROBLEM"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"24011\" class=\"elementor elementor-24011 elementor-9\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2ed4add elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"2ed4add\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-256da66\" data-id=\"256da66\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d177d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d177d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Marine debris<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e6e18bd\" data-id=\"e6e18bd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6c6911 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e6c6911\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Marine debris, i.e., pollution in the world&#8217;s oceans, rivers, and lakes, endangers the organisms living in them and is one of the greatest challenges facing our global society. An estimated 150 million tons of plastic are already in our oceans, and more than 10 million tons are added every year. Up to 80 percent of marine litter comes from land, and about three-quarters of it is plastic. If pollution continues at the current rate, the oceans will be completely littered in a few years. According to recent studies by the United Nations, there will likely be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. Huge carpets of plastic waste are already forming in the world&#8217;s oceans, the largest of which, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the Pacific, is already twice the size of Texas (1.6 million square kilometres or 620,000 square miles).<br \/>Birds, fish, and other creatures eat plastic pieces and die from blocked stomachs or internal injuries. It has been scientifically documented that more than 40 percent of whales, about 36 percent of seabirds, and almost all fish and sea turtle species eat garbage. Other marine animals get caught or strangled in old fishing nets, ropes, or plastic sheets.<br \/><br \/><br \/>Plastic in the sea does not simply disappear, but has a lifespan of up to 500 years. The longer plastic floats in the oceans, the more it is broken down into smaller and smaller fragments (microplastics) due to friction, salt water, and UV radiation. Microplastics are also part of cosmetics, synthetic clothing fibers, or abrasion from car tires, for example, and are washed into the oceans via rivers. Microplastics can hardly be removed from nature with today&#8217;s means. It also binds microorganisms and pollutants. Marine animals mistake plastic particles for food and die as a result.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-421ff38 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"421ff38\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8b1b006\" data-id=\"8b1b006\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc3b3e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"fc3b3e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c5166b6\" data-id=\"c5166b6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9548295 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9548295\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1b32ec9\" data-id=\"1b32ec9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a689845 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a689845\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b12736f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"b12736f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ba09500\" data-id=\"ba09500\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-589fc29\" data-id=\"589fc29\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97e41ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"97e41ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Plastic components (e.g., plasticizers) also threaten us humans through their insidious influence on the food chain. They have already been detected in the human brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, the blood stream, and breast milk. It can cross the placenta as well as the blood-brain barrier. The effect on the human body is yet largely unknown, but research shows that microplastics can cause \u201ccancer, metabolic diseases, hormonal disorders, and abnormalities in brain and nervous system development.\u201d (https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3417\/15\/22\/12289)<br \/>The medium to long-term effects of microplastics on humans and animals have not yet been sufficiently researched, let alone solutions found for their removal from the environment.<br \/><br \/><br \/>In addition to plastic waste, oil, chemicals, and other pollutants also regularly contaminate the water. Crude oil, petroleum products, and chemicals enter the sea through tanker accidents, ship operations, and offshore oil production. However, the largest proportion of oil and chemical pollution worldwide enters the sea via rivers from land.<br \/><br \/>Chemical binders and so-called dispersants (for oil decomposition) are often used to combat oil spills, but their residues usually sink and can endanger the entire ecosystem. OEOO is working on methods to remove oil and chemicals from water quickly, in an environmentally friendly manner, and without leaving any residues.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6626a32 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"6626a32\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e8a3e1d\" data-id=\"e8a3e1d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ecc7bc elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"6ecc7bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-72b68a7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"72b68a7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9455721\" data-id=\"9455721\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab8ea81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab8ea81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Microplastics<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fb81f5f\" data-id=\"fb81f5f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be4817d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"be4817d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Plastic in the sea does not simply disappear, but has a lifespan of up to 500 years. The longer plastic floats in the oceans, the more it is crushed into ever smaller fragments (microplastics) due to friction, salt water and UV radiation. Or these are part of e.B. cosmetics, fibers of synthetic clothing or abrasion of car tires and are washed into the oceans via rivers. Microplastics can hardly be removed from nature by today\u2019s means. It also binds microorganisms and pollutants. Marine animals hold plastic parts for food and perish from them.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0a110f1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"0a110f1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a8ae161\" data-id=\"a8ae161\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ef8d6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2ef8d6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2f7dcfa\" data-id=\"2f7dcfa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86ea625 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"86ea625\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2bee95d\" data-id=\"2bee95d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ed607d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9ed607d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f3e09f4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"f3e09f4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d006dd6\" data-id=\"d006dd6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-82572f4\" data-id=\"82572f4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7d9cf2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7d9cf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPlastic components (e.B. plasticizers) also threaten us humans through the creeping influence on the food chain. It has already been detected in the human body. Research on microorganisms shows that microplastics can cause inflammation in tissues and weaken organisms.\n\nThe medium- to long-term effects of microplastics on humans and animals have not yet been sufficiently researched, let alone that there are solutions for its removal from water.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c341d28 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"c341d28\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e8af0bb\" data-id=\"e8af0bb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-516174f elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"516174f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9665bb3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"9665bb3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e4481ae\" data-id=\"e4481ae\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e50fa12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e50fa12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Oil Pollution<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2731964\" data-id=\"2731964\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73fe2d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"73fe2d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In addition to plastic waste, oil, chemicals and other pollutants also regularly pollute the water. Crude oil, petroleum products or chemicals enter the sea simily as a result of accidents such as oil tanker accidents, ship operations and oil production at sea. However, the world\u2019s largest share of oil and chemical pollution flows into the sea from land via rivers.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-40bb83b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"40bb83b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e7565a9\" data-id=\"e7565a9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cb3cc7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9cb3cc7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-762a7e1\" data-id=\"762a7e1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c352d45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c352d45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-24e75d2\" data-id=\"24e75d2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dac875 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4dac875\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8c0a004 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"8c0a004\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cfedee2\" data-id=\"cfedee2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b0fce9\" data-id=\"0b0fce9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8355f68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8355f68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Chemical binders and so-called dispersers (for oil decomposition) are often used in the fight against oil spills, whose residues usually sink and can also endanger the entire ecosystem. OEOO is therefore working on processes to get oil and chemicals out of the water quickly, without residue and in an environmentally friendly manner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0369f71 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-gap-beside-no elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"0369f71\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e6359ca\" data-id=\"e6359ca\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec62121 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ec62121\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-90edcae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-gap-beside-yes elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-column-vertical-align-stretch\" data-id=\"90edcae\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a550fb7\" data-id=\"a550fb7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5915047 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5915047\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>THE SOLUTION<\/h2><p>One Earth \u2013 One Ocean has set itself a major goal: a \u201cmaritime waste collection service.\u201d The aim is to clean the world&#8217;s oceans and inland waters of plastic waste using specially developed catamarans of various sizes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb5905c elementor-align-right elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"cb5905c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\/en\/the-solution\/the-maritime-disposal\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">READ MORE<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7ae48e9\" data-id=\"7ae48e9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-310ed45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"310ed45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marine debris Marine debris, i.e., pollution in the world&#8217;s oceans, rivers, and lakes, endangers the organisms living in them and is one of the greatest challenges facing our global society. An estimated 150 million tons of plastic are already in our oceans, and more than 10 million tons are added every year. Up to 80 percent of marine litter comes from land, and about three-quarters of it is plastic. If pollution continues at the current rate, the oceans will be completely littered in a few years. According to recent studies by the United Nations, there will likely be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. Huge carpets of plastic waste are already forming in the world&#8217;s oceans, the largest of which, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the Pacific, is already twice the size of Texas (1.6 million square kilometres or 620,000 square miles).Birds, fish, and other creatures eat plastic pieces and die from blocked stomachs or internal injuries. It has been scientifically documented that more than 40 percent of whales, about 36 percent of seabirds, and almost all fish and sea turtle species eat garbage. Other marine animals get caught or strangled in old fishing nets, ropes, or plastic sheets. Plastic in the sea does not simply disappear, but has a lifespan of up to 500 years. The longer plastic floats in the oceans, the more it is broken down into smaller and smaller fragments (microplastics) due to friction, salt water, and UV radiation. Microplastics are also part of cosmetics, synthetic clothing fibers, or abrasion from car tires, for example, and are washed into the oceans via rivers. Microplastics can hardly be removed from nature with today&#8217;s means. It also binds microorganisms and pollutants. Marine animals mistake plastic particles for food and die as a result. Plastic components (e.g., plasticizers) also threaten us humans through their insidious influence on the food chain. They have already been detected in the human brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, the blood stream, and breast milk. It can cross the placenta as well as the blood-brain barrier. The effect on the human body is yet largely unknown, but research shows that microplastics can cause \u201ccancer, metabolic diseases, hormonal disorders, and abnormalities in brain and nervous system development.\u201d (https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3417\/15\/22\/12289)The medium to long-term effects of microplastics on humans and animals have not yet been sufficiently researched, let alone solutions found for their removal from the environment. In addition to plastic waste, oil, chemicals, and other pollutants also regularly contaminate the water. Crude oil, petroleum products, and chemicals enter the sea through tanker accidents, ship operations, and offshore oil production. However, the largest proportion of oil and chemical pollution worldwide enters the sea via rivers from land. Chemical binders and so-called dispersants (for oil decomposition) are often used to combat oil spills, but their residues usually sink and can endanger the entire ecosystem. OEOO is working on methods to remove oil and chemicals from water quickly, in an environmentally friendly manner, and without leaving any residues. Microplastics Plastic in the sea does not simply disappear, but has a lifespan of up to 500 years. The longer plastic floats in the oceans, the more it is crushed into ever smaller fragments (microplastics) due to friction, salt water and UV radiation. Or these are part of e.B. cosmetics, fibers of synthetic clothing or abrasion of car tires and are washed into the oceans via rivers. Microplastics can hardly be removed from nature by today\u2019s means. It also binds microorganisms and pollutants. Marine animals hold plastic parts for food and perish from them. Plastic components (e.B. plasticizers) also threaten us humans through the creeping influence on the food chain. It has already been detected in the human body. Research on microorganisms shows that microplastics can cause inflammation in tissues and weaken organisms. The medium- to long-term effects of microplastics on humans and animals have not yet been sufficiently researched, let alone that there are solutions for its removal from water. Oil Pollution In addition to plastic waste, oil, chemicals and other pollutants also regularly pollute the water. Crude oil, petroleum products or chemicals enter the sea simily as a result of accidents such as oil tanker accidents, ship operations and oil production at sea. However, the world\u2019s largest share of oil and chemical pollution flows into the sea from land via rivers. Chemical binders and so-called dispersers (for oil decomposition) are often used in the fight against oil spills, whose residues usually sink and can also endanger the entire ecosystem. OEOO is therefore working on processes to get oil and chemicals out of the water quickly, without residue and in an environmentally friendly manner.&nbsp; THE SOLUTION One Earth \u2013 One Ocean has set itself a major goal: a \u201cmaritime waste collection service.\u201d The aim is to clean the world&#8217;s oceans and inland waters of plastic waste using specially developed catamarans of various sizes. READ MORE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":21462,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>THE PROBLEM - One Earth - One Ocean e. V.<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/oneearth-oneocean.com\/en\/the-problem\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"THE PROBLEM - One Earth - One Ocean e. V.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Marine debris Marine debris, i.e., pollution in the world&#8217;s oceans, rivers, and lakes, endangers the organisms living in them and is one of the greatest challenges facing our global society. An estimated 150 million tons of plastic are already in our oceans, and more than 10 million tons are added every year. Up to 80 percent of marine litter comes from land, and about three-quarters of it is plastic. If pollution continues at the current rate, the oceans will be completely littered in a few years. According to recent studies by the United Nations, there will likely be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. Huge carpets of plastic waste are already forming in the world&#8217;s oceans, the largest of which, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the Pacific, is already twice the size of Texas (1.6 million square kilometres or 620,000 square miles).Birds, fish, and other creatures eat plastic pieces and die from blocked stomachs or internal injuries. It has been scientifically documented that more than 40 percent of whales, about 36 percent of seabirds, and almost all fish and sea turtle species eat garbage. Other marine animals get caught or strangled in old fishing nets, ropes, or plastic sheets. Plastic in the sea does not simply disappear, but has a lifespan of up to 500 years. The longer plastic floats in the oceans, the more it is broken down into smaller and smaller fragments (microplastics) due to friction, salt water, and UV radiation. Microplastics are also part of cosmetics, synthetic clothing fibers, or abrasion from car tires, for example, and are washed into the oceans via rivers. Microplastics can hardly be removed from nature with today&#8217;s means. It also binds microorganisms and pollutants. Marine animals mistake plastic particles for food and die as a result. Plastic components (e.g., plasticizers) also threaten us humans through their insidious influence on the food chain. They have already been detected in the human brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, the blood stream, and breast milk. It can cross the placenta as well as the blood-brain barrier. The effect on the human body is yet largely unknown, but research shows that microplastics can cause \u201ccancer, metabolic diseases, hormonal disorders, and abnormalities in brain and nervous system development.\u201d (https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3417\/15\/22\/12289)The medium to long-term effects of microplastics on humans and animals have not yet been sufficiently researched, let alone solutions found for their removal from the environment. In addition to plastic waste, oil, chemicals, and other pollutants also regularly contaminate the water. Crude oil, petroleum products, and chemicals enter the sea through tanker accidents, ship operations, and offshore oil production. However, the largest proportion of oil and chemical pollution worldwide enters the sea via rivers from land. Chemical binders and so-called dispersants (for oil decomposition) are often used to combat oil spills, but their residues usually sink and can endanger the entire ecosystem. OEOO is working on methods to remove oil and chemicals from water quickly, in an environmentally friendly manner, and without leaving any residues. Microplastics Plastic in the sea does not simply disappear, but has a lifespan of up to 500 years. The longer plastic floats in the oceans, the more it is crushed into ever smaller fragments (microplastics) due to friction, salt water and UV radiation. Or these are part of e.B. cosmetics, fibers of synthetic clothing or abrasion of car tires and are washed into the oceans via rivers. Microplastics can hardly be removed from nature by today\u2019s means. It also binds microorganisms and pollutants. Marine animals hold plastic parts for food and perish from them. Plastic components (e.B. plasticizers) also threaten us humans through the creeping influence on the food chain. It has already been detected in the human body. Research on microorganisms shows that microplastics can cause inflammation in tissues and weaken organisms. The medium- to long-term effects of microplastics on humans and animals have not yet been sufficiently researched, let alone that there are solutions for its removal from water. Oil Pollution In addition to plastic waste, oil, chemicals and other pollutants also regularly pollute the water. Crude oil, petroleum products or chemicals enter the sea simily as a result of accidents such as oil tanker accidents, ship operations and oil production at sea. However, the world\u2019s largest share of oil and chemical pollution flows into the sea from land via rivers. Chemical binders and so-called dispersers (for oil decomposition) are often used in the fight against oil spills, whose residues usually sink and can also endanger the entire ecosystem. OEOO is therefore working on processes to get oil and chemicals out of the water quickly, without residue and in an environmentally friendly manner.&nbsp; THE SOLUTION One Earth \u2013 One Ocean has set itself a major goal: a \u201cmaritime waste collection service.\u201d The aim is to clean the world&#8217;s oceans and inland waters of plastic waste using specially developed catamarans of various sizes. READ MORE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/oneearth-oneocean.com\/en\/the-problem\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"One Earth - One Ocean e. V.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/oeoo.world\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-07T09:30:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/oneearth-oneocean.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/DSC_0657-002.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1062\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"709\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/oneearth-oneocean.com\/en\/the-problem\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/oneearth-oneocean.com\/en\/the-problem\/\",\"name\":\"THE PROBLEM - One Earth - One Ocean e. 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V.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/oneearth-oneocean.com\/en\/the-problem\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"THE PROBLEM - One Earth - One Ocean e. V.","og_description":"Marine debris Marine debris, i.e., pollution in the world&#8217;s oceans, rivers, and lakes, endangers the organisms living in them and is one of the greatest challenges facing our global society. An estimated 150 million tons of plastic are already in our oceans, and more than 10 million tons are added every year. Up to 80 percent of marine litter comes from land, and about three-quarters of it is plastic. If pollution continues at the current rate, the oceans will be completely littered in a few years. According to recent studies by the United Nations, there will likely be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. Huge carpets of plastic waste are already forming in the world&#8217;s oceans, the largest of which, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the Pacific, is already twice the size of Texas (1.6 million square kilometres or 620,000 square miles).Birds, fish, and other creatures eat plastic pieces and die from blocked stomachs or internal injuries. It has been scientifically documented that more than 40 percent of whales, about 36 percent of seabirds, and almost all fish and sea turtle species eat garbage. Other marine animals get caught or strangled in old fishing nets, ropes, or plastic sheets. Plastic in the sea does not simply disappear, but has a lifespan of up to 500 years. The longer plastic floats in the oceans, the more it is broken down into smaller and smaller fragments (microplastics) due to friction, salt water, and UV radiation. Microplastics are also part of cosmetics, synthetic clothing fibers, or abrasion from car tires, for example, and are washed into the oceans via rivers. Microplastics can hardly be removed from nature with today&#8217;s means. It also binds microorganisms and pollutants. Marine animals mistake plastic particles for food and die as a result. Plastic components (e.g., plasticizers) also threaten us humans through their insidious influence on the food chain. They have already been detected in the human brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, the blood stream, and breast milk. It can cross the placenta as well as the blood-brain barrier. The effect on the human body is yet largely unknown, but research shows that microplastics can cause \u201ccancer, metabolic diseases, hormonal disorders, and abnormalities in brain and nervous system development.\u201d (https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3417\/15\/22\/12289)The medium to long-term effects of microplastics on humans and animals have not yet been sufficiently researched, let alone solutions found for their removal from the environment. In addition to plastic waste, oil, chemicals, and other pollutants also regularly contaminate the water. Crude oil, petroleum products, and chemicals enter the sea through tanker accidents, ship operations, and offshore oil production. However, the largest proportion of oil and chemical pollution worldwide enters the sea via rivers from land. Chemical binders and so-called dispersants (for oil decomposition) are often used to combat oil spills, but their residues usually sink and can endanger the entire ecosystem. OEOO is working on methods to remove oil and chemicals from water quickly, in an environmentally friendly manner, and without leaving any residues. Microplastics Plastic in the sea does not simply disappear, but has a lifespan of up to 500 years. The longer plastic floats in the oceans, the more it is crushed into ever smaller fragments (microplastics) due to friction, salt water and UV radiation. Or these are part of e.B. cosmetics, fibers of synthetic clothing or abrasion of car tires and are washed into the oceans via rivers. Microplastics can hardly be removed from nature by today\u2019s means. It also binds microorganisms and pollutants. Marine animals hold plastic parts for food and perish from them. Plastic components (e.B. plasticizers) also threaten us humans through the creeping influence on the food chain. It has already been detected in the human body. Research on microorganisms shows that microplastics can cause inflammation in tissues and weaken organisms. The medium- to long-term effects of microplastics on humans and animals have not yet been sufficiently researched, let alone that there are solutions for its removal from water. Oil Pollution In addition to plastic waste, oil, chemicals and other pollutants also regularly pollute the water. Crude oil, petroleum products or chemicals enter the sea simily as a result of accidents such as oil tanker accidents, ship operations and oil production at sea. However, the world\u2019s largest share of oil and chemical pollution flows into the sea from land via rivers. Chemical binders and so-called dispersers (for oil decomposition) are often used in the fight against oil spills, whose residues usually sink and can also endanger the entire ecosystem. OEOO is therefore working on processes to get oil and chemicals out of the water quickly, without residue and in an environmentally friendly manner.&nbsp; THE SOLUTION One Earth \u2013 One Ocean has set itself a major goal: a \u201cmaritime waste collection service.\u201d The aim is to clean the world&#8217;s oceans and inland waters of plastic waste using specially developed catamarans of various sizes. READ MORE","og_url":"https:\/\/oneearth-oneocean.com\/en\/the-problem\/","og_site_name":"One Earth - One Ocean e. 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