Re:Where does the plastic in oceans come from?
by lhorie on Saturday August 14, 2021 @06:39PM
(#28184552)
One thing to be aware of though is all these numbers are in the 0.x% range per country, making it easy to draw "eh we're not so bad" type of conclusions.
But consider visualizing it like this: if the entire amount of ocean pollution was represented by a 10x10x10 pile of tires, 2.5 tires would be of American origin. So while not completely embarrassing, it's not exactly great either.
Considering there are some 200 countries in world, 0.x% contribution is within the same order of magnitude to the average contribution.
So although some countries have more slack to pick up, I think the alarmist tone about US isn't necessarily unwarranted.
But consider visualizing it like this: if the entire amount of ocean pollution was represented by a 10x10x10 pile of tires, 2.5 tires would be of American origin. So while not completely embarrassing, it's not exactly great either.
Considering there are some 200 countries in world, 0.x% contribution is within the same order of magnitude to the average contribution.
So although some countries have more slack to pick up, I think the alarmist tone about US isn't necessarily unwarranted.