Ocean threats

Oceans produce:

• 25% of the oxygen on Earth

• between 25% and 50% of the oxygen on Earth

• between 50% and 75% of the oxygen on Earth

• All the oxygen on Earth

Answer explanation

Oxygen production from the ocean - The ocean and the photosynthesis of its plant organisms (phytoplankton in particular) absorb CO2 and produce oxygen (O2).

The ocean thus absorbs 30% of the planet's CO2 and produces between 50% and 75% of the oxygen we breathe.

Which of these human activities is not a threat to the oceans?

• Oil and gas extraction

• Carbon dioxide emissions

• Overfishing

• Tourism

• Swimming

Answer explanation

The first 4 activities are gradually destroying the resources of the oceans.

– Digging to extract gas and oil damages the seabed and destroys the habitat of marine flora and fauna.

– If there is too much CO2 in the air, the ocean may no longer be able to clean the air.

– By fishing too much, we destroy the natural balance of the sea and we make certain species disappear.

– Pollution from tourists (bags, plastic bottles) endangers the inhabitants of these oceans.

In the last 50 years, the world production of plastic has been multiplied by:

• 10

• 20

• 50

Answer explanation

We produce 20 times more plastic today than 50 years ago. We produce an average of 400 million tonnes of plastics every year.

How many millions of tons of plastic are dropped into the oceans each year?

• Between 2 and 4 million tons

• Between 8 and 12 million tons

Answer explanation

Every minute, the equivalent of a plastic garbage truck is dumped into the ocean.

If nothing is implemented, this number will increase to two per minute by 2030, and to four per minute by 2050.

At the current rate of pollution, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans.

Plastic is dangerous for biodiversity and kills...

• more than 1 million seabirds per year

• 200,000 seabirds per year

In new Zealand, we recycle:

• 28% of plastic in circulation

• 50% of plastic in circulation

A plastic bag has a lifespan of:

• 30 years

• 400 years

Answer explanation

Between 100 and 400 years depending on the type of plastic bag. To deal with this pollution, several countries including France have banned their use.

How many plastic bottles are consumed by each New Zealander every year?

• 28

• 98

• 168

• 258

Why should you wear clothes made out of natural fiber?

• Because cotton and linen are prettier than fleeces

• Because when washed, synthetic fabrics lose their plastic fibers which pollute the oceans

Fast food generates:

• more food waste than plastic waste

• more plastic waste than food waste

Answer explanation

Fast food represents 32,000 tons of plastic waste every year! Also, this waste is poorly sorted and recycled. Finally, with nomadic consumption, some of the waste is left in nature.