It’s no secret our oceans are suffering from mankind’s persistent consumerism. Plastic waste accounts for 60-80% of all open water debris studied, and it seems the damage caused to earth’s essential ecosystems has already been done. Phenomena such as the Great Pacific garbage patch (or ‘trash vortex’ as they say across the pond) act as disturbing reminders of humanity’s neglect towards nature. It’s often widely misreported; the patch does consist of large, intact debris. However, 94% is a sludgy substance, made up of microplastics in a soup-like form, perfectly illustrating the catastrophic scale of litter.
There’s no doubt about the inevitable impact ocean trash has on marine wildlife. Humboldt penguins are endemic to South America’s west coast, specifically Chile and Peru. Small in size with a larger than life character, they are culturally treasured in both nations, prompting significant protective measures to be implemented by governments and conservation agencies. There are less than 20,000 wild penguins remaining worldwide.
London Zoo accommodates an infamous colony of Humboldt penguins. I visited the park to see some for myself, finding out much more about the symbolic species in the process.
Speaking to Suzi Hyde, a ZSL legend and keeper at the Penguin Beach exhibit, I picked her brain on the wholesome Humboldt and questioned how plastic poses particular problems. Stinking of fish, “it’s my work perfume”, Suzi outlines the vital role these penguins play in balancing South Pacific nature cycles.
I don’t know what it is about penguins, people just love them. Maybe its Morgan Freeman’s Attenborough rendition in March of the Penguins, or the John Lewis ad some years ago. They just warm the heart. What can you tell me about the Humboldt?“
How long have you got? But yes perhaps! They are very anthropomorphic creatures and its such good fun for kids here. We have a few species but the Humboldts are easy to spot because of the jet-black fur on their backs and white fronts with a black strip across their chests. They’re fairly rapid in the water and can swim between 20-30 miles per hour. Their name comes from the Humboldt Current [in-turn named after Prussian naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt] which is cold and not very salty. Where it meets tropical currents near the equator, the waters become upwelled, essentially shifting nutrients from the seabed causing lots more biological activity – perfect for penguins who only eat small fish, krill and squid.
It goes without saying oceanic plastic pollution is a direct threat to them, but how does this issue subordinately affect them?
“Of course, the penguins can become tied in debris and sustain injuries. I’ve seen for myself dead marine animals washed ashore tangled in litter. For these penguins to survive they’re completely dependent on the abundance of fish, which die from consuming microplastics. So this is just an indirect consequence which has a massive impact beyond this species.”
It’s an age-old question this, what can everyday folk do to make a positive impact on ridding the oceans of plastic?
“Well getting rid of the plastic already there is absolutely impossible. The biggest challenge is changing people’s attitudes. Reducing our consumption, buying less single-use items and disposing of them properly are all important. As ZSL staff members it’s our collective duty to inform and encourage people to engage with the natural world and we want visitors to leave with food for thought.”
As enticing as they are, what relevance does the humble Humboldt penguin bear on the everyday lives of Londoners? On the surface, not a lot it would seem. As one of the world’s megacities though, with significant global economic and cultural influence, lesser nations look to London as a talisman in the battle against waste pollution and for championing wildlife conservation.
Cue #OneLess – an initiative birthed by ZSL with the very simple concept of challenging the public, Londoners in particular, to ditch single-use plastic bottles in exchange for reusable ones. Since 2016, #OneLess has pledged to change the way Londoners drink water, working in unison with businesses, cultural attractions, events and policy makers in the capital to ‘find and implement solutions to enable a refill culture’. In the four years of operation, 28 public drinking fountains have been installed with over 80,000 bottles retrieved from the Thames. Okay, the river is void of exotic penguins. But in kick-starting the revolution domestically, others internationally may make sure to follow suit.
Since March 2019, the Peruvian government have banned single-use plastics in specific environments vulnerable to plastic pollution, such as beaches and protected areas. Firm plans to limit the levels of imported plastic for distribution, logistics and trade have been in place for several months. Furthermore, new legislation ensures plastic bags are taxed and requires 15% of all bottles to be made from recycled materials.
Ultimately, it’s down to governments and corporations to act logistically, but the real change starts at the bottom. The problem persists because too many people simply do not care. Conveying the sense of urgency and instilling an earnest mind-set into as many people as humanly possible is the name of the game. Those three wise words: reduce, reuse and recycle should resonate daily with consumers, as the onus is really on everybody to improve how we consume and dispose of plastic. I’m calling it a mamba mentality for mending the mess, and I urge you to think practically on plastic.