DISASTERS

NATURAL AND
HUMAN-
INDUCED
L E V E L 11
INTERNACIONAL
DISASTER
HUMAN-INDUCED
THE GARBAGE
ISLAND OF THE
PACIFIC OCEAN
HUMAN - INDUCED
In the Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and
California, lies one of the world's five
garbage islands. According to a recent
study, this large accumulation of plastics is
growing at great speed. So much so that its
dimensions are estimated to be larger than
those of France.

One of the greatest environmental

catastrophes is still present and continues
to increase every day. These are the so-
called plastic islands, of which there are
thousands in the oceans and seas. The
most worrisome, however, is the so-called
giant plastic soup or island in the Pacific
Ocean. It is estimated that until recently it
contained more than 1.4 square kilometers
of garbage and more than 100 million tons
of it, but it is getting bigger every day.
What are plastic islands and what are
their causes?

Plastic islands are giant clusters of

plastics in the oceans. From a
distance you can see a huge stain on
t h e s u r f a c e o f t h e w a t e r, b u t u p c l o s e
you can see every bag, container or
piece of plastic that makes it up.

These large stains of marine debris

are undoubtedly the fault of human
beings, since we are the only ones
who consume this material and then
pour it into the oceans, directly or
indirectly throwing them into
inadequate landfills or in areas
where the waters of the rivers,
s o o n e r o r l a t e r, d r a g t h e m i n t o t h e
seas and oceans.

This is a major environmental

problem, since it is well known that
these materials are very polluting
and that they are among the materials
that take the longest to degrade.
What can be done to solve the problem of
plastic islands? For scientists studying the
problem and for the relevant authorities, it is
really difficult to trace all marine debris
discharges to their source, as many are
accidental or due to lack of information on the
subject and others are illegal dumping.

However, at a personal level we can do a lot to

improve this problem, especially if we add up
what we can each do, because the more people
involved, the greater the effect will be.

Here are some tips for possible solutions to

plastic and garbage islands

Recycle waste: the more the better, either in

containers or at clean points or, failing that,
reuse.

Support associations dedicated to this

purpose.Help spread the word about the
problem and raise awareness.

Volunteering: to clean water and beaches, as

waste is removed and recycled or properly
managed.

Denounce infractions: either of some that you

have seen or believe that they are going to be
carried out.
NACIONAL
DISASTER
N AT U R A L
ETA, TROPICAL
DEPRESSION
2020
N AT U R A L D I S A S T E R
Eta, which arrived in Guatemala as a
tropical depression that generated
torrential rain for several days, has
affected 170,097 people, according to
data from the National Coordinator
for Disaster Reduction (Conred)
updated on November 7.At that time,
21 people were reported dead, 103
missing and 3,125 people still at risk,
as well as 27,129 evacuated.

President Alejandro Giammattei

mentioned on Friday figures of 150
people dead but they have not yet
been made official. The search
continues in the community Quejá
located in San Cristóbal Verapaz and
in Chibal village, Soloma and other
areas of Huehuetenango.
In addition, there are 7,087 houses
with different levels of damage, 4
destroyed roads, 10 collapsed bridges
and 14 affected.

In addition, according to the strategic

table of agricultural information, as of
Saturday there were 28 municipalities
in 5 departments (Alta Verapaz,
Chiquimula, Izabal, Jalapa and
Quiché) with damages.These include
an area of 5,041 hectares and 17,212
families affected, in addition to
damage to crops mainly of basic
grains, coffee, banana, plantain,
cardamom and vegetables.

Reports are pending for 7 more

departments that are in the process of
monitoring: Petén, Zacapa, El
Progreso, Jutiapa, Santa Rosa and
Huehuetenango.
THANK
YOU