Sir David Attenborough has said plastic pollution is an “unfolding catastrophe” the we “ignore at our peril.”
His warning came as a bag and sweet wrappers were found whilst on a record breaking ocean dive.
The veteran wildlife campaigner said plastic in the oceans is a “global problem” that must demand a global response.
Victor Vescovo, an explorer descended almost 11km down into the depths of the Mariana Trench, in the Pacific Ocean and discovered plastic waste.
Writing in the i Newspaper Sir David said, “I have seen for myself the effects of plastic pollution on some of our planet’s most precious species and natural places, an unfolding catastrophe that has been overlooked for too long.
“But we ignore it at our peril.”
Sir David’s comments came after a major report warned that wildlife habits across the world are declining at an “unprecedented” rate.
Since the 1980s plastic pollution has increased 10-fold which is harming seabirds, mammals and turtles.
Tearfund who released the report on Tuesday warned of the impact to health on Humans over plastic pollution.
Sir David added, “This report is one of the first to highlight the impacts of plastic pollution not just on wildlife but also on the world’s poorest people.
“Humankind’s ability to produce this material on an industrial scale far outstrips our ability to manage it, and as a consequence plastic is choking our rivers and seas.”
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