WASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- A U.S. environmental group says human trash is fouling the world's oceans and is mainly due to carelessness and indifference.
The Ocean Conservancy released a report detailing the nearly 7 million pounds of flotsam and jetsam picked up during a 1-day cleanup drive last year and warned it adds to the overall stress on the oceans.
"If organisms and ecosystems in the ocean are going to resist or recover from the impacts of climate change, they need to be as healthy and resilient as possible," Ocean Conservancy scientist Dennis Heinemann said. "Marine debris is just one more impact."
The San Jose Mercury News said Wednesday the study found food wrappers and cigarette butts accounted for much of the waste, which scientists said means the problem could be easily reduced if people were more considerate.
