World Environment Day: How your small changes can make a big impact

Today is World Environment Day and the theme this year is Beat Plastic Pollution, so we're looking at the effects plastic has on our native wildlife, and the small changes we can make in our everyday lives to help lessen our contributions to the growing production and consumption of plastics.

This grey-headed flying fox was found hanging from a tree along Yass River, tangled in fishing line with a lure

The growing crisis of plastic pollution threatens both the environment and human wellbeing alike. Plastic pollution is known to contaminate the water we drink, the food we eat, and the air we breathe. Microplastics are now even found in our bodies including arteries, lunch, brains and even breast milk. Plastic has also been found in the bodies of those we share our environment with - including our native wildlife.

Recently, Australian scientists have discovered mutton birds on Lord Howe Island that have so much plastic in their stomachs that they crackle and crunch under slight pressure. Mutton birds are seabirds belonging to the petrel family, they are significant to Australia and New Zealand both in ecological respects and culturally.

The birds on Lord Howe Island are now so full of plastic, they crunch

Losing the War on Waste ABC News 15 May

On a pristine Australian island, the seabirds have become so full of plastic they crackle and crunch.

Warning: this story contains graphic images.

You don't have to go far to discover the damaging effects of plastic on our wildlife. As a volunteer wildlife rescue organisation, all too often do we see the consequences of discarded plastics. From fishing line wrapped around legs and wings, to the stomachs of animals littered with plastic rubbish, there isn't much the carers and rescuers throughout our organisation haven't seen. This beautiful echidna below was found with a cap round stuck firmly around their nose. It was only by coincidence that they were found, after they had been clipped by a car and a Wildcare rescuer and carer who was following behind stopped to check on them, discovering the plastic compressed around the echidnas nose. The echidna recieved urgent vet care yet sadly, succumbed to their injuries after two weeks in care.

An echidna was discovered with a cap round compressed around their nose, after being hit by a car. Photos provided by their rescuer and Wildcare Queanbeyan volunteer Melissa Pearce.

It's estimated 11 million tonnes of plastics leak into aquatic ecosystems globally each year, and around 13 million accumulating into the soil. This year, the world is expected to consume 516 million tonnes of plastic, growing to over 1.2 billion tonnes by 2060.

While the UN Environment Assembly continues to negotiate on an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, there are things we can do in our own lives to help reduce plastic footprint:

• Carry a reusable water bottle and BYO reusable coffee cup

• Say no to plastic straws & cutlery

• Bring your own shopping bags

• Choose products with less packaging, including loose produce

• Before making a purchase, ask yourself 'Do I need this, can it be reused?'

• Research alternative ways you can recycle your soft plastics, such as TerraCycle or Recycle Smart

The rewards of fixing plastic pollution are profound: cleaner oceans and lands, healthier people, animals and ecosystems, greater climate resilience, and stronger economies. 

Your small changes can have a BIG impact.