World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is observed on 11th May. It was initiated in 2006. It highlights the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
The theme for WMBD 2019 is Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!. The day addresses the serious problem of plastic pollution and to highlight its negative effects on migratory birds.
Plastics and its dangerous nature:
With an annual production of more than 300 million tonnes, plastic is one of the most widely used materials in the world. Lightweight and designed to last, discarded pieces of plastic are easily transported to ecosystems through the forces of nature causing serious threats to migratory species around the world.
To make matters worse, plastic does not simply dissolve. Broken down into small particles by water, sunlight, and wind, it often leads to lethal cases of ingestion and entanglement.
Effect of plastics on Seabirds:
The number of seabirds dying from the effects of plastic every year is currently 1 million and growing. Existing research pinpoints the urgency of the matter: In just two decades, between 1960 and 1980, the number of birds found ingesting plastic has grown from 5% to 80%.
Plastic found inside birds includes bags, bottle caps, synthetic fibers from clothing, and tiny rice-sized bits that have been broken down by the sun and waves. Sharp-edged plastic kills birds by punching holes in internal organs. Some seabirds eat so much plastic, there is little room left in their gut for food, which affects their body weight, jeopardizing their health.
A recent study found a 67% decline in seabird populations between 1950 and 2010. The highest concentration of plastic in birds can be found in populations in southern Australia, South Africa, and South America.
What to do to fight plastic pollution?
Reduce, reuse and recycle - Limit your use of plastic materials and replace them with eco-friendly alternatives, use and dispose of plastics sustainably
Clean up - Join clean-up activities in your area, whether at beaches or along rivers
Spread the word - Support local and global action against plastic