The Plastic of All Plastics (#PlanetOrPlastic)

The Plastic of All Plastics

Janice ran down the stretch of golden sand and leaped into the ocean. The setting sun painted the clouds in beautiful shades of red, orange, and blue. Beneath this fluffy canopy, the ocean shimmered like a treasure chest. Children were paddling in the shallow water and in the distance, a couple was filming bridal shots as the sun's last rays enchanted the bay with a fairy-tale-like shimmer. Janice sighed at nature's masterpiece in front of her and thought that Natura Bay must be the most beautiful place in the world.

Indeed, Natura Bay was hailed as the World's Top Heritage site where nature's magnificent beauty was combined with human innovation to preserve the last vestiges of the natural world our forefathers enjoyed. Centuries ago, widespread dumping of plastic trash into the sea caused the oceans to become toxic as the plastic disintegrated into harmful chemicals. Black waves crashed onto abandoned beaches and corals lost their colours. Many thought that was the end for all marine life but human ingenuity refused to be thwarted. A group of scientists came together and created what is known as "Super-plastic"; plastic that will never disintegrate. Their invention was venerated as humanity's salvation and Super-plastic went on to form the Wall that separates Natura Bay, the last remaining toxic-free bay, from the rest of the world's ocean.

At Natura Bay, the world's supply of marine livestock was raised in netted enclosures and Janice was one of the few privileged to call the bay their home. Buoyed by the water, Janice gazed out towards the Wall secured in the protection it provided. She had always felt a deep sense of respect for the scientists who created the Wall and rescued humanity from a bleak ocean-less future. With the future saved, there was no need to reduce plastic consumption and the waste-ocean beyond the Wall was elected as the optimal plastic disposal area.

Treading water, Janice suddenly frowned and squinted.

Peering down at the seabed, Janice shook her head. No, it must be the sparkle of the clear water that caught her attention. The use of plastic was banned in Natura Bay and besides, nobody would be foolish enough to throw trash into the bay. Photos of pitch-black waters with floating debris published in newspapers has internalized the consequences of polluting the bay into all residents. Janice glanced back at the Wall with pride one last time and decided to head home.

The next morning, reporters on the news noted with worry that blackish marks were found on Natura beach. Scientists were already undergoing investigation and newscasters allayed public fear by reporting that the waters are clear as usual. However, a sense of dread filled Janice and she rushed to the beach. Wading into the waters, Janice spotted a fish floating belly up. Horrified, she turned towards the Wall. Janice's heart clenched in fear as she saw a couple more dead fishes floating in the distance. Stunned, Janice came to a realization: The Wall has been breached.