Watch Drowning in Plastic

Drowning in Plastic is a compelling and sobering documentary from BBC Select that explores the devastating impact of plastic pollution on our oceans and the creatures that inhabit them. The film is guided by Liz Bonnin, a wildlife biologist and presenter, who takes audiences on a journey across the globe to witness firsthand how the proliferation of plastic is wreaking havoc on the environment.

The opening scenes of the documentary are nothing short of shocking. We see a team of scientists examining the stomach contents of albatrosses on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. The birds have ingested enormous amounts of plastic, mistaking it for food, and the results are stomach-churning. The birds' stomachs are filled with bottle caps, lighters, and an endless array of other consumer plastics. For the birds, this means a slow and painful death from starvation as their stomachs are unable to digest the plastic. Seeing this is a stark reminder of the urgency of the problem, and it sets the tone for the rest of the documentary.

Throughout the film, Bonnin meets with experts in various fields who are working to understand the problem and seek solutions. We learn that plastic waste is ubiquitous in our oceans; it can be found in every corner of the globe, from remote islands to the deepest reaches of the Mariana Trench. In one striking scene, Bonnin interviews a deep-sea explorer who shows her a plastic bag that has made its way to the ocean floor, thousands of feet below the surface. The image of a plastic bag, a symbol of modern convenience, lying silently in the darkness is haunting.

The documentary focuses on three main areas where plastic pollution is having a devastating impact: microplastics, megaplastics, and ghost fishing gear. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are less than 5mm in size. They come from a range of sources, including cosmetics, clothing, and other consumer products, and they are almost impossible to see with the naked eye. Despite their small size, they pose a serious threat to marine life, which can ingest them at all levels of the food chain.

Megaplastics are larger plastic objects, like bottles and bags, that are more visible in our oceans. Despite being larger, they are no less dangerous. Animals can become entangled in them, leading to injury, malnutrition or death. In one scene, Bonnin investigates the impact of plastic waste on tortoises on a remote island in the Indian Ocean. The situation is dire, as the tortoises are consuming large amounts of plastics, which is having a serious impact on their health and ability to reproduce.

Ghost fishing gear refers to fishing equipment that has been lost or abandoned in the ocean. Nets, lines, and traps can continue to trap and kill marine life long after they have been discarded. In one particularly powerful scene, a team of divers rescues a trapped sea turtle from a ghost net, narrowly saving its life.

Despite the devastating impact of plastic pollution, the documentary ends on a note of hope. Bonnin meets with scientists and entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions to combat the problem. Some are working on new materials that can replace plastic, while others are developing new technologies to recycle and repurpose plastic waste. The documentary highlights the inspiring work of people and organizations to tackle the root causes of plastic pollution and to remove it from our oceans.

In sum, Drowning in Plastic is a powerful and confronting documentary that shines a light on the global challenge of plastic pollution. It is a must-watch for anyone who cares about the environment, and it is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for action to address this pressing issue. The documentary is not without its difficult and emotional moments, but it is a necessary wake-up call to the urgent need to address this crisis.

Drowning in Plastic is a series that ran for 1 seasons (2 episodes) between September 30, 2018 and on BBC Select