Microplastics in semen of humans and testes of dogs. Infographic.

If you were in any doubt about the extent of worldwide plastic pollution, take a look at this infographic prepared by me based on news reports which are in turn are based in Chinese studies (perhaps the world’s biggest contributor to world pollution).

The plastic that we throw away is broken down into tiny particles called microplastics which are small enough to get inside us and our pets. They can circulate around the bloodstream and end up in human semen, men’s testes and the testes of our pets, in this instance dogs but the principles must apply to any companion animal including cats.

How does this affect fertility? Is humankind on the path to a dramatic fall in overall population numbers in their long-term future because of general pollution – pesticides and air pollution – combined with microplastic pollution inside their body? Probably yes is the answer unless something drastic is done.

Humankind is bathing in a metaphorical soup of almost invisible plastic particles and we will never get rid of this pollution as it is so profound.

MikeB

You’ll find plastic nanoparticles on the world’s tallest mountain, Everest, and at the deepest parts of the oceans, the Mariana Trench. It is everywhere. We don’t see them but they are harming us and our companion animals of which we are the custodians. We are the custodians of Planet Earth. How are we doing?

RELATED: New evidence linking dementia and pollution so think about your full-time indoor cat companion

Which rivers are discharging the most plastic into the oceans?

While many rivers contribute to plastic pollution in the oceans, some are truly staggering in the amount they carry. Here’s a breakdown of the worst offenders:

• Top Contributor: The Yangtze River in China is identified as the biggest culprit, discharging millions of tons of plastic annually into the East China Sea. You can see why the Chinese conducted these studies. They have an urgent problem. In general China is the worst offender on the pollution of the planet judged by my reading of the news and research. It is not just plastic by buring fossil fuels as the country insists on generating electricity in coal-fired power stations. They have over 1000.
• Other Major Contributors: Several rivers in Asia, particularly Indonesia, also rank high in plastic discharge. The Brantas, Solo, Serayu, and Progo Rivers in Indonesia are all significant sources. Asia is a big offender in general of the destruction of the planet. I am thinking here of forests as well.
• More Than Just a Few: Importantly, research suggests that around 1,000 rivers are responsible for roughly 80% of global riverine plastic emissions.

It’s important to remember that this is a complex issue. While some rivers carry a much higher volume of plastic, factors like distance from the ocean and efficiency of plastic capture within the river system also play a role in how much plastic ultimately reaches the ocean. Source: Google Gemini.

RELATED: Examples of people who’ve had plastic surgery to look like a cat

Decling sperm count

There is evidence that sperm counts have been declining globally over the past few decades. Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far:

• The Decline: Studies suggest a significant decline in sperm concentration and total sperm count. A 2017 meta-analysis reported that sperm counts had declined by 52.4 percent between 1973 and 2011. More recent research shows this decline may be accelerating.
• Global Impact: This decline isn’t limited to specific regions. While it appears more pronounced in Western countries, a 2022 meta-analysis suggests a decline in non-Western countries as well.
• Potential Causes: The exact causes are still being investigated, but research suggests a combination of factors may be at play, including:
  • Environmental factors like exposure to pollutants and chemicals.
  • Lifestyle choices like smoking, diet, and obesity.
  • Certain medical conditions.
• Impact on Fertility: It’s important to note that a decline in sperm count doesn’t necessarily equate to a decline in overall male fertility. However, it is a cause for concern and further research is needed to understand the full implications.

Here are some resources for further reading:

• Wikipedia article on the Male infertility crisis: [Wikipedia Male infertility crisis]
• Mayo Clinic page on Low sperm count: [Mayo Clinic low sperm count]