In a stark example, Maher highlighted the infamous Great Pacific Garbage Patch—a floating mass of trash in the Pacific Ocean estimated to be three times the size of France. Disturbingly, plastics from these garbage patches are now present almost everywhere: in the soil that grows our food, in the animals that end up on our plates, and even, Maher joked, in our Kardashians.
The problem goes deeper than just trash floating in the sea. Plastics break down over time, contaminating soil, marine life, and eventually, our own bodies. Due to this pollution cycle, studies estimate that the average person ingests an amount of plastic equivalent to a credit card every week. This plastic overload isn’t just inconvenient or unsightly; it’s a serious health risk, with long-term impacts we’re only beginning to understand.
Maher’s comments carry an even heavier weight when considering the oceans' vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Beyond their beauty and biodiversity, oceans produce over half of our planet’s oxygen. But as these ecosystems choke on plastics and other pollutants, our air supply—and ultimately, our survival—could be at stake.
Maher’s takeaway was simple but powerful: while political debates touch on important topics, the lack of focus on environmental threats like plastic pollution leaves a glaring gap. This crisis, Maher warns, could be one of the most critical we face today, with consequences we can’t afford to ignore.