SilverSurfer: Having work the Texas Off Shore Oil Rig's for years I know both problems. I have seen what mankind does to our "Ocean". IMO both problems are man's on doing. IMO "accumulation of plastic stuff in our water" has a lot to do with "climate change". I think they should put all the old Whaling Ships to work in some way of sucking up all the "plastic stuff" and refine it in the holes of the ships for other use.
"we do all the work we pay all the taxes" the 1% banks offshore.