The "Environmental Crisis" in the Oceans (Plastic Pollution) (Episode: "Barting Over", 2004)

The Simpsons has earned quite the reputation for seemingly predicting the future. It’s actually a bit of a meme at this point, with fans pointing out how many things in the real world appear to have been "predicted" by the show, sometimes years in advance. While some of these predictions are purely coincidental or the result of broad satire, others do seem oddly prescient.

The "Environmental Crisis" in the Oceans (Plastic Pollution) (Episode: "Barting Over", 2004)

• What happened: The episode humorously addresses the concept of pollution and the environmental disaster that could result from a plastic waste crisis.
• Reality: In the 2010s, plastic pollution in the oceans became a major environmental issue. Activists, scientists, and governments started pushing for solutions to combat the growing crisis, including banning plastic straws, reducing single-use plastics, and organizing clean-up efforts.