The climate crisis is now

Plastic Sucks

Plastic sucks, plain and simple. It’s a material that has permeated nearly every aspect of modern life, from the packaging that encases our food to the fibers in our clothes. While its convenience and versatility are undeniable, the darker truth is that plastic, especially petrochemical plastic, is wreaking havoc on our planet. It’s a material born from the fossil fuel industry, and its life cycle— from production to disposal— is a devastating chain of environmental and health impacts.

Carbon Emissions

The story of plastic begins with oil and natural gas, the raw materials for the vast majority of plastics. The extraction and refining processes are energy-intensive, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions. According to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), the production and incineration of plastics in 2019 alone added over 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, equivalent to the emissions from 189 coal power plants. This figure is expected to more than double by 2050 if current trends continue. The carbon footprint of plastic is a ticking time bomb that accelerates climate change and threatens the stability of ecosystems worldwide.

Wildlife Impact

Plastic pollution is a deadly force in the natural world, particularly for marine wildlife. It is estimated that over 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year. This debris entangles, chokes, and poisons marine animals, from tiny plankton to giant whales. Seabirds mistake floating plastics for food, filling their stomachs with indigestible materials that lead to starvation. A study published in the journal Science found that by 2050, nearly every seabird species will be ingesting plastic. The toll on wildlife is not just a matter of individual deaths but a broader threat to biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Microplastics

As plastic waste breaks down, it doesn’t disappear; it merely becomes smaller and more insidious. Microplastics— particles less than 5 millimeters in size— have infiltrated every corner of the globe, from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountain peaks. These tiny plastic particles are now ubiquitous in our water supplies, soil, and even the air we breathe. The environmental impact is profound, as microplastics are ingested by a wide range of organisms, including those at the very base of the food chain. This not only disrupts marine ecosystems but also poses a potential risk to food security and human health.

Human Health

The human body is now a repository for microplastics, with recent studies finding them in human blood, lungs, and even placentas. The implications for human health are still being studied, but the preliminary evidence is alarming. Microplastics can act as vectors for harmful chemicals, including endocrine disruptors like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which can interfere with hormone systems and lead to reproductive issues, metabolic disorders, and even cancer. Moreover, the chronic exposure to microplastics and their associated toxins could have long-term health effects that we are only beginning to understand.

Sources

• Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). (2019). Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet.

• Jambeck, J. R., et al. (2015). "Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean." Science, 347(6223), 768-771.

• Wilcox, C., Van Sebille, E., & Hardesty, B. D. (2015). "Threat of plastic pollution to seabirds is global, pervasive, and increasing." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(38), 11899-11904.

• Wright, S. L., & Kelly, F. J. (2017). "Plastic and Human Health: A Micro Issue?" Environmental Science & Technology, 51(12), 6634-6647.

• Gallo, F., Fossi, C., Weber, R., Santillo, D., Sousa, J., Ingram, I., … & Muncke, J. (2018). "Marine litter plastics and microplastics and their toxic chemicals components: the need for urgent preventive measures." Environmental Sciences Europe, 30(1), 1-14.