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The visible signs of our single-use plastic addiction can be seen everywhere, from bags found in hedgerows to bottles bobbering in the ocean. Plastic pollution is a serious problem. What is less known is how plastic contributes towards global warming.
From the way plastics effect marine environments to how they are disposed, here’s how they are adding to the climate change problem.
Plastic pollution is on a rise
Plastics are fueling our appetite Growing demand for petrochemical productsThe International Energy Agency states that. Even though we try to curb fossil-fuel useBased on current trends, plastics consumption will continue to rise in areas such as heating and transportation. According to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), plastics will account for 20% of global environmental law’s future trends. Oil consumption to 2050.
Plastic waste also contributes to climate change
Plastic waste is also a problem for the planet. Only 16 percent Recycle plastics — the rest goes to landfill for incineration, or is just dumped.
Much of the plastic that doesn’t make it to the recycling plant ends up in our rivers and ocean. This poses a threat not only to the animals and plants that have become habitats for plastic waste, but also to the climate as plastic slowly breaks down and releases greenhouse gases. Sunlight and heat cause it to release methane and ethylene – and at increasing rate as the Plastic breaks down into ever smaller pieces.
Research has shown that microplastics can affect the ability to marine microorganisms release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. Minimum half Earth’s oxygen comes from the oceanMostly produced by plankton. These tiny organisms also absorb carbon through photosynthesis, making the ocean an important carbon sink. These organisms are less able to withstand microplastics. Capture, grow, and reproduce carbon. These plankton may also accelerate the process by grazing microplastics. Loss of ocean oxygen.
This means that plastic pollution is having a particularly negative impact on the marine environment. A warming ocean that is plastic-choked will cause a negative feedback loop in which animal and plant life are affected, less carbon dioxide is absorbed, and further hinder our ability to control climate change.
Plastic incineration is another problem
Open burning of waste is a common practice in many parts of the globe and is a major cause of air pollution. Burning plastics releases poisonous chemicals that can damage the health of the planet as well as the health of people who are exposed. Black carbon is one such serious pollutant — it has a Global warming potentialIt can be up to 5,000 times more than carbon dioxide.
The CIEL estimates that plastic production and incineration will add 850 million metric tonnes to the world’s total weight by 2019. Atmospheric greenhouse gasses — equivalent to 189 coal-fired power plants. By 2050 this could rise to 2.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide per year — or 615 coal plants’ worth.
A circular economy is key to reducing plastic pollution
Establishing a circular economy is key to solving the problem of plastic. Plastic that can’t be eliminated from the system needs to be reusable, recyclable or compostable. This requires significant investment in collection infrastructure and reprocessing infrastructure.
A circular economy could be more efficient than business-as usual. Volume of plastics entering the oceansAccording to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation it could increase by 80 per cent each year. It could also create 700,000 additional jobs and save $200 billion annually, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
