Chloe Zhang
Plastic is a synthetic material that has revolutionised society, making life easier and safer. However, it has also left harmful imprints on the environment and human health. Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, and the fossil fuel and plastic industries are deeply intertwined. The production of plastics is a major user of fossil fuels, with 8% of world oil production going towards manufacturing plastics. As a result, plastics contribute to climate change throughout their life cycle, from fossil fuel extraction to plastic disposal. The world's top 7 plastic-producing companies by volume are all fossil fuel companies, and there is a financial incentive to continue producing plastics. This has led to a vicious cycle of plastic production and consumption, driving companies to produce and consumers to demand ever-greater volumes of plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic made from fossil fuels | 98-99% |
| Fossil fuel industry's incentive to produce plastics | Fossil-free bio-based plastics are 1.5 times more expensive to produce than fossil-based plastics |
| Fossil fuel by-products | Microplastics, petrochemical additives |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on human health | Linked to obesity, thyroid disorders, infertility, musculoskeletal deformities, skin irritation, fetal growth failure |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | Polluting ecosystems, creating risks for human and animal health, and destabilizing the climate |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | Polluting water and air |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | Landfill waste, contaminating groundwater |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | Plastic waste accounts for approximately 10% of generated waste |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | Plastic waste tripled between 1970 and 2000 |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | Over 50% of all plastics ever produced were made after 2000 |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | 390 million tons of plastic were produced in 2021 alone |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | Global plastic use will triple by 2060 |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | Global plastic production could account for 21-31% of the global carbon emission budget by 2050 |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | Emits 4 times more greenhouse gases than the airline industry |
| Fossil fuel by-products' impact on the environment | 8% of world oil production goes to manufacturing plastics |
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What You'll Learn
- Fossil fuel by-products are dangerous to human health
- The plastic crisis has led to global treaty negotiations
- Fossil fuel companies have a financial incentive to produce plastics
- The US Military's experimentation with plastic during World War II
- The environmental impact of plastic production and pollution
Fossil fuel by-products are dangerous to human health
Fossil fuels have been the primary energy source for over a century, powering our vehicles, businesses, and homes. However, the burning of these fuels has had a detrimental impact on the environment and human health. The combustion of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change and global warming. Beyond climate change, the by-products of fossil fuel combustion pose a significant threat to human health, especially to children.
Fossil fuel combustion emits a range of hazardous air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and mercury. These pollutants have been linked to various health issues, such as asthma, respiratory illnesses, and even cancer. They also contribute to global warming, which leads to more frequent and severe extreme weather events, such as wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding. These events have direct and indirect impacts on human health and well-being.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of fossil fuel by-products due to their developing bodies and higher exposure to air and food pollutants. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that children under five bear more than 40% of the burden of environmentally related diseases and over 88% of the burden of climate change. Fossil fuel combustion impacts their cognitive and behavioral development, respiratory health, and increases the risk of chronic diseases, which can affect their ability to learn and contribute to society.
Additionally, the extraction and transportation of fossil fuels can lead to oil spills and water pollution. Oil spills, such as the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill, have devastating consequences for marine life and ecosystems, as well as human communities. Water pollution from fracking fluids and toxic wastewater also poses a significant risk to human health, as contaminants can find their way into groundwater and drinking water sources.
The production and use of plastics, which are predominantly made from fossil fuels, further contribute to environmental and health issues. The plastic production industry is a significant driver of climate change, emitting large quantities of greenhouse gases. The entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal, has negative consequences for ecosystems and human health.
In conclusion, the by-products and externalities of fossil fuel combustion, including air and water pollution, climate change, and plastic pollution, pose significant dangers to human health, especially to children and vulnerable communities. Addressing these issues requires a transition to cleaner energy sources, the reduction of plastic production and pollution, and the implementation of comprehensive policies to protect public health and the environment.
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The plastic crisis has led to global treaty negotiations
Plastic is a derivative of fossil fuels, with over 99% of plastic made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. The plastic crisis has become so acute that nations worldwide agreed in 2022 to begin negotiations on a global plastics treaty to address plastic pollution. The treaty negotiation process is an unprecedented opportunity to address the threats posed by plastic.
In March 2022, the UN Environmental Assembly convened in Nairobi, Kenya, to debate the global plastic crisis. 175 nations voted to adopt a global treaty for plastic pollution, agreeing on an accelerated timeline for implementation by 2025. The unique potential of a global, United Nations-led treaty is to hold all countries to a high common standard on plastic consumption and create a clear path toward a future free from plastic pollution.
The fourth intergovernmental negotiation meeting, INC-4, for the treaty took place in Ottawa, Canada, in April 2024. The meeting saw the development of rules to prohibit problematic and avoidable plastic products, but left open whether the treaty would include measures to reduce production and consumption. The third negotiation meeting, INC-3, was held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2023, with delegates spending most of the time drafting additional text for the 'zero draft'. The first and second intergovernmental negotiation meetings, INC-1 and INC-2, were held in March 2022 and June 2023, respectively, with the latter taking place in Paris, France.
Despite the urgency and participation of over 170 nations in the fifth round of negotiations in Busan, South Korea, deep divides over critical issues such as production limits and hazardous chemicals prevented an agreement. A significant divide emerged between the High Ambition Coalition (HAC), which seeks a comprehensive treaty that includes commitments to reduce plastic production, and a like-minded group led by oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia and Russia, which opposed any language imposing restrictions.
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Fossil fuel companies have a financial incentive to produce plastics
The world is moving towards renewable energy sources, and the fossil fuel industry is facing a future where demand for their product will decrease. As a result, fossil fuel companies have a financial incentive to produce plastics, which are made from fossil fuels.
Fossil fuel companies are investing billions in expanding plastic production. The shale gas boom in the United States is fuelling a massive build-out of plastic infrastructure, and similar trends are seen worldwide. This wave of investment increases pollution risks to communities throughout the plastic supply chain and undermines efforts to combat the growing plastic crisis.
The production of plastics is a major user of fossil fuels, with 8% of world oil production going towards manufacturing plastics. As the world moves away from fossil fuels for energy, the fossil fuel industry will continue to lean on the development of petrochemicals and fossil hydrocarbons for plastic manufacturing. Currently, plastic manufacturing accounts for 12% of global oil consumption, and this figure is likely to increase as plastic consumption rises.
The connection between the fossil fuel and plastic industries is clear. Fossil fuel companies have a financial incentive to continue producing plastics, as it provides an alternative market for their product. This incentive will only increase as demand for fossil fuels for energy decreases. As such, tackling the environmental impact of plastics means addressing the sustainability of the fossil fuel industry as a whole.
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The US Military's experimentation with plastic during World War II
Before World War II, the only plastics in wide use were Bakelite and celluloid. However, the war created a demand for materials that could be easily produced and transported, and plastic fit the bill perfectly. The US government invested heavily in the plastic industry, providing over a billion dollars to private companies to expand plastic manufacturing and refining capabilities.
During the war, plastics such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and nylon became essential. Nylon stockings, for example, were repurposed to make rope and parachutes, while PVC was used for everything from tent canvas and uniform coatings to hand grenades and tank components. Expanded polystyrene was also used for thermal insulation and shock absorption in vehicles.
The military's reliance on plastic during World War II accelerated the development of new polymers and manufacturing techniques, many of which are still used today. After the war, there was a surplus of plastic and a booming economy, so manufacturers worked hard to promote plastic goods to consumers. Through public relations campaigns and partnerships with women's magazines, they highlighted the benefits of plastic home goods, leading to an increase in consumer demand.
By the 1960s and 1970s, plastic had become ubiquitous in everyday life. Injection molding and thermoforming technologies made it possible to produce plastic goods quickly and affordably, making luxury items accessible to a wider range of people. Single-use plastics, in particular, became incredibly popular, with shampoo bottles, soda bottles, and food packaging all making the switch from glass or paper to plastic.
Today, the impact of plastic on the environment is well-known, with plastic production contributing significantly to climate change and pollution. However, it is important to recognize that the widespread use of plastic can be traced back to the US Military's experimentation and adoption of this material during World War II.
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The environmental impact of plastic production and pollution
Plastic is everywhere, from food packaging to healthcare, construction materials, furniture, and textiles. However, it is also extremely harmful to the environment, contributing to climate change, air emissions, and pollution of the seas and land.
Plastic Production
Plastic is a major driver of climate change. The production of plastic is one of the most energy-intensive manufacturing processes in the world, and the material is made from fossil fuels such as crude oil. A 2021 analysis by Beyond Plastics found that the US plastics industry will be a bigger contributor to climate change than coal-fired power in the nation by 2030. Global plastic production has increased exponentially over the past 65 years, growing from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 460 million metric tons in 2019. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates global plastic use will triple by 2060.
The fossil fuel industry is planning to increase plastic production by 40% over the next decade, taking advantage of an oversupply of fracked gas. As a result, petrochemical plants that transform fossil fuels into plastic are popping up across the globe, spewing air and water pollution into neighborhoods. These plants are often located in poor neighborhoods and communities of color, causing health problems in neighboring communities, including asthma, lung cancer, brain and organ damage, vomiting, diarrhea, and cardiovascular diseases.
Plastic Pollution
Once in the environment, plastic pollution can take between 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. It chokes marine wildlife, damages soil, and poisons groundwater, and can cause serious health impacts. Microplastics, or plastic particles ranging in size from five millimeters to one nanometer, have been found in every ecosystem on the planet, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. They have also been found in human livers, kidneys, and placentas, and the carcinogenic chemicals found in plastic products can leach into tap water, potentially causing developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.
The European Environment Agency's Zero Pollution Action Plan includes, as one of its main targets, reducing plastic litter at sea by 50% and microplastics released into the environment by 30%. In 2022, UN Member States agreed on a resolution to end plastic pollution, and an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee is developing a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels.
Greenhouse gas emissions are associated with everything from fossil fuel extraction, to plastic manufacturing, to the disposal of plastic waste.
Microplastics have been linked to a variety of health issues such as obesity, thyroid disorders, infertility, and more.
Plastic pollution is one of the most ubiquitous and long-lasting recent changes to the surface of our planet. It is polluting our air and water, and contaminating our groundwater.
There are many ways to produce plastic without the use of fossil fuels. For example, plastic can be made from methanol, which can be an important component in the production of plastics, synthetic fibres, fibres for clothing, paints, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals.
