Sofia Martinez
Plastic is a major contributor to climate change. It is derived from fossil fuels, and its production requires the burning of these fuels, leading to increased carbon pollution in our atmosphere. The refinement of plastics alone emits an additional 184 to 213 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually. Landfills, where single-use plastics often end up, account for over 15% of methane emissions. Beyond these direct emissions, plastic waste in the environment, including the ocean, harms marine life and can persist for centuries, breaking down into microplastics that end up in our bodies and the air we breathe. These microplastics have been found to affect cloud formation, potentially impacting temperature, rainfall, and climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic decomposition time | Over 1,000 years |
| Plastic waste in the environment | 22% of all plastic waste |
| Percentage of plastic waste recycled | Less than 10% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is single-use | 66% |
| Amount of plastic produced annually | Over 300 million tons |
| Percentage of plastic used for packaging | 40% |
| Carbon dioxide emissions from plastic production in 2015 | 1.96 Gt of CO2e |
| Cost of carbon dioxide emissions from plastic production in 2015 | $341 billion |
| Percentage of methane emissions from landfills | Over 15% |
| Estimated percentage of GHG emissions from plastics by 2050 | 13% |
| Carbon dioxide emissions from extracting and transporting natural gas for plastics in the US | 12.5-13.5 million metric tons |
| Carbon dioxide emissions from clearing land for pipelines in the US | 1.686 billion metric tons |
| Carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing ethylene in 2015 | 184.3-213 million metric tons |
| Projected increase in carbon dioxide emissions from ethylene production between 2015 and 2030 | 34% |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic refining and manufacturing emit greenhouse gases
- Plastic waste is a pollutant in the ocean, harming marine life
- Microplastics are in the air we breathe and can travel thousands of miles
- Plastic is derived from fossil fuels, contributing to carbon pollution
- Plastic does not decompose and remains in the environment for centuries
Plastic refining and manufacturing emit greenhouse gases
Secondly, the refining and manufacture of plastics emit greenhouse gases. The CIEL report estimates that 12.5 to 13.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent are emitted per year while extracting and transporting natural gas to create feedstocks for plastics in the United States. In 2015, emissions from manufacturing ethylene, the building block for polyethylene plastics, were 184.3 to 213 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Globally, carbon dioxide emissions from ethylene production are projected to expand by 34% between 2015 and 2030. The creation of monomers is the source of about 26% of GHG emissions, refining hydrocarbons and producing other plastic ingredients account for 29%, and pulling feedstock oil and gas from the ground produces about 20% of the GHG emissions from plastic manufacturing.
Thirdly, managing plastic waste emits greenhouse gases. Landfills, where single-use plastics are sent, account for more than 15% of methane emissions. As plastics decay, they emit methane and ethylene, two powerful greenhouse gases, and the rate of emission increases over time. Methane is a greenhouse gas 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and 86 times more over a 20-year horizon.
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Plastic waste is a pollutant in the ocean, harming marine life
Plastic waste is an enduring pollutant that severely harms marine life. It is a pressing global issue, with plastic debris pervading every corner of the planet, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. The oceans, in particular, bear the brunt of this pollution, with plastic waste infiltrating all marine ecosystems, from the North Atlantic to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and affecting a wide range of marine organisms, from small finches to large whales.
The impact of plastic waste on marine life is twofold: ingestion and entanglement. Marine animals, from seabirds to sea turtles, seals, and whales, mistake plastic for food and consume it. This ingestion leads to intestinal injuries, starvation, and even death. For example, research shows that sea turtles that ingest just 14 pieces of plastic have an increased risk of dying. Additionally, plastic waste disrupts the reproduction rates of sea turtles by altering the temperature of the sand where their eggs incubate.
Entanglement in plastic debris has also led to injuries and deaths among marine animals. Endangered species, such as the Hawaiian monk seal and the Steller sea lion, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in packing bands and ghost nets. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the individual animals that directly consume or become entangled in plastic. Plastic contamination moves up the food chain, affecting larger fish, marine mammals, and even humans who consume seafood.
The sources of plastic waste in the ocean are diverse and widespread. It comes from single-use plastic products, such as water bottles, grocery bags, and packaging, which account for a significant portion of the total plastic waste generated. Improper waste management in many countries exacerbates the problem, with plastic waste leaking into the ocean from thousands of sources daily. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located halfway between Hawaii and California, is a stark example of the accumulation of plastic pollution, containing 180 times more plastic than biomass.
The persistence of plastic pollution in the ocean is due to its durability and resistance to decomposition. Plastic can take over 1,000 years to decompose, and every bit of plastic ever created still exists in some form. This longevity has dire consequences for marine life and ecosystems, as plastic accumulates and persists in the environment, continuously endangering marine organisms.
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Microplastics are in the air we breathe and can travel thousands of miles
Plastic waste is a significant contributor to climate change and pollution. It is derived from fossil fuels, including natural gas and crude oil, and emits greenhouse gases at every stage of its life cycle. The refinement of plastics alone emits an additional 184 to 213 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually.
Microplastics, tiny fragments or fibres shed during the degradation of larger pieces of plastic, are a particularly concerning form of plastic waste. They are found in the most remote places on land and in the ocean, as well as in our food, and, as recent studies have confirmed, in the air we breathe.
The highest reported concentrations of airborne microplastics were measured at urban sampling sites in London and Beijing, with thousands of fragments per cubic metre of air. An aircraft-based study found microplastics at altitudes of up to 3.5 kilometres. Their presence in the atmosphere raises questions about their potential impact on atmospheric chemistry and cloud formation.
The unique shapes of microplastic particles enable them to travel vast distances. A recent study by the University of Vienna found that non-spherical microplastics, such as fibres, can reach the most remote regions of the Earth, while spherical particles of the same mass settle closer to their plastic source regions. This means that microplastics can affect locations and populations far from the sources of plastic pollution, making them a grave public health issue.
While the current concentration of microplastics in the atmosphere is low, and their influence on the global climate is currently minor, this is expected to change in the future. Without serious efforts to address microplastic pollution, the abundance of airborne microplastics is likely to increase, along with their influence on the climate.
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Plastic is derived from fossil fuels, contributing to carbon pollution
Plastic is derived from fossil fuels, including natural gas, crude oil, and coal. Fossil fuels are composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen, and other minerals. The generally accepted theory is that these hydrocarbons are formed from the remains of tiny plants and animals called planktons that existed during the Jurassic era. Over millions of years, these dead organisms decomposed without oxygen, transforming into the oil and gas that we extract and refine today.
The production of plastic is closely tied to the fossil fuel industry. The refinement of plastics emits an estimated 184 to 213 million metric tons of greenhouse gases each year. This process releases carbon emissions and contributes to climate change. In addition, the extraction and transportation of natural gas feedstocks for plastics also contribute significantly to carbon dioxide emissions. Land clearance for oil pipelines has resulted in the release of 1.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to the CIEL report.
Furthermore, the presence of plastic waste in the environment, particularly in oceans, has indirect effects on carbon pollution. The ocean has historically sequestered a significant portion of carbon dioxide emissions, but evidence suggests that plankton are ingesting increasing amounts of microplastics, which hinder their growth and photosynthesis abilities. As a result, the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide may be diminished as more microplastics are produced.
The high durability of plastic materials also contributes to their environmental impact. Plastic does not readily decompose, with discarded plastic items such as bottles, straws, and containers remaining intact for centuries. This persistence in the environment contributes to the accumulation of waste and the release of harmful chemicals. Single-use plastics are a significant contributor to this issue, as they are designed for convenience and quick disposal, leading to a throw-away culture.
To address these issues, it is essential to reduce plastic consumption, support legislation for plastic reduction, and transition to renewable energy sources. Individual actions, such as using reusable items, avoiding single-use plastics, and participating in cleanup efforts, can collectively make a significant difference in reducing plastic pollution and its associated carbon emissions.
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Plastic does not decompose and remains in the environment for centuries
Plastic is designed to be durable, which is a desirable quality for many products. However, this durability has a significant downside: plastic does not decompose and remains in the environment for centuries. Plastic has only been in circulation since 1907, but in the last 60–70 years, plastic waste has accumulated in enormous quantities.
The United Nations (UN) reports that plastic waste can be found everywhere, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench, and in almost every country in the world. It is estimated that only 9–12% of all plastic waste has been recycled, with the remainder disposed of in landfills or released into the environment. The refinement of plastics emits an additional 184 to 213 million metric tons of greenhouse gases each year, and landfills, where single-use plastics often end up, account for more than 15% of methane emissions.
The persistence of plastic in the environment is due to its chemical composition. Plastic is derived from petroleum, which is processed from crude oil. Its carbon bonds are different from the chemical bonds found in nature, making it challenging and energy-intensive to break down. The degradation process can be accelerated by sunlight exposure, a process called photodegradation, but even with this, plastic can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, depending on its material and structure.
The impact of plastic's longevity is felt across the globe. Plastic waste in the ocean, for example, has been ingested by marine wildlife such as manta rays and sea turtles, exposing them to unknown long-term risks. Plastic pollution also affects vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries that receive plastic waste from developed nations for processing. These communities can become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of plastic, leading to their environments becoming inundated with trash.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic affects the atmosphere by contributing to greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of its life cycle, from production to disposal. The refinement of plastics emits an additional 184 to 213 million metric tons of greenhouse gases each year.
Sources of plastic in the atmosphere include roadways, agricultural dust, and oceans. On roadways, tires and brakes hurl microplastics into the air. In agriculture, plastic is used on farm fields, and plastic clothing ends up in the wastewater from washing machines, which eventually becomes fertilizer for farms. In the oceans, large pieces of plastic degrade into microplastics, which are then whipped into the air by bursting air bubbles and waves.
Plastic in the atmosphere can affect cloud formation, potentially impacting temperature, rainfall, and climate change. Researchers have found that microplastics reduce the growth of microalgae and the efficiency of photosynthesis, which could degrade plankton's ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Plastic can take over 1,000 years to decompose, and it never fully disappears. Instead, plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which can end up in the air, water, and our bodies.
To reduce the impact of plastic on the atmosphere, individuals can reduce their plastic consumption, reuse and recycle plastic materials, and support companies and organizations committed to reducing plastic use. Policy changes that reduce plastic use and address plastic pollution are also necessary.
