Plastic's Climate Impact: Understanding The Devastating Contribution

Plastic is a major contributor to climate change. The extraction and transport of fossil fuels, as well as the manufacturing and disposal of plastics, all create carbon emissions that are responsible for global warming. The rise in plastic pollution is extremely harmful to the planet's biodiversity and is causing massive global impacts. Plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries, damaging soil, poisoning groundwater and harming living creatures.

Plastic waste in oceans and rivers

The rise in plastic pollution is extremely harmful to the planet's biodiversity and contributes to climate change. The extraction and transport of fossil fuels, as well as the manufacturing and disposal of plastics, create carbon emissions responsible for global warming. 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.

The global annual production of plastic has increased exponentially over the past 65 years, growing from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 460 million metric tons in 2019. Current levels of production are already unsustainable and causing massive global impacts. The OECD estimates that global plastic use will triple by 2060.

Plastic in the oceans may interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, creating another pathway through which plastic pollution contributes to accelerating climate change. Additionally, microplastics end up in our bodies through food, water, and packaging. They are found in our lungs, livers, spleens, and kidneys.

To limit climate change, the world needs to transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources.

Plastic's impact on biodiversity

Plastic waste is extremely harmful to the planet's biodiversity. Plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries, with around 22% of all plastic waste ending up in the environment, mostly in the ocean, where it harms marine life. Microplastics also end up in our bodies through food, water and packaging.

The extraction and transport of fossil fuels, as well as the manufacturing and disposal of plastics, create carbon emissions that are responsible for global warming. The rise in plastic pollution is undermining efforts to reduce carbon pollution and prevent a climate catastrophe. The fossil fuel industry is relying on an increase in plastic use as the world moves away from oil and gas due to climate change concerns.

Two-thirds of all plastic waste comes from single-use and short-lived plastic products, and of the seven billion tonnes of plastic waste generated globally, less than 10% has been recycled. The production of plastic is already unsustainable, yet the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates global plastic use will triple by 2060.

Plastic in the oceans may interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, creating another pathway through which plastic pollution contributes to accelerating climate change.

Plastic's contribution to global warming

Plastic contributes to global warming in several ways. Firstly, the extraction and transport of fossil fuels used to create plastic create carbon emissions. The manufacturing and disposal of plastics also create carbon emissions. In addition, plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries, damaging soil, poisoning groundwater and harming living creatures.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), about 22% of all plastic waste ends up in the environment, with much of it in the ocean, harming marine life. Two-thirds of all plastic waste comes from single-use and short-lived plastic products. Of the total seven billion tonnes of plastic waste generated globally to date, less than 10% has been recycled.

The rise in plastic pollution is not only extremely harmful to the planet’s biodiversity but also contributes to climate change. Some 98% of single-use plastic is made of petrochemicals – components derived from oil and gas. As the world moves towards renewable energy and away from oil and gas, the fossil fuel industry is counting on a dramatic increase in plastic use.

Estimates indicate that greenhouse gas emissions from plastics could reach about 13% of the entire remaining carbon budget by 2050. Without a plastic cap, OECD projects GHG emissions from plastic to increase to 4.3 Gt CO2e. Plastic in the oceans may also interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, thus creating another pathway through which plastic pollution contributes to accelerate climate change.

Plastic's effect on human health

Plastic is a versatile material with many benefits, but it also has a significant impact on human health. This is due to the toxic chemicals used in plastic production and the microplastics that can pollute our food and water supply.

There are two main ways humans can be exposed to plastic. Firstly, we may accidentally ingest plastic particles through our food and water. Secondly, plastic particles can also be absorbed through our skin, especially when we come into contact with contaminated water or soil.

According to the National Institutes of Health, some plastics contain harmful chemicals that are known to cause endocrine disruptors. These chemicals can interfere with the body's hormonal system and lead to a variety of health problems. In addition, some of the chemicals in plastic products, such as bisphenol A (BPA), may increase the risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Not all plastics are created equal when it comes to their impact on human health. Some plastics, labelled with recycling codes 2, 4, and 5, are considered safer options because they are less likely to leach harmful chemicals into our food and beverages. On the other hand, plastics labelled with recycling codes 3, 6, and 7 should be used with caution because they are more likely to contain harmful chemicals that can be released into the environment during production, use, and disposal.

There is already a considerable and robust body of evidence on the adverse health impacts of plastic-associated chemicals, including those in micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). As a result, there is an urgent public health need to develop and implement comprehensive global measures to protect public and planetary health from plastics.

Plastic's role in oil demand

Plastic contributes to climate change in several ways. Firstly, the extraction and transport of fossil fuels used to make plastic create carbon emissions. Secondly, the manufacturing and disposal of plastics also create carbon emissions. Thirdly, plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries, harming marine life and interfering with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide. Finally, microplastics end up in our bodies through food, water and packaging.

The plastic industry is largely fuelled by natural gas and other petrochemicals derived from oil and gas. In the United States, an estimated 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. The rapid global growth of the plastic industry undermines efforts to reduce carbon pollution and prevent a climate catastrophe.

The fossil fuel industry is counting on a dramatic increase in plastic use as the world moves towards renewable energy and away from oil and gas due to mounting climate change concerns. The global annual production of plastic 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 that global plastic use will triple by 2060.

To limit climate change, the world needs to transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. Oil is already being replaced by renewable energy in the power sector, and its use in road transport and electricity generation is dropping significantly. However, the rise in plastic pollution, largely made from petrochemicals, contributes to climate change and harms the planet's biodiversity.

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