Plastic is a ubiquitous and necessary material that has found its way into a variety of applications and everyday items. From water bottles and plastic shopping bags to medical equipment and cars, plastic has become an essential part of our lives. Unfortunately, the widely used material is not without its drawbacks, and its ability to cause global warming is a major concern.
Plastic is made from fossil fuels and due to its durability and resistance, is not biodegradable. As opposed to other forms of waste, like food or paper, plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose. This creates significant waste management issues, because plastic can end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans, causing toxic algae blooms, smothering coral reefs, and killing thousands of marine creatures. Additionally, plastic waste on land can clog drainage systems, creating backups and floods.
In addition to its effects on the marine environment, plastic’s impact on global warming is now being widely discussed. While some people argue that plastic alone is not responsible for global warming, it must be noted that it is often a contributor. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, plastic production and manufacturing processes account for between 3 and 4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, many plastics contain the greenhouse gas methane, which is released when plastic is not recycled and ends up in landfills. This release of methane has a direct effect on global mean temperatures by trapping additional heat close to the earth’s surface.
Moreover, while some plastics are biodegradable, other more common forms of plastic such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and PVC are not. A 2018 article by the World Economic Forum states that plastic pollution of the world’s oceans is now reaching such a scale that, by 2050, it could have caused up to 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide gas to be released. This would have a significant impact on the planet, increasing the global mean temperature by 0.5 Celsius.
Finding solutions to the plastic problem is, therefore, essential. Governments, businesses and consumers have a role to play and must work together to reduce plastic consumption and waste. This includes investing in education about the dangers of plastic pollution and developing infrastructure for better recycling. Governments can help by passing laws that restrict the use of single-use plastic, while businesses can pledge to reduce plastic packaging and increase their use of sustainable materials. Consumers, meanwhile, can play their part by bringing their own reusable bags when shopping, avoiding disposable plastic cutlery, and refusing plastic straws.
Plastic has become an integral part of our lives, but its implications for global warming cannot be overlooked. Clearly, this is an issue we cannot ignore any longer and it is our collective responsibility to find ways to reduce plastic consumption and waste, for the sake of our planet’s health.
