From grocery bags to plastic bottles, one of the easiest ways to lessen your carbon footprint is to reduce your plastic use. But before you break out into a cold sweat of panic, know that there are many more benefits to using less plastic than you might think. Here’s how reducing your reliance on plastics can help the environment and even change the climate for the better!
What is plastic pollution?
Most people are aware of the pollution caused by plastic in our oceans, but did you know that plastic pollution is also changing the climate? Here’s how:
Plastic is made from petroleum, a fossil fuel. When plastic is produced, chemicals are released into the atmosphere that contribute to climate change.
When plastic is disposed of in landfills, it doesn’t decompose like other organic waste. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, releasing harmful chemicals into the soil and water.
Animals that ingest plastic can suffer from malnutrition and dehydration. As plastic pollutes the environment, it also threatens the food chain.
So what can be done about plastic pollution? Recycling is one solution, but it’s not enough. We need to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and find alternative materials that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
How does plastic pollution impact climate change?
As the world becomes increasingly industrialized, plastic production has skyrocketed. Plastic is now ubiquitous in our daily lives – we use it to package our food, make clothes, and build homes.
Plastic is made from fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases when they’re extracted and processed. And once the plastic is produced, it can last for centuries in the environment, leaching harmful chemicals into the soil and water.
This pollution has a direct impact on climate change. And as the oceans warm, they release even more greenhouse gases into the air, amplifying the effects of climate change.
But there’s another way that plastic contributes to climate change: by polluting the oceans. Plastic waste litters beaches and floats in huge trash gyres, where it’s eaten by marine animals who mistake it for food. These animals often die from starvation or choking, and their carcasses sink to the bottom of the ocean, taking the plastic with them.
As this plastic decomposes, it releases methane and carbon dioxide – two more greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. So
How does climate change impact the ocean?
It’s no secret that climate change is affecting our planet in a big way. But what many people don’t realize is that it’s also impacting our oceans in a very significant way. As the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, the oceans are absorbing more and more heat. This is causing the water to expand and leading to rising sea levels. Additionally, warmer ocean temperatures are causing more extreme weather events like hurricanes and typhoons.
But perhaps the most insidious impact of climate change on the ocean is the increase in plastic pollution. As the world’s population continues to grow, so does our consumption of plastic. And all that plastic ends up in the ocean where it does serious damage to marine life. According to a report from the World Economic Forum, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
This is a huge problem because plastic doesn’t just sit idly in the water; it actually breaks down into small pieces that are ingested by marine life. This can cause serious health problems for the animals, and can even lead to their death. What’s more, this plastic eventually makes its way back to us when we eat seafood that has
Solutions to this problem
We’ve all heard about the devastating effects of plastic pollution on the environment. But did you know that it’s also changing the climate?
Here’s how: Plastic is made from fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases when burned. And as more and more plastic is produced (it’s expected to quadruple by 2050), there will be more greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
But it doesn’t stop there. Plastic pollutes the oceans, which absorb carbon dioxide and help regulate the Earth’s temperature. When plastic pollutes the oceans, it affects their ability to do this.
So what can be done about this growing problem?
For starters, we can reduce our use of plastic. This means using reusable bags at the grocery store, carrying a reusable water bottle, and avoiding single-use plastics whenever possible.
We can also support companies that are working to reduce their plastic footprint. Look for companies that use recycled materials, or that offer products in recyclable packaging.
And finally, we can speak up! Let your representatives know that you care about this issue and you want them to take action. The more we raise our voices
Conclusion
It’s time to face the facts: plastic pollution is changing the climate. With over 8 million metric tons of plastic dumped into our oceans every year, it’s no wonder that marine life is struggling to adapt. And as the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide, it becomes more acidic – a process that scientists believe is exacerbated by plastic pollution. What can we do to stop this cycle? For starters, we can reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and support businesses that are working to find sustainable alternatives. We can also vote with our wallets and choose to purchase products that are packaged in eco-friendly materials. Every little bit helps!