Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity, and health professionals worldwide are already responding to the health harms caused by this unfolding crisis.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that to avert catastrophic health impacts and prevent millions of climate change-related deaths, the world must limit temperature rise to 1.5°C. Past emissions have already made a certain level of global temperature rise and other changes to the climate inevitable. Global heating of even 1.5°C is not considered safe, however; every additional tenth of a degree of warming will take a serious toll on people’s lives and health.
While no one is safe from these risks, the people whose health is being harmed first and worst by the climate crisis are the people who contribute least to its causes, and who are least able to protect themselves and their families against it – people in low-income and disadvantaged countries and communities[1]. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities are releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which is causing the planet to warm. One major contributor to climate change is the production and pollution of plastics.
Every year, millions of tons of plastic end up in our oceans, rivers, and lakes. This plastic pollution not only harms wildlife, but it also contributes to climate change. When plastic is exposed to sunlight, it breaks down into smaller pieces called microplastics. Microplastics can be ingested by marine animals, which can then be eaten by humans. Microplastics can also absorb toxins from the environment, which can then be passed up the food chain. In addition, plastic pollution can also contribute to climate change by releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Plastic pollution has become a global concern for ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation. Concentrations of plastics are manifold higher in the terrestrial system than the aquatic one. Micro/nanoplastics (M/NP) can alter soil enzymatic system, soil properties and also affect soil borne microorganisms and earthworms[2].
| Climate change and plastic pollution are two of the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet today. Both are caused by human activity, and both have far-reaching consequences. Climate change is caused by the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which traps heat and causes the planet to warm. Plastic pollution is caused by the production, use, and disposal of plastic products. Plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose, and it can pollute our oceans, waterways, and beaches. Climate change and plastic pollution are interconnected in several ways. First, the production of plastic products releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Second, plastic pollution can contribute to climate change by releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, when it breaks down. Third, plastic pollution can harm marine life, which can disrupt the food chain and lead to changes in the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide[3]. |  |
- Climate change and plastic pollution: A symbiotic threats to Human health
Climate change and plastic pollution are two of the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet today. Both are caused by human activity, and both have far-reaching consequences for human health. Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable[4]. A region might experience lower or higher than average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods, and droughts. Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects in the environment. Plastic pollution can be found in all parts of the environment, including the ocean, land, and air. Plastic pollution can have several negative impacts on human health. One way that climate change and plastic pollution are linked is through the release of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the planet to warm. Plastic pollution can contribute to the release of greenhouse gases when plastic is burned or when it breaks down in the environment. Another way that climate change and plastic pollution are linked is through the impact on human health[5]. Climate change can lead to several health problems, including heat stroke, dehydration, and respiratory problems. Plastic pollution can also lead to several health problems, including cancer, reproductive problems, and developmental disorders. The combination of climate change and plastic pollution poses a serious threat to human health. It is important to take action to address both issues to protect human health.
 | How are climate change and plastic pollution interlinked? The production, conversion and waste management of plastics generate about 4% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Of these, 90% can be attributed to the production and conversion stage of the plastics lifecycle. Most plastics are currently produced with fossil fuels (93%). The amounts made from recycled plastics are 6% and the remainder are biobased plastics. Substituting biobased plastics for fossil-based plastic production would lead to a direct GHG emissions decrease. However, the production of biobased plastics requires additional land leading to GHG emissions related to deforestation. Waste management practices also affect the GHG intensity of plastics via their end-of-life treatment. In 2019, emissions from incineration accounted for 70% of total end-of-life emissions while those from recycling accounted for 22%. Recycling plastics reduces GHG emissions by lowering the demand for primary plastics, which have a higher carbon footprint[6]. |
- Conclusion: Need for an integral approach
To address climate change and plastic pollution, we need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and plastic products. We need to invest in renewable energy sources and sustainable materials. We also need to change our consumption habits and reduce our waste.
An integrated approach is needed to address climate change and plastic pollution. This approach must include a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy, and improving waste management practices. One way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to transition to a clean energy economy. This means investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and making our homes and businesses more energy-efficient. Another way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. This means driving less, flying less, and eating less meat. We can also help to reduce plastic pollution by reducing our use of plastic products. This means bringing our own reusable bags to the grocery store, avoiding single-use plastics, and recycling plastic whenever possible. Finally, we need to improve waste management practices to ensure that plastic does not end up in our oceans or landfills. This means investing in recycling and composting programs and reducing the amount of waste we produce. By taking these steps, we can help to address climate change and plastic pollution and create a more sustainable future for our planet.
The production and pollution of plastics is a major contributor to climate change. However, there are a number of things that can be done to reduce plastic production and pollution, and help mitigate the effects of climate change. By working together, we can create a more sustainable future for our planet.
[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health
[2] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.15074
[3] Global Plastics Outlook: Policy Scenarios to 2060 (OECD, 2022)
[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021005171
[5] https://www.cell.com/iscience/pdf/S2589-0042(23)01726-1.pdf
[6] Ibd