Producing And Consuming Less Plastic

This is part of an ongoing series inspired by “New Year’s Resolutions” that consider what actions we need to take to maintain the habitability of our planet, and how the ocean & climate intersect when considering that future.

The previous article in this series, about reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, is available here.

Plastic is virtually unavoidable these days, and yet it has been around for little more than a century. First introduced in 1907, mass plastic production ramped up in the 1950s and has continued to crescendo into the present day (381 billion tonnes of plastic ere produced in 2015 alone). Today, a combination of macro- and micro-plastics are embedded in our surroundings, to the point that we are consuming thousands of microplastic particles on an annual basis through the feed we eat. And, of course, it is a major source of pollution that is on track to double by the end of the decade.

The connection between plastics and climate change is inescapable; plastics are comprised of hydrocarbons the come from fossil fuels. Thus, the (increasing rate of) plastic production is directly contributing to climate impacts from sea level rise to more extreme weather events. Of course, the impermanence of their use is in direct contrast to their longevity; plastics are not biodegradable and fragment endlessly instead. As a result, plastics have permeated the ocean through different littering pathways. They are consumed by scallops, ensnare sea turtles, alter seascapes, and are forming new crusts on coastlines. And now, tens of millions of pounds of pandemic-related plastic are also infiltrating the oceans.

It is important to note that plastic-based products serve an important role in our society. For example, pliable single-use straws help disabled people with mobility/strength issues. They also have potential to create more affordable housing options via 3D printing. But, their utility in some spaces does not excuse their ubiquity across all places.