UNEP

Explanation of topic and definition of key terms 

 

Plastic is a cheap and incredibly versatile material used for many applications in our lives. However, these qualities have also resulted in plastic becoming a pressing environmental issue. Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of synthetic plastic products in the environment to the point where they create severe problems for the wildlife and their habitats, as well for the human population. 

 

Reasons for Plastic Pollution

 

Production and development of thousands of new plastic products accelerated after World War II; from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015. Plastic’s convenience and popularity among consumers led plastic to be persistent polluters of many environmental niches, from Mount Everest to the bottom of the sea, by the end of the 20th century. 

 

Plastics often contain additives making them stronger, more flexible, and durable. Many of these additives can extend the life of products if they become litter, taking at least 400 years to break down. The conveniences plastics offer, led to a throw-away culture. Single-use plastics account for 40 percent of the plastic produced every year. Many of these products, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Plastic is nonchalantly discarded into water bodies, and thus end up polluting our oceans. An alarming 8 billion tonnes of plastic is discarded into our oceans every year.

 

Significance and impacts of plastic pollution 

 

Whether being mistaken as food by animals, flooding low-lying areas by clogging drainage systems, or causing significant aesthetic blight, plastics have attracted increasing attention as a large scale pollutant. Despite its benefits, pollution occurs due to excessive usage and incorrect disposal of plastic products. Plastic pollution negatively impacts our biodiversity, health, affects climate change and tourism. 

 

Millions of land and sea animals, across nearly 700 species, are affected by plastics every year. The marine ecosystem is more susceptible to plastic pollution as plastic products are usually discarded there. Most plastic related marine life deaths are caused by entanglement, starvation, or the consumption of microplastics. Marine animals often eat microplastics because of their small size. Plastic contains toxic chemicals, which can increase the chance of disease and affect reproduction. They can also block digestive tracts or pierce organs, resulting in death. 

 

Our health is affected indirectly as when plastic affects animals we consume, many harmful toxins already present in their system from consuming plastic enter ours. Toxins in plastic are directly linked to cancers, birth defects, immune system disorders and childhood developmental issues.

 

Plastic is implicated in climate change as almost all plastic is derived from materials made from fossil fuels. The process of extracting, processing and transporting those fuels creates billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases. These greenhouse gases trap heat, enhancing the greenhouse effect, leading to climate change. 

 

Lastly, plastic pollution affects tourism. Each year, plastic is responsible for the deaths of up to one million seabirds, 100,000 sea mammals, turtles and countless fish. With 80 percent of all tourism taking place in coastal areas, plastic pollution would lead to less revenue made by tourism companies as tourists would less likely visit the place. This leads to an economic loss in the tourism industry.

 

Solutions 

 

The ‘3 Rs’ are effective in curbing the impacts of plastic pollution. Recycling plastic products prevents the emissions of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants. It also generates less solid waste and helps reduce the pollution caused by the extraction and processing of virgin materials. Reducing the usage of single-use plastic products curbs the effects of plastic pollution as there would be less demand for plastic products. Likewise, reusing old plastic products would decrease the number of plastic products. Hence, resulting in lower demand. 

 

Public education for businesses would be highly effective to curb plastic pollution. More people and businesses would understand the downsides of single use plastic products, reducing their usage.  This lowers demand for plastic, therefore lowering its production as businesses shift to cope.

 

Upcycling single-use plastics reduces the amount of plastic waste. The plastic would be repurposed into something useful without any consequences on the environment.