Meghan Hodges
Ocean pollution and climate change are fundamentally linked. Plastic waste in the ocean breaks down into microplastics, which are ingested by marine organisms, affecting their growth, reproduction, and ability to capture carbon. This, in turn, impacts the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, accelerating climate change. Additionally, the production, use, and disposal of plastic create significant greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming. The plastic industry's rapid growth, fueled by natural gas and petrochemicals, undermines efforts to reduce carbon pollution. Addressing ocean pollution, transitioning to a circular economy, and reducing single-use plastics are crucial steps towards mitigating climate change and protecting marine ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ocean pollution | Marine litter, oil spills, sewage, industrial and agricultural runoff, garbage dumping, chemical spills, plastic waste |
| Climate change | Rise in global temperature, melting glaciers, frequent natural disasters, coastal erosion, frequent heat waves |
| Link between ocean pollution and climate change | Plastic in the ocean interferes with its ability to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, microplastics affect marine life and their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen |
| Plastic pollution | 99% of plastics are made from fossil feedstocks, the plastic industry is largely fuelled by natural gas, plastic waste generates GHG emissions, plastic breaks down into microplastics |
What You'll Learn
Plastic production and disposal release greenhouse gases
Plastics refining and manufacturing are also significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The production of ethylene, a building block for polyethylene plastics, emitted 184.3 to 213 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2015. This is comparable to the emissions of about 45 million passenger vehicles in a year. Additionally, the incineration of plastic waste releases substantial GHG emissions into the atmosphere, along with toxic pollutants.
When plastics are not recycled or properly disposed of, they break down slowly in the environment, releasing methane and ethylene due to exposure to sunlight and heat. Low-density polyethylene, a common type of plastic found in the ocean, is a significant emitter of these gases. Marine plastic pollution further breaks down into microplastics, which affect the ability of marine microorganisms like plankton to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Plankton sequesters 30-50% of carbon dioxide emissions from human activities, but microplastics ingestion impairs their ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The growing demand for plastic contributes to the increase in fossil fuel consumption. The current trajectory suggests that if policies continue to encourage plastic production, the sector's fossil fuel usage will rise. The International Energy Agency predicts that consumption of plastics will increase, and by 2050, plastics could account for 20% of oil consumption. This demand for petrochemical products threatens the global community's ability to keep the temperature rise below 1.5°C.
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Plastic reduces the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide
The ocean is the world's greatest ally in the fight against climate change. It is the largest carbon sink, absorbing 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions and capturing 90% of the excess heat generated by these emissions. The ocean also generates 50% of the oxygen we need, produced mostly by plankton and algae.
However, the presence of plastic in the ocean negatively impacts its ability to act as a carbon sink. The staggering amounts of plastic waste entering our oceans every minute are having a detrimental effect on the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Plastic waste in the ocean is not just an eyesore or a danger to marine life; it also affects the ocean's ability to capture and store carbon.
Plankton and algae play a vital role in capturing carbon through photosynthesis and releasing oxygen. However, when they ingest microplastics, their ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere decreases. Research suggests that microplastics affect the growth and reproduction of these organisms, further accelerating the loss of oxygen in the ocean.
In addition, bottom-trawling, a common fishing practice, uses huge nets to sweep the ocean floor, disturbing the sediment and releasing stored carbon. It also destroys vegetation, such as algae, that captures and stores carbon. The combination of plastic pollution and destructive fishing practices is a significant stress factor on the ocean's ability to act as a carbon sink and mitigate climate change.
The impact of plastic on the ocean's carbon absorption capacity is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. Reducing unnecessary single-use plastic, restricting plastic to essential applications, and implementing sustainable alternatives are crucial steps in mitigating the effects of plastic pollution on the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
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Plastic negatively affects marine life
Marine life is severely affected by plastic pollution in the ocean. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. The impact of plastic on marine species varies, from entanglement and injury to ingestion and toxic contamination. The size of the plastic is a critical factor, affecting different species in different ways and on different scales.
Large plastic items, such as discarded fishing nets, can trap and entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. These nets can also smother and damage coral reefs, hindering their healthy growth. Small plastic fragments can float on the water surface, deceiving seabirds and other marine species into consuming them, resulting in suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination.
The ingestion of plastic by marine life is a significant concern. Sea turtles, for example, often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their natural prey. When ingested, plastic can create a false sense of fullness, leading to starvation. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and a recent study found that ingesting just 14 pieces of plastic significantly increases their risk of death.
Additionally, plastic waste can encourage the growth of pathogens in the ocean. Corals that come into contact with plastic have an 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to only a 4% likelihood for corals that are plastic-free. This threat extends to marine mammals as well. In 2019, a whale was found washed up with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach, primarily consisting of plastic bags.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is not limited to direct entanglement or ingestion. Plastic waste can break down into microplastics, which are invisible to the naked eye. These microplastics can be easily consumed by marine organisms and have the ability to adsorb toxins, transferring them to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. This toxic contamination can have detrimental effects on the health and survival of marine species.
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Plastic waste is often mismanaged
Wealthy, industrialized economies generate the highest amount of plastic waste per capita, with values exceeding 100 kilograms per year per inhabitant. However, in populous countries like China and India, lower per capita plastic use, combined with high population density, can still result in significant plastic waste volumes. In developing economies with high population densities, inappropriate waste management infrastructures result in large volumes of plastic waste leaking into the environment.
Currently, the global geography of mismanaged plastic waste generation is disproportionately higher in Asia and Africa. This is due to factors such as economic growth, population density, and inadequate waste management infrastructures. For example, in South Asia, open burning is a common waste treatment practice, leading to the production of black carbon, a significant air pollutant responsible for the visible smog in cities like New Delhi.
To address this issue, it is crucial to improve waste management strategies, especially in poorer countries, as most ocean plastics originate from these regions. Implementing the AIR (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign) circular economy principles in industries using plastics can reduce emissions. Additionally, innovations like using spider silk film and seaweed instead of plastic in single-use sachets can help reduce plastic waste.
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Oil spills and other sea pollution have serious consequences
Oil spills can occur during various stages of well drilling, workover, and repair operations. They can also occur when oil is being transported offshore, either by flowline, underwater pipeline, or tanker. Oil spills from ships and tankers can include the transportation fuel used by the vessels themselves or their cargo, such as crude oil, fuel oil, or heating oil. Over half of the ocean's waste oil comes from land-based sources and unregulated recreational boating.
The impact of oil spills on marine life is significant. Studies have shown that crustaceans are more sensitive to oil dispersant exposure compared to fish. Oil spills can also increase the exposure and uptake of PAHs by fish, particularly those that live in coastal areas, the ocean, and lakes. Oil spills can harm marine microorganisms' ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, further accelerating the loss of ocean oxygen.
In addition to oil spills, plastic pollution is another pressing issue that contributes to climate change. Plastic pollution is found all around the globe, negatively impacting people and the environment at every stage of its lifecycle, from extraction to disposal. The rapid global growth of the plastic industry, largely fueled by natural gas, undermines efforts to reduce carbon pollution. Plastic in the oceans may interfere with their capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, accelerating climate change.
The contribution of plastic waste and the plastic industry to climate change is often overlooked or disregarded. Plastic waste is pervasive, found in the air, water, and even the food we eat. The lifecycle of plastics has indirect negative impacts that are neither visible nor obvious. As the world grapples with the plastic crisis, it is crucial to address these hidden consequences and work towards sustainable solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
The production, use, and disposal of plastic create significant greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. Plastic is made from fossil fuels, and the extraction, refining, and manufacture of plastics are all carbon-intensive activities. When plastic breaks down, it releases methane and ethylene due to exposure to sunlight and heat.
Plastic in the oceans may interfere with the ocean's capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, thus accelerating climate change. Plankton, which sequesters 30-50% of carbon dioxide emissions from human activities, has a decreased ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere after ingesting microplastics.
In addition to direct GHG emissions, ocean plastic pollution negatively affects marine organisms. It can cause the death of marine animals through suffocation, starvation, and drowning, and it can also affect the behaviour, metabolism, and reproduction of fish.
To reduce the impact of ocean plastic pollution on the climate, we need to move away from a single-use society and embrace a circular economy where items are reused, refilled, and repaired. Recycling can also help reduce the impact of plastic pollution on the environment, but it is important to note that recycling can also come with its own set of GHG emissions.
