Climate change refers to the gradual increase in the average global temperature, which has especially increased after the start of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1700s. The Industrial Revolution was a time period when societies around the world began to shift from agricultural economies to economies centered around industrialism. This shift marked the beginning of the accelerated pace of global warming. There are many contributors to global warming, one being plastic pollution due to the vast amounts of single-use plastic products being used and discarded.
In order to slow down climate change and protect our planet, single-use plastic products should be eliminated and replaced with paper products that are more friendly to the environment.
Every year, around 400 million tons of plastic waste are discarded, which often find their way into our planet’s oceans and rivers, where they harm wildlife and ecosystems. Globally, only around 9% of plastics are successfully recycled, while the percentage in the United States is just 4%. Plastics that are not recycled end up in oceans, landfills, or incinerators. As the plastics in oceans and landfills break down, greenhouse gases such as methane and ethylene are released. Plastics that are burned in incinerators also generate toxic greenhouse gases that further contribute to global warming.
According to the United Nations (UN), 1.8 billion tonnes, or around 2 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions were generated from plastics in 2019. This number makes up around 3% of the total global emissions, however, this number is expected to triple by 2060. 98% of the single-use plastics produced contain petrochemicals, which come from oil and gas. The extraction of oil and gas, along with the manufacturing and disposal of plastics lead to carbon emissions that play a major in climate change.
Microplastics in the oceans affect the ability of marine microorganisms that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. These microplastics contaminate the waters and can generate greenhouse gases. These contaminated waters also have major effects on innocent marine life. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), microplastics can negatively impact an animal’s development and can cause issues regarding reproduction.
The main alternative to plastic products are paper products, however, the production of paper products causes greenhouse gas emissions. Paper products are more difficult to produce than plastic products, which results in more fossil fuels being burned and more pollution. Paper products also have a poor recycling rate at just 40%. However, paper is biodegradable, resulting in less permanent pollution than with plastics. Paper is also easier to recycle than plastic and extracting the raw materials for paper production does not harm the environment as much as plastic. Additionally, while the production of paper products does lead to large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, so does the production of plastic.
Single-use plastic products have harmful effects on the environment such as plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, so plastics should be eliminated and replaced with paper products.
Politicians should take action immediately and demand that single-use plastics be replaced with biodegradable plastic products. Contact your local representative via call or email and advocate for this change. You directly can also make a change right now by opting for paper, reusable, or other materials that are more eco-friendly instead of single-use plastics.
Works Cited
Edmond, Charlotte. “We know plastic pollution is bad – but how exactly is it linked to climate change?” World Economic Forum, 19 Jan. 2022, www.weforum.org/stories/2022/01/plastic-pollution-climate-change-solution/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
“Industrial Revolution.” History, A&E Television Networks, 29 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution/industrial-revolution. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
“Is Switching from Plastic to Paper Better for the Environment?” Public Interest Research Group, 23 Jan. 2025, pirg.org/articles/is-switching-from-plastic-to-paper-better-for-the-environment/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
“Plastic Pollution and Climate Change.” Citizens’ Climate Lobby, 29 Aug. 2024, citizensclimatelobby.org/plastics-and-climate-change/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
“Plastics – Fueling Oil Demand, Climate Change and Pollution.” United Nations, 2019, www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/plastics. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
“What Are the Impacts of Microplastics?” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 8 July 2024, oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial-coastal/marine-debris/md04-sub-01.html. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
