Introduction to the Plastics Crisis
A global “plastics crisis” is costing governments and taxpayers $1.5 trillion annually as they try to cope with the escalating injury, disability and death caused by the substance polluting our land, sea and bodies, according to a new report by a leading medical journal.
The Extent of Plastic Production and Pollution
Plastic production is on course to triple by 2060, less than 10% of it is recycled, and around 8,000 megatons now pollute the planet, according to a review of recent studies published Sunday by The Lancet.
Harm Caused by Plastics
This causes harm at every stage of its lifecycle: from the extraction of fossil fuels and production, to its use by humans and eventual disposal into the environment, the British publication said.
“Plastics are a grave, growing, and under-recognized danger to human and planetary health,” it said. “Plastics cause disease and death from infancy to old age” and are “contributing to climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.”
These harms “fall disproportionately upon low-income and at-risk populations,” it added.
The Threat Posed by Plastic
This is the latest dire warning by experts about the ubiquity and threat posed by plastic, which journal called “the defining material of our age.” After decades of scientists warning about plastic being found in the oceans and rivers, microplastics are now being discovered inside humans — including in breast milk and brain tissue.
Monitoring the Plastics Crisis
Sunday’s release marked the start of a new monitoring system called “The Lancet Countdown on health and plastics,” which it says will track political attempts to combat the problem.
Global Efforts to Combat the Crisis
It was launched to coincide with the latest and final round of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, where 175 countries are trying to forge the world’s first Global Plastics Treaty.
Campaigners hope the talks, starting Tuesday through Aug. 14, will result in mandatory targets for reducing plastic production. A group of countries, including China, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia, have so far opposed these measures, instead lobbying for increased plastic recycling instead.
The Role of Petrochemical Giants
According to The Lancet, such petrochemical giants are a “key driver” of spiraling plastic production, as they pivot their businesses toward plastic in response to the global decline in demand for fossil energy.
Different plastics are made from up to 16,000 chemicals, which “enter the human body via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption,” often from food and drink containers and packaging, the study said.
Health Risks Associated with Plastics
Unborn babies, infants and young children are “especially at risk,” with harms including miscarriage, physical malformations, reduced cognitive function and diabetes, it said. For adults, the risks include cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer.
“Given the considerable gaps in knowledge of plastic chemicals, it is reasonable to conclude that the full extent of these chemicals’ harms to health is underestimated and that the burden of disease currently attributed to them is undercounted,” it added.
The Economic Burden of the Plastics Crisis
The Lancet quoted one study estimating the global costs of these diseases as $1.5 trillion.
“It is now clear that the world cannot recycle its way out of the plastic pollution crisis,” The Lancet said. “Control of the plastics crisis will require continuing research coupled with the science-driven interventions — laws, policies, monitoring, enforcement, incentives, and innovations.”
Conclusion
The plastics crisis is a pressing global issue that requires immediate attention and action. The economic burden of the crisis is substantial, with estimated annual costs of $1.5 trillion. The harm caused by plastics is widespread, affecting not only the environment but also human health. It is essential that governments, corporations, and individuals work together to reduce plastic production, increase recycling, and promote sustainable practices to mitigate the effects of the plastics crisis.
FAQs
Q: What is the estimated annual cost of the plastics crisis?
A: The estimated annual cost of the plastics crisis is $1.5 trillion.
Q: What are the main health risks associated with plastics?
A: The main health risks associated with plastics include miscarriage, physical malformations, reduced cognitive function, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer.
Q: Can recycling alone solve the plastics crisis?
A: No, according to The Lancet, the world cannot recycle its way out of the plastic pollution crisis. A comprehensive approach that includes reducing plastic production, increasing recycling, and promoting sustainable practices is necessary to mitigate the effects of the crisis.
Q: What is the role of petrochemical giants in the plastics crisis?
A: Petrochemical giants are a key driver of spiraling plastic production, as they pivot their businesses toward plastic in response to the global decline in demand for fossil energy.
