#plastic-pollution

#plastic-pollution

When a virulent material enters an ecosystem, it can wreak havoc on existing life. Bittersweet vines in Upstate New York, for example, were brought to the region in the second half of the 19th century to combat erosion and for their sinuous, woody beauty. Native to eastern Asia, these largely poisonous plants quickly became invasive, smothering other specimens and even uprooting trees.

As fossil-fuel derivatives, plastics are made of refined carbon. By 2015, about 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste had been generated, with around 79% of this accumulating in landfills or the natural environment, where it breaks into ever smaller pieces. Each year, plastic production increases exponentially: the total weight of carbon in plastic has surpassed the mass of all animals combined, and is likely to equal the mass of all bacteria by 2095 (see 'Litter legacy').

The Russian invasion of Ukraine will have long-lasting consequences for all of us. Like the 1939 invasion of Poland introduced the world to 'blitzkrieg'-high-speed tanks and air power quickly jumping enveloping and eliminating enemy lines-this war is the herald of a new military era of relentless unmanned war machines hunting the enemy through air, land, and water. The drones are part of a new, high-speed technological race with a major unintended consequence: endless miles of plastic string pollution.

For almost two years, Palestinians in Gaza have been documenting their experiences, highlighting their existence through various perspectives, from trained journalists to everyday citizens.

Our campaign aimed to confront the alarming findings that microplastics were found in 80% of tested penises, prompting a critical conversation about environmental impact.

"At one end of the spectrum are the small island states, which are confronted with immense plastic pollution on their coasts and in their seas without contributing significantly to the pollution themselves," said Jochen Flasbarth, Germany's state secretary for the environment.

Negotiators left the plastic summit without a treaty, failing to reach an agreement on reducing plastic production and implementing legally binding controls on toxic chemicals.

"Just because something is recyclable doesn't mean it's getting recycled. Currently, it is simply cheaper to just make a new plastic product than to collect it and recycle it."

According to research from Ocean Conservancy, most U.S. states receive failing grades on plastic policy, with the country’s recycling rate remaining below 9%.

Bethanie Carney Almroth described a hostile environment during the UN negotiations on plastic pollution, with personal harassment and intimidation by representatives of chemical companies.

With a clear trend to longer, hotter heatwaves, it is important we shine a light on the true cost to human life, our economy, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare system.

By contrast, glass is non-porous, so it doesn't leach toxins into food, regardless of temperatures. It's also resistant to chemical changes, so glass containers don't absorb food flavors, moisture, or bacteria.

I became obsessed with seals and protecting them from the dangers of plastic flying rings after witnessing a seal with a toy embedded in her neck.

Crafted from an intricate mosaic of plastic collected from Hawaiian beaches, the giant blue whale emphasizes the alarming presence of 150 million tonnes of plastic in oceans.

The advent of eco-friendly diapers that utilize plastic-eating fungi signifies a crucial step towards reducing diaper waste, moving beyond conventional solutions to address plastic pollution.

A single load of laundry can release millions of plastic fiber fragments, which can end up in waterways and harm marine life.