About the Work
The Project
Illuminating the data gaps to account for all the climate impacts of plastics
Illuminating the data gaps to account for all the climate impacts of plastics
The goal of The Plastics & Climate Project is to help estimate the extent to which plastics and their associated petrochemicals contribute to the global average temperature rise. In working towards this goal, the Project conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed scientific literature to identify critical data gaps, developed an agenda for necessary continued research, and recommended policies and actions to support that research.
The result is our peer-reviewed paper published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, and a summary report for non-technical audiences: "Plastics: Exposing Their Climate Impacts, What We Know, What We Need To Know, & Recommendations For Research and Policy."
Though the connections between climate change and plastics are becoming more widely discussed among activists and policymakers, little quantitative data exists. As fossil fuels are the main feedstock for petrochemicals and 99% of plastics, plastics inherently have climate impacts similar to other fossil-fuel based industries. However, plastics also have unique climate impacts — including during use and when they become unmanaged waste.
Emissions of multiple greenhouse gases and black carbon throughout the lifecycle of plastics, including from the extraction, production, distribution, use, and end-of-life treatment — including recycling, burning, environmental degradation — and unmanaged waste.
Interference with global carbon cycling, including the functioning of ocean, soil, and plant carbon sinks.
Alteration of the Earth's radiation budget due to the plastic particles covering the Earth's surface and presence in the air and clouds.
If the plastics industry were a country, it would be at least the 5th largest emitter of greenhouse gases — after China, the US, India, and Russia.
The plastics industry is on track to release more greenhouse gases than coal plants in the US by 2030, including millions of tons of methane.
Plastics appear to be harming the ocean's ability to absorb carbon, as well as soils' and plants', and add toxins to those environments and the air we breathe.
Plastics and petrochemicals are harming human health, especially for frontline and environmental justice communities near fossil fuel extraction and plastics manufacturing facilities.