Untangling the Complex Relationship: Plastics & Climate Change

Welcome to Suits & Tides, the sustainability newsletter with more knowledge than microplastics in the ocean! In this episode, we talk about plastic’s hidden impact on climate change.

In 2018, while examining debris extracted from the Pacific garbage patch, environmental researchers Linsey Haram and Jim Carlton stumbled upon an astonishing discovery. They observed marine life typically associated with coastal regions, such as crabs and anemones, not just surviving but flourishing on floating plastic debris.

The finding was unexpected. The open sea, known for its scarce food supply and shelter from the sun, is generally inhospitable to such species. It was found that “neopelagic” communities are composed of pelagic species (inhabiting the upper layers of the open sea), which have evolved to live and thrive on floating marine substrates (plastics). These pelagic species were once assumed incapable of surviving long periods of time on the high seas. 

Carlton expressed his concern on the Vox Unexplainable podcast, saying, "it was an uh-oh moment," and noted the situation as "sobering". He highlighted how the countless pieces of plastic adrift in the ocean had inadvertently created a new living ecosystem within it.

The researchers are now pondering over the unintentional establishment of a novel ecosystem atop our oceanic plastic waste. This finding is now driving immense curiosity amongst scientists and researchers about the origins of these garbage-patch ecosystems, their potential growth and expansion, and their permanence. More plastic is entering the ocean everyday, and that translates to new additions to this thriving ecosystem and more potential habitat for these coastal species and various forms of organisms.

Climate change works into this as an accelerant; with an increase in cyclonic activity, hurricanes, rainfall and wind patterns, the adrift plastic and the newfound living ecosystems on top of the plastic could potentially raft across areas far beyond the Pacific garbage patch. The movement of these ecosystems would lead the plastics to break down even further, and turn into microplastics and nanoplastics. 

This could further lead to the formation of newer hybridized ecosystems and could introduce various coastal species, bacteria, and other living organisms across unfamiliar territories. The resultant outcome and impact of such expansions of these neopelagic communities across the open ocean, to our existing environment still remains unknown and largely unclear to researchers. 

This points to the strange, complex and previously unexplored and understudied relationship between plastics and climate change. The intriguing insights provided by environmental researchers Linsey Haram and Jim Carlton, on this exploration into the complex relationship between plastic pollution and climate change unveils a multifaceted crisis facing our planet. As plastic continues to permeate our oceans, it not only contributes to the burgeoning issue of marine pollution but also plays a significant role in exacerbating the effects of climate change.

Plastic production and disposal are inherently carbon-intensive processes. From the extraction of fossil fuels to the manufacturing and eventual breakdown of plastic products, each stage releases significant amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. This cycle of production, consumption, and degradation of plastics is a direct contributor to the global warming phenomenon.

According to a 2019 report by the Center for International Environmental Law, the lifecycle of plastic could contribute up to ~56 gigatons of CO2e to the global carbon budget by 2050. This is roughly 10-13% of the total amount of carbon dioxide we can release into the atmosphere before exceeding global warming targets.

Moreover, the degradation of plastics in the ocean releases methane and ethylene – two powerful greenhouse gasses – as sunlight and heat break down the plastic materials. This adds an underwater dimension to the plastic crisis, where even the degradation of plastics contributes to the greenhouse effect.

The interconnectedness of plastic pollution and climate change also extends to the impact on marine life and ecosystems. As plastics break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, they absorb toxins and harmful chemicals. These microplastics are then ingested by marine organisms, which can lead to bioaccumulation of toxins in the food chain, affecting not just marine species but also humans who rely on seafood. The introduction of alien species through floating debris, as highlighted by Haram and Carlton's findings, further disrupts marine biodiversity and ecosystem balance.

To combat this growing crisis, Seven Clean Seas is at the forefront of the fight against oceanic plastic pollution. With our commitment to recover 10 million kilograms of ocean plastic by 2025 and formalize 200 informal waste collectors, we are tackling both the environmental and social ramifications of plastic pollution. Our innovative projects in Bintan and Batam in Indonesia, and Project HIPPO in Thailand, demonstrate our holistic approach to addressing plastic pollution through recovery efforts and creating sustainable, formal jobs in rural communities.

In conclusion, the relationship between plastics and climate change is a complex web of cause and effect that exacerbates the environmental crisis our planet faces. The findings of Haram and Carlton serve as a sobering reminder of the unintended consequences of our consumption habits. As we delve deeper into understanding this relationship, it becomes increasingly clear that addressing plastic pollution is not just about cleaning up our oceans but also about combating climate change. 

The significance of our actions can be highlighted by what the renowned oceanographer Jacques Yves Cousteau once said - "the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever".

Together, with collective action and innovative solutions, we can make a significant impact on preserving our planet for future generations, and picturing an ocean without plastic. 

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