Why we need to change our Plastic Forecast

I believe three things are my greatest tools for a bad day, both for myself and my young kids: fresh air, water, and good food. Stepping outside, taking a deep breath under the shining sun. Hydrating with a drink of water, or being near the water, whether in nature, or soaking in the tub. Nourishing our bodies with a meal of our favourite foods, dining together with our loved ones. But what if I told you that that deep breath, the sip of water, the food we consume, is all filled with plastic. It's in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and already, plastic is even in us. And that plastic is effecting our individual health, and our planet.

It's not the plot line of a science fiction story with a mastermind villain. It is the stark reality of 2024.

We are surrounded by plastic, using it in our daily lives through food packaging, electronics, medical devices, toys, and other textiles. Single-use plastics, such as bags, bottles and the like, are ubiquitous in our daily lives, but their convenience seemingly comes at a steep cost. The impacts on human health are undeniable and staggering.

The amount of plastic on Earth has increased at an astonishing rate. In 1950, global plastic production was 2 million tonnes a year. By 2017, that number soared to 348 million tonnes. It's an industry valued more than $700 billion CAD, and continues to grow.

Nearly every piece of plastic ever made still exists today, and almost every piece of plastic is made from chemicals that come from non-renewable fossil fuels. By 2050, the plastics industry could account for 20% of all oil consumption.

In terms of greenhouse gases, the gases contributing to an accelerated warming of our planet, the life cycle emissions from plastics are forecast to grow to around 19% of our global carbon budget by 2024.

And that plastic is now in our water cycle. In fact, measurements taken of water samples all over the world show that plastic has made its way into our waterways in alarming amounts. Every week in Ottawa, it is estimated that the average person will drink over 35,780 nanoplastics. These particles are small enough to potentially pass over important biological barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier and the placenta.

We've all heard of the 3 R's, reduce reuse recycle. (There are actually 8 R's in total, but that's a thought for another day). But did you know, those words are listed in degree of importance? We place so much emphasis on recycling, effectively bypassing the other two, REDUCE & REUSE. We cannot 'recycle' our way out of this plastics problem. Just like newly produced plastic, recycled plastic can still contain harmful chemicals. Plus, we know recycling is not on pace to keep up with the increase in plastic production. In the last 20 years, plastic production has more than doubled, and is forecast to triple by 2060, although we are projected to recycle only 17% of it by that time[1].

I was a kid in the 90s, and vividly remember images of pop can plastic rings wrapped around wildlife. Today, we continue to see shocking pictures of beaches filled with discarded waste, endless layers of plastic floating along the shoreline. And nowhere seems to be immune. Just take a walk around your community, and you'll find plastic littering ditches and fields. Our garbage and landfills are filled with it. And that's just what we can see.

When researchers look at a cellular level, the impacts of plastic are much more difficult to digest.

Let's look at the science behind this. There are more than 16,000 chemicals used in plastics, some giving the material it's flexibility, durability and colour. According to scientific research, at least 4200 are considered to be highly hazardous and linked to human health and environmental risks, such as cancers. And at least 11,000 haven't even been assessed for human health and environmental harm.

So what impact does it have on you? When it comes to our health, researchers have found exposure to plastics can potentially affect nearly every scope of our lives. From fertility, hormonal, and metabolic systems to neurological activity.

How does this happen? When we use plastic, additives can leach out of the products and be absorbed by our body. This disrupts our body's natural hormone and immune function, and increases risk of lower birth weight, neurodevelopmental disorders, birth defects, infertility, obesity, cardiovascular disease, renal disease and cancer.

Research shows we can be impacted by chemicals from plastics before we are even born. Babies can be exposed to plastics while in utero. This affects their rapidly developing brains, reducing the likelihood children will reach their full potential.

Later in life, there is evidence that chemicals from plastics can cause early puberty in girls, decreased sperm quality in men, endometriosis and PCOS in women, and miscarriage or spontaneous pregnancy loss.

For animal life, more than 800 marine and coastal species are affected by this pollution, by eating it and getting tangled up in it, among other dangers. And our beautiful oceans, already seeing roughly 11 million tonnes of plastic waste flow into them every year, could see that number TRIPLE within just 6 years, by 2040.

Do you feel overwhelmed? Me too.

I'm a mom to three beautiful humans, learning everything I can to raise them into resilient, brave people who can and will thrive in this world. But as a science educator, I also know that whatever emotional tools I arm them with, will be little help in an environment that is filled with unchecked dangers they can't see. How can I protect them from this? Here is how we can show the world that we want a different plastic future:Take action

We need global leaders to step up.

This is a large scale problem, in need of big solutions. That's where the Global Plastics Treaty comes in. Two years ago, in March of 2022, 175 nations came together to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by the end of this year, 2024. The goal? To get global agreement on how we can work together to end plastic pollution.

The UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen says this is an insurance policy for this generation and future ones, so they may live with plastic and not be doomed by it.

This April, global leaders are meeting in Ottawa to continue treaty negotiations. The Minderoo foundation is calling for a binding global solution which includes 3 key asks:

Reduction of virgin fossil fuel-related plastic production.

Removal of harmful chemicals in plastics.

Creation of a scientific advisory body to guide treaty implementation and adaptation.

As a scientist, I understand the need for change. As a mom, I am desperate for something to be done. Without change, our legacy will not be the good we've done in the world. Our legacy will be pieces of plastic. Plastic left behind, long after we failed to take action.

Now is when we get the chance to rewrite the story and be our own hero. Together, we can still change our plastic forecast.

1.https://www.oecd.org/environment/plastic-pollution-is-growing-relentlessly-as-waste-management-and-recycling-fall-short.htm