‘If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production.’ - Pete Seeger, 2008
Through the lens of a global perspective, the world, on an average, produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic each year- with 400 million metric tons in 2022, around 200 million metric tons in 2023 - an amount only expected to increase dramatically in the coming years. To be particular, a report by Madhumitha Jaganmohan in Statista published a forecast of plastic production in the year 2025 being 445 million metric tons, later increasing to 516 million metric tons in 2035, and 589 million metric tons of plastic production in 2050. With major countries such as China, the USA and India being the biggest producers of plastic- 37 million metric tonnes, 23 million metric tonnes, 7 million metric tonnes annually, respectively - the dangerous amounts of plastic are extremely detrimental to the environment, requiring immediate action. Among the various deadly causes behind climate change, plastic pollution remains at top with its threatening identity impacting the environment. Most single-use plastics are produced from fossil fuels, whose extraction and production emits excessively large amounts of greenhouse gases- amounts as large as 12.5 million metric tons, with methane and ethylene being the most common result of plastic production.
Capitalism, a driving force of today’s world, seems to have an underlying destructive nature that is killing our planet. Its damaging tendencies towards the environment, coupled with the misconception that plastic recycling carries, is acting as the most concerning reason behind the pervasiveness of plastic. With research based on the same, it is safe to conclude that out of the 5.8 billion metric tons of plastic waste generated between 1950 and 2015, only about 9% of it has been recycled. The rest has been left to be incinerated, landfilled, or littered. Due to plastic's complicated recycling nature, the whole concept of it is proving to be ineffective. Although, that doesn't necessarily mean that the act of 'reducing, reusing, recycling' in that particular order itself isn't helpful in any way. The order of these actions is so important in itself, with reducing the production of plastic being the most significant step of them all- for this single step could prove to be extremely helpful than the other two when it comes to tackling the enormous amounts of plastic waste present in the environment today.
As seen throughout the past few decades, carbon dioxide emissions also act as one of the most damaging causes behind climate change. Historical responsibility plays a major and notable role in the increment of climate change throughout the years, as clearly seen by trustworthy reports based on some of the major countries’ carbon footprint. Cumulatively, it is known that humans have pumped a whopping amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, around 2500 billion tonnes- to be more specific, since the year 1850, leaving out a very small amount (less than 500GtCO2) of the remaining carbon budget to stay below 1.5 degree Celsius of warming. In the span of 170 years, by the end of 2020, human induced global average air temperature had reached around 1.2 degree Celsius above pre-industrial level. On top remains the United States of America, having released over 509 GtCO2 since 1850 and holding the responsibility of being the largest contributor to historical emissions, with around 20% of the global total. At a relatively distant second place, stands China with emissions of 11% of the global total, followed by Russia with 7%, Brazil with 5% and Indonesia with 4%. Adding to this list, India and Japan also act as one of the biggest contributors to global warming through their use of fossil fuels.
As observed by the aforementioned breakdown of each country’s carbon dioxide emissions, it is valid to conclude that the biggest emitters are identified as developed countries such as the USA, Russia and Japan, along with a few highly and fast developing countries like India and China. Due to the availability of sufficient resources in highly developed countries, exploring and utilizing more energy in their industrial activities is a major form through which they add on to the climate crisis, somewhat lacking a sense of responsibility towards their resources and the environment. Not all countries face and hold the same level of responsibility regarding the climate crisis. The biggest polluters need to take action to reduce their carbon emissions, but also to offset their carbon footprint by supporting environmental projects and movements around the world.
However, on a slightly positive note, the need to stay below 1.5 degree Celsius of global warming can still be achieved, although through very stringent and drastic reduction in the emission of carbon dioxide until 2030, followed by achieving zero net emissions globally by the end of 2050. Given the shape of 1.5°C scenarios assessed in the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Special Report on 1.5°C, the extra carbon emissions before 2050 depend on the willingness to rely on the assumption of net negative CO2 emissions after 2050. If that reliance shall be minimized to zero, then no upward adjustments should be performed- an action required to be adhered to by the developed and developing countries.
The world is warming faster than at any point in recorded history, radically changing the Earth’s climate and releasing a wave of extreme weather including wildfires, hurricanes, floods and droughts. With some hope still left, the world and its citizens collectively can avoid the worst impacts of this climate crisis, through rapidly slashing our emissions of greenhouse gases and plastic pollution. Keeping in mind the goals we have, the world needs to cut its emissions by at least 42% in order to keep the 1.5 degree celsius temperature target alive. Moreover, it is absolutely necessary for us to reduce our annual emissions by 22 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. By 2025, every country must commit to new NDCs (National Determined Contributions) which must cover all emissions and sectors. Other global efforts including COP28 (the 28th edition of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC) held in Dubai, CBAM (The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism ) in Europe and the Inflation Act in the USA are striving to address and combat the urgent climate crisis- the role of companies, as well as individuals, also becoming increasingly pivotal.
Environmental responsibility has many perspectives to it, from personal to organisational, and even national. While organisations and companies are working towards a greener and healthier environment in the near future, personal and individual responsibility can act as an extremely significant perspective, adding to the aim of achieving a safer environment for the present and future generations. From small and minor steps such as opting for safer and biodegradable alternatives at a grocery store, and reducing the use of air conditioners when suitable, to supporting organisations that truly care about the environment- humans can do so much just by taking small steps at home.
‘The environment is where we all meet, where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.’ - Lady Bird Johnson, 1967
Category:Activisim
