The Intersection of Plastics and Climate Change

In our modern world, plastics have become an integral part of everyday life, permeating various aspects of our existence.

Unfortunately, the enduring nature of plastics has led to the widespread accumulation of plastic waste in the Earth’s oceans, forming vast gyres comprised of billions of tons of discarded items such as food containers, water bottles, and fishing gear.

This not only poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, as warned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), but also has increasingly detrimental effects on human health.

What may not be common knowledge is that the origin of this pervasive plastic issue lies in its close association with the oil industry.

A recent report from the Center for Climate Integrity highlighted the intricate connection between the plastics and oil sectors, shedding light on the role plastics play in exacerbating the climate crisis.

For journalists covering the climate narrative, the omnipresence of plastics presents a unique opportunity to illustrate the links between everyday consumer products and the companies driving environmental degradation.

Furthermore, it underscores the inadequacy of government regulations that allow environmentally harmful practices to persist.

Similar to the decades-long misinformation campaign by the oil industry regarding climate change, the plastics industry has misleadingly promoted recycling as the panacea for the colossal problem of plastic waste.

The Center for Climate Integrity report revealed that industry insiders have privately acknowledged the impracticality and impermanence of plastic recycling, despite public declarations to the contrary.

The report’s findings, which incorporate recently uncovered documents and years of investigative reporting, suggest a need for legal scrutiny. Former Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh expressed a willingness to pursue investigations and lawsuits based on the report’s revelations.

Global plastic production has now doubled since the 1990s, with both the plastics and oil industries seeking to further escalate production levels.

The oil industry views plastics as a strategic lifeline amid increasing global efforts to shift away from fossil fuels for the sake of climate sustainability. Companies like BP project that plastics will constitute a staggering 95 percent of the demand for new oil in the coming decades.

Journalists play a crucial role in holding companies accountable for their actions. Reports on plastic failures, from local recycling systems to laws addressing plastic usage, should emphasize the interconnectedness of these issues.

It is often the same companies employing discredited practices, contributing to a more perilous and aesthetically compromised world.

According to Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity, the first step toward resolving this predicament is to hold companies accountable.

Therefore, journalists must connect the dots for their audiences when reporting on plastic-related issues, revealing the consistent involvement of certain companies in perpetuating harmful practices.

By doing so, journalists can contribute to a more informed public and foster a collective push for responsible and sustainable practices in the face of the plastic and climate crisis.