What Plastics Marine Pollution has to do with Climate Crisis?

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a global assessment of the marine pollution crisis in the lead up to the Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, UK.

Meanwhile, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued a working paper titled: 'From Pollution to Solution: A global assessment of marine litter and plastic pollution.'

Plastics are the most harmful and most persistent component of marine litter. The report finds sharp growth in recent years of plastic waste emissions, or leakage, into aquatic ecosystems, which it says are on track to almost triple by 2040.

But what is the relation between marine plastic pollution and climate change? Here is what reports say:

• Aquatic birds may feed on marine litter and die. Birds help grow forests, which would also get affected and hence carbon sink will reduce.
• Corals which are also carbon sinks, get affected by microplastics.
• Climate: Marine ecosystems play a major role in sequestering carbon, especially mangroves, seagrasses, corals and salt marshes. Plastics can alter global carbon cycling through their effect on plankton and primary production in marine, freshwater and terrestrial systems.

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The reports warn against the increased emphasis on recycling. They explain that existing bio-based and biodegradable plastic options pose a chemical threat similar to conventional plastics. Plastic disposal seems to have entered into fundamental debates.

Here comes the role of youth in Higher Educational Institutes and Universities. Recycling is considered the best practice for plastics but now it is being called for reconsideration. The advantages disadvantages of biodegradable plastics is being researched. Smart Campus Cloud Network- sccnhub.com promotes such research in the Universities to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs). 

Rajendra Shende

Chairman, TERRE Policy Centre

Former Director, UNEP 

IIT Alumnus