This year, EARTHDAY.ORG set the theme for Earth Day as ‘Planet vs. Plastics’.
In case you were wondering why we picked that specific theme, here’s the reason: Plastic pollutes our planet, our wildlife, all of us, and plastic production also produces greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate change. Right now, the manufacture of plastics accounts for four per cent of GHG emissions but, if we continue on our present plastic-producing trajectory, this could triple by the year 2060. What most people do not realise is that plastics are made from oil and a toxic mix of chemicals, making it therefore an increasingly important part of the fossil fuel industry.
Most plastics are never recycled and a lot of it cannot be recycled, but instead contributes to an epic waste crisis that unfairly impacts developing and island nations. Now, there’s growing evidence we are inhaling and ingesting tiny particles of plastics, known as microplastics, as well as toxic chemicals leaching out of them. As you probably realise, humans are not designed to ingest plastics, so it’s not surprising that there are serious human health risks associated with this unrequested plastic diet.
Research suggests the health implications presented by microplastics and their additive chemicals are particularly relevant to babies, both before and after birth. In one recent study, 100 per cent of placentas tested had microplastics inside them. RISKS INFANTS FACE Our own report, Babies vs Plastics, high.