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Spatial Patterns of Plastic Lifecycle Emissions and Their Contribution to Global Climate Drivers- A Geographical Study
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This review paper pulls together existing research showing that plastic production, from oil extraction to ocean breakdown, adds significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and disrupts nature's ability to absorb carbon. It also points out that current fixes like recycling programs aren't doing enough, meaning the plastic in our daily lives is quietly fueling climate change alongside its known pollution risks.
AbstractClimate change represents one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century, primarily driven by anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While fossil fuel extraction, energy generation, deforestation, and agricultural practices are widely recognized as primary drivers, the systemic impact of plastic manufacturing, consumption, and disposal on global climate dynamics has increasingly come under geographic scrutiny. This paper synthesizes the environmental lifecycle of plastics—from fossil fuel-based petrochemical extraction to the atmospheric and oceanic degradation of single-use polymers. Incorporating key empirical metrics, process flow diagrams, carbon budget charts, and comparative statistical figures, we evaluate how plastic production exacerbates GHG emissions, examine ecosystem disruptions caused by ocean microplastics on biological carbon sinks, and critique current policy interventions including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the circular economy framework.
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Spatial Patterns of Plastic Lifecycle Emissions and Their Contribution to Global Climate Drivers- A Geographical Study
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This review paper pulls together existing research showing that plastic production and waste, from oil extraction to ocean breakdown, adds significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, not just fossil fuels alone. It also highlights how ocean microplastics disrupt marine systems that normally absorb carbon, meaning our plastic habits may be quietly worsening climate change while current recycling policies fall short of fixing the problem.
Spatial Patterns of Plastic Lifecycle Emissions and Their Contribution to Global Climate Drivers- A Geographical Study
AI summary Read the abstract
This review paper pulls together existing research showing that plastic production, from oil extraction to ocean breakdown, adds significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and disrupts the ocean's ability to absorb carbon. It also points out that current fixes, like recycling programs and "circular economy" plans, aren't doing enough. The takeaway: cutting plastic use isn't just about reducing waste, it's also a climate issue.
Spatial Patterns of Plastic Lifecycle Emissions and Their Contribution to Global Climate Drivers- A Geographical Study
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This review paper pulls together existing research showing that plastic, from production to disposal, adds significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and disrupts ocean ecosystems that normally help absorb carbon. It also finds that current solutions like recycling programs aren't doing enough to fix the problem. This matters because plastic pollution isn't just a litter issue, it's tied to climate change and ocean health, which ultimately affects the food and water humans depend on.
Emerging Challenges from Plastics-Driven Climate Change
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This review examines how the plastic life cycle — from fossil fuel extraction through manufacturing to disposal — generates substantial greenhouse gas emissions, while environmental microplastics disrupt ecosystems and reduce ocean carbon sequestration, creating a bidirectional link between plastic pollution and climate change.
Contribution of plastic and microplastic to global climate change and their conjoining impacts on the environment - A review
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This review examines how the entire lifecycle of plastics -- from production to disposal -- contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with plastic production projected to account for up to 13% of Earth's carbon budget by 2050. The paper also discusses how microplastics in the ocean disrupt carbon-absorbing marine organisms, creating a feedback loop that worsens both climate change and the spread of toxic plastic particles through the food chain.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.