Climate change is worsening microplastic pollution – E&E News by POLITICO

Report on the Interlinkages Between Climate Change, Plastic Pollution, and Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

A recent scientific review highlights a critical intersection between two major environmental crises: climate change and plastic pollution. The findings indicate that rising global temperatures, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, are exacerbating the proliferation of microplastics in the environment. This dynamic presents significant challenges to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2.0 Key Findings on Climate Change and Microplastic Interaction

The review of existing scientific literature presents several concerning conclusions regarding the synergistic effects of global warming and plastic degradation:

1. Accelerated Plastic Degradation: Global warming and associated climatic factors hasten the breakdown of larger plastic items into microplastics.
2. Enhanced Environmental Dispersal: Climate change facilitates the wider and more rapid distribution of these microplastic particles into vital natural ecosystems.
3. Negative Ecosystem Impacts: Emerging research is beginning to quantify the adverse effects of microplastic pollution on life within these ecosystems.

3.0 Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The interconnected nature of these environmental threats directly impacts progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The primary SDGs affected include:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The report underscores a feedback mechanism where the primary effects of climate change create secondary environmental hazards, complicating efforts to combat climate change and its impacts.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The increased dispersal of microplastics into oceans and rivers poses a direct threat to marine biodiversity and the health of aquatic ecosystems, undermining efforts to conserve and sustainably use marine resources.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The contamination of soils and terrestrial water systems with microplastics threatens biodiversity and the integrity of land-based ecosystems.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: While research is in its early stages, the potential impact of microplastic contamination on human health is a growing concern, directly relating to the goal of ensuring healthy lives for all.

4.0 Conclusion

While the field of research is nascent, initial findings confirm a detrimental relationship between climate change and plastic pollution. The accelerated formation and dispersal of microplastics due to global warming create significant obstacles to achieving key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to climate action and the protection of life on land and below water. Further research is required to fully understand the scope of these impacts on environmental and human health.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article directly addresses this goal by stating, “Greenhouse gases are increasing in the atmosphere” and discussing the effects of “global warming.” It highlights climate change as a central environmental problem.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This goal is relevant as the article explicitly mentions that plastic pollution and microplastics disperse into “oceans” and “rivers,” negatively affecting marine and freshwater ecosystems.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article connects to this goal by noting that plastic pollution also spreads into “soils” and other “natural ecosystems” on land, threatening terrestrial life.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  While not explicitly mentioned, this goal is intrinsically linked. The statement that “Plastic pollution is proliferating in the environment” points to unsustainable patterns of production and consumption that lead to excessive waste generation, which is the root cause of the microplastic problem.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article touches upon this goal by raising concerns about the impact of plastic pollution on humans, stating, “Scientists are just scratching the surface on all the ways plastics can affect human health.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.

   The article’s focus on “Plastic pollution” and “microplastics” dispersing into “oceans” and “rivers” directly relates to the reduction of marine debris mentioned in this target.

2. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   The article’s opening statement, “Greenhouse gases are increasing in the atmosphere,” describes the core problem that this target aims to address through policy and strategic action.

3. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

   The issue of “proliferating” plastic pollution is a direct result of waste generation. This target is relevant as it addresses the source of the microplastics discussed in the article.

4. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

   The article’s concern that “plastics can affect human health” implies a connection to this target, as microplastics represent a form of water and soil pollution and contamination with potential health risks.

5. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

   The mention of plastic pollution affecting “rivers and soils” aligns with this target’s focus on protecting terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems from degradation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 13.2.2: Total greenhouse gas emissions per year.

  This indicator is directly implied by the article’s statement that “Greenhouse gases are increasing in the atmosphere.” Measuring the annual emissions is the primary way to track this problem.

• Indicator 14.1.1b: Plastic debris density.

  The article’s discussion of “Plastic pollution” and “microplastics” proliferating in “oceans” and “rivers” implies the relevance of this indicator. Measuring the density of plastic debris is a key method for assessing the extent of the problem described.

• Implied General Indicators:

  The article does not provide specific quantitative data but describes the phenomena that other indicators are designed to measure. For instance, the concern for human health implies the need for indicators related to illnesses from environmental pollution (related to Target 3.9), and the mention of pollution in “soils” implies the need for indicators measuring land degradation (related to Target 15.1).

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: eenews.net