We have all heard of general terms like Global Warming, Greenhouse effect, and Climate change, but what exactly does this all mean? Is it possible that this concept is not as valued because we are losing sight of its meaning and impacts?
The only way that I could think of explaining the Greenhouse effect is if we compare ourselves to vegetables… Now hear me out. We are essentially steaming inside the sealed atmosphere of the earth as we set fire to our resources. The outer layers of Earth’s atmosphere acts as semi permeable lids that create a closed system over the biosphere. Earth’s atmosphere is meant to absorb the energy from the sun as it penetrates through the ozone layer, then re-emit it so that the amount of solar energy is balanced. A healthy amount of greenhouse gases are meant to trap some of this solar energy in order to keep a hostile temperature for human life. However, as an increased amount of greenhouse gases, such as, carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons, are released into our immediate atmosphere from manmade activities, they absorb the re-emitted solar energy and trap them in the immediate layer of Earth’s atmosphere. This trapped energy mimics a sealed pressure cooker, with a lot of steam building up inside which increases pressure, which is great, if we want to cook like vegetables.
The increased trapping of excess energy causes the temperature of the earth to rise and results in, what is referred to as, global warming. This extensive warming of the atmosphere brings forth harmful implications that have the ability to create an uninhabitable environment on earth.
Now that the raw facts are laid down in front of us, we can move past some of the speculations about the existence of global warming I mentioned in my past blog. So, what is one of the main culprits of an increased amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere? The answer is plastic.
When plastic is exposed to sunlight and degraded, they emit greenhouse gases, such as methane and ethylene. Scientists writing in the journal PLOS One give a decent amount of credit for the emissions to plastic. They carried out tests on common plastic products such as, water bottles, shopping bags, and food containers, to see how much of an effect their emissions have on our atmosphere. Senior researcher David Karl of the University of Hawaii claims that “plastic represents a source of climate-relevant trace gases that is expected to increase as more plastic is produced and accumulated in the environment,” And as these gases increase, a devastating amount of damage is to be expected to our environment. Methane gas, both man-made and naturally occurring, is said to be a major cause of climate change. This is exactly what plastic is emitting.
A majority of our life really does revolve around plastic. Chances are, within two hours of waking up, we used at least one or two single-use plastic product that was immediately discarded for the land fills. So how could we possibly give up such a convenient and useful material?
The relationship between humans and plastic must take a turn for a positive change. It can start with one person, who may influence another, and in-turn create a cycle of influencing. Avoiding the use of single-use plastics is a commonly pitched idea. It can start with something as little as plastic drinking straws, and escalate to a more drastic measure, such as, replacing every single-use plastic item in your household to reusable and environmentally friendly products.
However, there are an abundance of essential products that would not be possible without the use of plastic. For instance, polypropylene is used for films, milk jugs, and large housing. If plastic is banned, we will be back to using glass jars for milk which can prove to be expensive. Polycarbonate is used to make electronic, toys and cups. PVC is used for medical tubing and inflatable mattresses. A life without any amount of plastic is one that is hard to picture. However, it may be time, for the sake of sustaining life on our planet, to come up with ways that are more environmentally friendly. Certain materials can be replaced with more sustainable products.
The capabilities of human beings are not all that limited. If we start at one corner, and spread the influence, a real change can be brought about to this on-going issue.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24021772
https://www.livescience.com/37152-global-warming-causes.html
https://www.voanews.com/a/plastics-contribute-to-global-warming-scientists-say/4509787.html
I enjoy how you used the words “raw facts” when you are talking about being cooked like vegetables. That extended metaphor is great. I agree that a reduction in the use of plastics and fossil fuels will help reduce the flame that is cooking us like a pressure cooker.
This was very well written and you seem unquestionably informed and intelligent about these issues. I always learn so much reading these posts! I like how you mentioned at the end that banning plastic all together could bring us forward environmentally but not economically, as that is something I (as well as many others I assume), forget about. That is not to say we should still not try, but you bought up good questions about which needs we should place above others.
A world without plastic is unimaginable, but limiting the usage of plastic is possible. Usually, when people think of Greenhouse gases, they don’t usually think that the culprit being plastic (or at least I didn’t). So, I found this really helpful.
Also, I really like how you formatted this blog post. I found it really helpful to learn about the problem and then move on to what is causing it. 🙂
I love what you did with this post! Creating a new analogy to allow your readers to better understand the concept of climate change is a great idea, and you definitely made it work. The imagery of a pressure cooker is very functional within this post. I also really love that you touched on one of the less-talked-about causes of global warming: the degradation of plastic. Discussing why plastic is so important in the lives of so many Americans helps to make this issue even more pressing in the readers’ eyes, after having detailed the negative effects of the substance and causing them to realize the impacts they have daily.