84.49% Concerned Over Microplastics’ Impact On Soil, Water, and Climate

Tiny plastic fragments, measuring smaller than five millimeters, give rise to microplastics, a phenomenon observed by researchers in oceans, mountain tops, clouds, soils, and even within the human body.

Microplastics form when larger plastics break down, which could be done through chemical degradation or physically breaking down into smaller pieces. Judish Enck, president of Beyond Plastics, an organization working to end plastic pollution, said, “If it’s plastic, you’re going to get microplastics sooner or later.”

Real Research launched a survey to reveal the public’s awareness of the microplastics’ impact on climate, and here are the results.

Highlights:

• Microplastics’ impact on climate, soil, and water is extremely concerning to 44.87%.
• 46.12% say regulations are needed to limit the production of products contributing to microplastic pollution.
• 53.85% claimed public awareness can mitigate the microplastics’ impact on climate.

Microplastics’ Impact on Climate

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are no larger than five millimeters. The spread of microplastics into the environment, including in water, air, and livestock, poses a threat to the health of humans and animals.

56.5% were well aware of the impact of microplastics, 38.25% were vaguely aware, and 5.25% weren’t aware at all.

Read Also: Banning Single-Use Plastic Would Reduce Plastic Pollution, Said 85.05%

Recent studies have shown that microplastics have been discovered in cloud samples from Mount Tai in eastern China. After developing computer models to recreate the microplastics’ journey, the researchers figured that nearby cities served as a major source of the microplastics, suggesting that plastics produced at ground level were carried over large distances. This recent detection is extremely concerning to 38.25%, somewhat concerning to 36.07%, and not concerning at all to 25.68%.

Clouds don’t just produce precipitation in the form of rain or snow; they also block sunlight, leading to less solar radiation and cooler temperatures. 41.67% somewhat believe that microplastics could contribute to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere through their interactions with clouds. 39.9% said it was very likely, 16.65% stated it was somewhat unlikely, and 1.78% said it was very unlikely.

Moreover, studies revealed that microplastics can affect the soil, water quality, marine ecosystems, and wildlife. A revelation that led 44.87% to be extremely concerned, 39.62% somewhat concerned, and 15.52% not concerned at all.

Read Also: Impact of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life Concerns Almost 45%

Regulations and Restrictions?

Some regulations are needed to limit the production and use of products contributing to microplastic pollution, according to 46.12%. 34.23% believed the situation called for strong regulations, and 19.65% believed no regulations were needed.

Other than regulations and restrictions, the majority (53.85%) claimed that public awareness and action can mitigate microplastics’ impact on climate; 25.05% weren’t sure if it would be effective, and 21.1% opposed it.

According to the study’s authors, further research must be completed to fully understand the extent to which microplastics influence cloud formation. The majority (57.45%) were very supportive of further research efforts, 39.32% were somewhat supportive, and 3.21% weren’t supportive of the idea.