It has seeped into the veins of the Earth. Something created by humans is altering the entire system of our planet. What could it be?

More than 150 years ago, plastic was first invented, and since then it has become a significant problem for the planet: its micro-particles have already been found in water, air, soil, the bodies of all living beings, and even in the breath of dolphins, reports The Guardian.

A new analysis by scientists indicates that plastic pollution has penetrated so deeply into the "veins of the Earth" that it is literally altering processes across the entire planet, exacerbating climate change, loss of biodiversity, ocean acidification, and the use of freshwater and soil. Additionally, plastic pollution impacts the health of all living beings on the planet, including humans.

Therefore, scientists insist that plastic can no longer be viewed merely as a waste issue. Researchers urge that plastic be considered as a product that harms ecosystems and human health.

The analysis was published just days before the final negotiations in South Korea aimed at agreeing on a legally binding global treaty to reduce plastic pollution. Progress in this area has been hampered by disputes over the need to cut plastic production.

Statistics indicate that in 2022 alone, at least 56 million tons of plastic were produced, with only 9% of this material being recycled worldwide. The remainder is incinerated, sent to landfills, or settles in places where it can enter the environment. Studies show that tiny microplastic particles can now be found everywhere: from Everest to the deepest point of the ocean—the Mariana Trench.

In the new study, scientists examined plastic pollution as well as the impact of this material on the environment, well-being, and human health. Now, the authors of the analysis are calling on world governments to consider plastic pollution not merely as a waste issue but also to recognize that such pollution literally affects all systems of the Earth.

According to lead author Patricia Villarubia-Gómez from the Stockholm Resilience Centre, humanity today needs to take into account the full life cycle of plastic: from the extraction of fossil fuels to the production of primary plastic polymers.

During the research, the team discovered that plastic pollution essentially alters the processes of the entire Earth system, affecting all urgent global environmental issues, including:

• climate change;
• loss of biodiversity;
• ocean acidification;
• use of freshwater and soil.

In today's world, the plastic problem is often viewed solely from a waste perspective. However, most single-use plastics, about 98%, are produced from fossil fuels. Data from 2021 shows that the seven largest plastic-producing companies operate on fossil fuels. Yet only a tiny fraction of this plastic is actually recycled.

Scientists concluded that the solutions we strive to develop must be considered in light of this complexity, encompassing the full spectrum of safety and sustainability to protect both people and the planet.