Plastic Planet - Climate Chaos

Join us for this compelling episode of the Climate Emergency Forum, hosted by Herb Simmens, as we delve into the critical issue of plastics and their profound connection to the climate crisis.

This video was recorded on April 2nd, 2025, and published on April 13th, 2025, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.

The discussion explores the pervasive harm caused by plastics—particularly microplastics—and their alarming impact on environmental health, human health, and food security. Drawing inspiration from the iconic 1967 film *The Graduate*, Herb sets the stage for a thought-provoking conversation about the "great future" plastics promised and the devastating consequences they now pose.

Dr. Peter Carter highlights the catastrophic effects of microplastics on crop yields and photosynthesis—the foundation of life on Earth. He explains how microplastics inhibit plant growth at every stage, exacerbate food insecurity, and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifecycle. Paul Beckwith expands on these points by discussing how microplastics disrupt ecosystems, penetrate human biology, and degrade vital carbon sinks like oceans. Both experts emphasize the urgent need to phase out fossil fuels and transition to biodegradable alternatives.

This episode calls for bold action to address the plastification of society and its dire implications for our planet's future. From advocating for policy changes to reimagining production processes and materials, our panelists stress the importance of systemic transformation. As always, we invite you to engage with us by liking, subscribing, sharing your thoughts in the comments, and supporting our work through donations at our website. Together, we can confront this global emergency head-on.
Links:
- Support our work at the Climate Emergency Forum

- Microplastics

- A global estimate of multiecosystem photosynthesis losses under microplastic pollution

- Agricultural production statistics 2010–2023

- Double Trouble: plastics found to emit potent greenhouse gases

- Microplastics hinder plant photosynthesis, study finds, threatening millions with starvation

- Office of Technology Assessment

- European Parliamentary Technology Assessment (EPTA) Network

Regular Panelists:
Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute

Paul Beckwith - Climate Systems Scientist. Professor at the University of Ottawa's Paleoclimatology Laboratory as well as at Carleton University

Herb Simmens - Author, Co-founder of the Healthy Planet Action Coalition (HPAC), Climate Emergency Board Member and former college instructor.

Video Production:
Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader

Heidi Brault - Video production and website assistant, Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP26 team lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum; BA (Psychology); Climate Reality Leader

Our Website:

Attributions:
Background Music:
- Title: Through the City II
- Author: Crowander

[marydinneen]

Oregon coastal beaches are filled with plastics from micro to visible pieces. It breaks my heart to witness this nightmare every time I walk a beach. Birds are frequently found tangled up deceased on ocean beaches as well. I remember that particular scene from the movie vividly. At that time, I was young and couldn't have imagined how plastics would have impacted the world.

[sydgriffin]

Thank you for this forum. It gives me some hope that I am not insane for seeing the destruction/desecration inherent in our modern lifestyle. Your work of giving voice to the issues of environmental degradation and the need to chart a sustainable course is vitally important. Many blessings to you!

[daveferger]

Plastification. I remember as a young man I had a Jimmy Hendrix greatest hits album. One of my favorite tracks was the song called "If 6 was 9". In one of the change ups, the tempo slows, and he's just speaking the lyrics,

"White-collared conservatives
Flashing down the street
Pointing their plastic finger at me
They're hoping soon, my kind will drop and die
But I'm going to wave
My freak flag high, high ow!"

That was one of the first times I questioned consumerism. Thanks for your wonderful production gentlemen.

[rolandgibson-murphy]

Too many people needing too many affordable plastic items, and as the world population thrives to increase their lifestyle Plastics will increase.

[louisdiedricks]

Plastic is estimated to double in quantity throughout the earth in the next 10 to 15 years. Where will photosynthesis be then?

[CHistrue]

I love your program. Let’s be careful to avoid authoritarian solutions as authoritarian solutions favor the current regime. Worker control of industry and communal decentralization are what actually preserve ecosystems. Plastic free means exploitation free, which is better for individual freedom and not an infringement. That is how I would frame the matter.

I can understand frustration at false “individualism” that serves corporate interests but a genuine individual freedom should be the goal of ecological activism. This is not a criticism of your wonderful channel but a helpful insight, I hope. Cheers and good tidings.

[robertm]

Thank you for doing this! Very important topic!

[PaulaTourville-pofg]

Dear God we are such blithering idiots Boggles the mind

[happymusicschool-itqc]

Love the rants.... keep it up... some imaginative swearing might be nice too ... Great work guys, never give up

[robbob]

CBC's The Nature of Things just had an episode on microplastics available on YouTube.

The topic seems to be back, but I'm guessing just like the last time it was in the environmental zeitgeist, it'll be forgotten for something else. It's overwhelming, all these invisible fires that people either don't know about or care about, or sometimes are setting themselves because they want to make money from it. I've been moaning about environmental destruction for over 45 years, but I've almost never found someone who cares and is keeping it mind in their daily life, like when they vote. If we don't care about the genocide in Gaza and every other humanitarian crisis like Darfur and Yemen, how can we care about the destruction of the environment? Maybe we are a lost cause. The planet will reset for whatever life comes after us in years to come. Apologies for my dire mood 🖖☮️🌍🌎🌏💚

[anthonyvalenti]

Thanks Herb, Peter and Paul. Emiko, my Japanese friend informed me about plastic pollution and detoxing your body. We recycle organic, recycle and waste. Love talking about ocean waste, carbon reduction and human detox. My 80s chemo and parotid neutron radiation and my detox have minimized my plastic intake. I found paper box washer sheets at Whole Foods. Healthy diet reduces plastic system. Don't forget about plastic in the ocean.

[SFIHHighlights]

Awesome content! I covered this too in a recent video — mainly how to reduce plastic intake with a good water filter (the one I use made a big difference). It’s wild how common this stuff is.

[OneDonte]

Love this and fully interested in the many groups joining and finding ways for this to be just as important as a trip to space or a company like apple!

[juliebarks]

My husband has Parkinson's. And I have been diagnosed with it. Friends, we know have it. People we know have rheumatoid arthritis. I'm not talking about very elderly people. So many people around us are being diagnosed with early-onset dementia. ? Why🤔

[Frosty]

What amazes me is that world leaders did not insist on mass production of material that acts like plastic but is also compostable in the 80's or 90's. Seriously a failure of leadership since since that material has been around for decades. I might be wrong though....

[lesliemartin]

Just a dreamy moment here listening to this interesting and hard hitting talk. What if, a million years from now, some life form on Earth becomes able to gather and use these ubiquitous microscopic particles, to eat or digest them, providing energy for new life forms to develop. But hopefully they would do this with restraint, unlike our life form squandering fossilized plants.

[mickgatz]

WOW, an "ALL STARS PLASTICS" discussion.
Thank to Paul, to mention NANO plastics. 👍

[mikeharrington]

Please close the door behind you, you have left the Holocene, and you are now in the Plasticene

[lesliemartin]

Having read up a bit more on micro and nano plastics it occurred to me that the very rich cannot protect themselves from these harmful toxic particles. Sailing their yachts, wearing pvc outer clothing, and all the rest of it …. Do we consider this a type of levelling down I wonder?

[michaelschiessl]

Great video presentation Many thanks to you Herb, Dr Carter, and Paul..very concerning indeed..along with everything else going on..Death by 1, 000 cuts....