Tuesday, September 16, 2025
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
Environmental Magazine
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home Activism

Chemical pollution is now a direct threat to humanity’s survival

March 26, 2022
in Activism
A A

From plastic to pesticides, substances contaminating the globe have crossed a ‘planetary boundary’ – defined as the point at which human-made change pushes Earth beyond a stable environment. 

Swedish scientists issued the warning as part of a new study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, highlighting there has been a fiftyfold increase in the production of chemicals since 1950. Quantities are expected to triple again by 2050. 

Particular concerns were raised in relation to plastic pollution, which has been found at the summit of Mount Everest and deep in the world’s oceans. Pesticides were also identified as a major issue, with non-target species of insects, many needed to support ecosystems, in danger of being wiped out inadvertently, leading to problems in food production, air and water quality. Toxic chemicals are also posing a significant threat due to their long-lasting nature and ability to spread quickly. 

‘The pace that societies are producing and releasing new chemicals into the environment is not consistent with staying within a safe operating space for humanity,’ said Patricia Villarrubia-Gómez, a member of the study team, PhD candidate and research assistant at the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC). 

‘There’s evidence that things are pointing in the wrong direction every step of the way,’ said Professor Bethanie Carney Almroth at the University of Gothenburg, who was also involved in the team. ‘For example, the total mass of plastics now exceeds the total mass of all living mammals. That to me is a pretty clear indication that we’ve crossed a boundary. We’re in trouble, but there are things we can do to reverse some of this.’

Determining the ‘planetary boundary’ for chemicals is difficult for a number of reasons. Firstly, there is no record of levels prior to human impact in the way pre-industrial CO2 emissions are gauged. Secondly, a huge number of chemicals are licensed for use, some 350,000, but only a small percentage have been fully assessed for environmental safety. 

Those involved in the research have pointed to the importance of circular economies – where materials and products are reused rather than discarded – as imperative steps to reverse the trend. In addition, a more precautionary approach to regulation is necessary in terms of what substances are approved for use, where and when. 

In 2019, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) proposed widespread restrictions on the use of microplastics in cosmetics, paints, detergents, and medical equipment, but faced significant opposition from the chemicals industry. 

Photo credit: Dimitry Anikin

 

ShareTweetSharePinSendShare

Related Articles

Activism

As Opposition to an Alabama Medical Waste Treatment Facility Boils Over, a  Mysterious Facebook Page Weighs In

September 4, 2025
Activism

Leaving EPA Behind, Environmental Justice Pioneer Preaches Hope Amid Trump Cutbacks

September 2, 2025
Activism

How a Rock Band Bassist Is Remixing Climate Activism

September 1, 2025
Activism

The Woman Holding Chinese Mining Giants Accountable

August 24, 2025
Activism

Citing Environmental Concerns, Judge Orders Alligator Alcatraz to Wind Down Operations

August 22, 2025
Activism

Colombia’s President Called Out an Alabama Company’s Coal Exports to Israel. Now Alabamians Are Protesting

August 22, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

https://amberkinetics.com/

Energy Storage Solutions – AMBER KINETICS, the (Re)inventor of the (Fly)wheel

April 1, 2022

Glasgow schools set out to be plastic-free

March 26, 2022

Don't miss it

Energy

Challenge to Maryland Offshore Wind Project Stokes Concerns Among Legal Scholars

September 16, 2025
Fossil Fuels

Riding the High From Data Centers, the Grid Cannot Kick Its Gas Habit

September 14, 2025
Fossil Fuels

As Congress Takes a New Swing at Bipartisan Permitting Reform, Environmental Groups Are Calling Foul

September 13, 2025
Fossil Fuels

House Republicans’ Use of Little-Known Law to Strike Down Public Land Plans Could Be Pandora’s Box Moment

September 12, 2025
Energy

Department of Energy Allocates $134 million for Fusion Funding

September 11, 2025
Energy

Utility-Scale Solar Can Withstand Severe Hailstorms. Here’s How

September 11, 2025
Environmental Magazine

Environmental Magazine, Latest News, Opinions, Analysis Environmental Magazine. Follow us for more news about Enviroment and climate change from all around the world.

Learn more

Sections

  • Activism
  • Air
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Fossil Fuels
  • News
  • Uncategorized
  • Water

Topics

Activism Air Climate Change Energy Fossil Fuels News Uncategorized Water

Recent News

Challenge to Maryland Offshore Wind Project Stokes Concerns Among Legal Scholars

September 16, 2025

Riding the High From Data Centers, the Grid Cannot Kick Its Gas Habit

September 14, 2025

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.