Volume V Special Issue VI December 2025

Name of Author : Dr. Asha S. Mathew

Title of the paper : Microplastics Contributing to Climate Change: Responsible Use of Plastics for a Better Future

Abstract: Contamination of the environment by microplastics poses a serious threat to the existence of life on earth. Various physical, chemical and biological processes gradually degrade plastic waste littered into the environment. Degradation of plastics leads to formation of microplastics which are small plastic particles of the size range 1 µm to 5 mm. Plastics are a heterogenous group of synthetic polymeric substances which find application in every walk of human life. However, plastics ultimately become a burden as they are synthetic chemicals which are resistant to natural modes of degradation. Migration of human population to previously uninhabited lands in search of livelihood has carried the burden of plastics and plastic waste into even remote areas. Microplastics contaminate not only the terrestrial ecosystem, but also reach aquatic bodies including marine and freshwater ecosystems. In addition to this, microplastics are also linked to climate change. Greenhouse gas emission from microplastics, interference on carbon sequestration by the oceans, accumulation of airborne particles are the main methods by which microplastics contribute to climate change. Climatic variations wrongly affect the biotic systems. Microplastics are also directly harmful to all forms of life, ranging from microbiome to planktons and higher organisms including human beings. Microplastics enter the living organisms by the unintentional consumption by animals or by inhalation. These substantial challenges imposed by the microplastics demands practical steps to mitigate the menace of microplastics. This review article offers an overview of microplastics and climate change and the measures to reduce the negative impacts caused by microplastics.

Keywords : Microplastics, Climate Change, Health Hazards, Measures for Mitigation.

DOI :

Page Number : 67-72