The Impact of Plastics

Humans have benefitted greatly from many inventions and developments in technology that have been designed to save time and make life easier. However, some of these improvements have created problems that were unforeseen when they were originally introduced. The six-volume “Impact on Earth” series examines both the pros and cons of several developments and not only offers some solutions to the negative aspects, but the series also discusses what is currently being done as well as plans for the future. Each of the titles is comprised of seven chapters along with a table of contents, a glossary, an index and a list of books and websites for further study. Besides the main body of the text, there are boxes entitled “Technology Solutions” and “Emergency” which provide additional information. “What Can I Do?” boxes encourage readers to think of practical solutions to common household problems, such as wasting energy. On each page, there are also statistics related to the topic, one example being that since 1970 there has been about a 90% increase of carbon dioxide emissions. “Your Turn”, the final chapter of each title, reinforces concepts by posing a question or problem related to the topic. Readers gather evidence, examine the results and propose solutions. Some examples include finding ways to reduce the amount of online energy use, household electricity and plastic waste. Abundant colour photographs and graphics add visual appeal and enhance the text.

Read collectively, the books give readers somewhat of a sense of doom with regard to the future of the planet unless more solutions are found to the problems people are facing globally, but the books’ message that each person, even a youngster, can play an important part in reducing the negative impact, offers hope. Some of the information requires more detail, such as providing more options for using food waste, while other information might be pure conjecture. (One example of this is the use of robots to remove weeds, pick fruit and check animals and crops for health issues. If these practices are currently being done, then the author should explain where they are taking place.) One minor flaw in the series is that it doesn’t challenge readers enough. Perhaps they should be asked to examine both sides of a possible solution to a problem. For instance, the authors mention a new type of food wrap made from cows’ milk. Is using plastic wrap worse than using a product made from milk when the cows themselves contribute to greenhouse gases? Or what about paper towels versus a reusable cloth for wiping countertops? Is the energy required to manufacture the paper towels more or less than the energy and water consumption required for laundering the cloth several times?

A free downloadable teacher’s guide is available. The three major activities, geared to a fifth-grade class, can be adapted for younger students. Firstly, the Going Green Museum invites students to examine a collection of 20 items in the classroom “museum” and to determine whether each of the items has a positive or a negative impact on Earth. Following their museum tour, the students reflect on what they have learned. Secondly, the students learn about debating; and finally, the students work in small groups to design an environmentally-friendly product. These activities incorporate many skills such as research and creative thinking and problem solving, just to name a few.

Of all of the titles in the “Impact on Earth” series, The Impact of Plastic has, perhaps, the most shocking statistics. Some of these include the fact that, since the 1950s, more than eight billion metric tons of plastic have been produced; 270 million metric tons are produced each year; more than eight trillion plastic microbeads are released each day into the U.S.’s water supply, 100,000 in a single shower. Though plastic has many positive uses, such as artificial limbs, currency bills, and childproof lids on medicine containers, only some kinds of plastic can be recycled. Single-use plastics account for 50% of all plastics made. Sadly, a great deal of plastic ends up in landfills and in the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, twice the size of Texas, has had a profound negative effect on wildlife. In The Impact of Plastic, readers will also learn about the many ways in which humans can reduce the amount of plastic that they use (although the suggestion to serve or wrap food in banana leaves is rather impossible for most people), government initiatives, and future plans for recycling materials.

There is much food for thought in these titles. Worthy of purchase, the “Impact on Earth” series, along with the activities in the teacher’s guide, will enhance a unit of study on environmental issues.