Can we end our plastics addiction? We make more and more plastic every year. But it is affecting us in ways we cannot see, say scientists.
Now microplastics are changing the weather too
Can we end our plastics addiction? We make more and more plastic every year. But it is affecting us in ways we cannot see, say scientists.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>
The tiny pieces of plastic are less than five millimetres in length. You can hardly see them. But they have been found at the bottom of the ocean, the top of mountains and even in our blood.
Now scientists have a new idea about microplasticsMicroplastics are fragments of degraded plastic that are less than five millimetres in length. They are blown into the atmosphere and transported by ocean currents. . New research suggests that these very small pieces of plastic may even be changing the weather.
Microplastics are formed when bigger pieces of plastic wear down and break apart.
Scientists from Shandong University in China have found microplastics in cloud water samples at the top of Mount Tai, a mountain in eastern China. They think microplastics are quite common in the atmosphereThe layer of gases surrounding a planet or moon, held in place by that planet's gravity. Small planets and moons have weak gravitational fields, and therefore only a very thin atmosphere..
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>
Clouds play a big role in the Earth's climateThe weather over a long period of time. . They have an affect on rainfall and how hot it is. Microplastics, scientists say, could change how clouds form - although scientists say they still need to do more studies to find out exactly how plastic could change the weather.
Many are now asking what we can do about microplastic pollutionWhen harmful or dangerous things are put into the environment. . Some say we could look at new ideas, like plastic eating bacteriaA large group of single-cell microorganisms. Some cause disease in animals and humans. . But the first step, most say, is to stop using so much plastic.
The whole world will need to take part - because plastic can travel in the air and sea between countries. But not everybody agrees on cutting back on plastic. Lots of people still make a lot of money by making plastic to sell - and lots of people still want to buy items with plastic in them.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Can we end our plastics addiction?</strong></h5>
Yes! People know more than ever before about why it is bad to use so much plastic. We can start to cut down how much we use.
No! Plastic is a huge part of our lives. It is in almost everything. It will take a long time to change how we use it. Plus, there are many people who do not really want to.
Microplastics - Microplastics are fragments of degraded plastic that are less than five millimetres in length. They are blown into the atmosphere and transported by ocean currents.
Atmosphere - The layer of gases surrounding a planet or moon, held in place by that planet's gravity. Small planets and moons have weak gravitational fields, and therefore only a very thin atmosphere.
Climate - The weather over a long period of time.
Pollution - When harmful or dangerous things are put into the environment.
Bacteria - A large group of single-cell microorganisms. Some cause disease in animals and humans.
Now microplastics are changing the weather too

Glossary
Microplastics - Microplastics are fragments of degraded plastic that are less than five millimetres in length. They are blown into the atmosphere and transported by ocean currents.
Atmosphere - The layer of gases surrounding a planet or moon, held in place by that planet's gravity. Small planets and moons have weak gravitational fields, and therefore only a very thin atmosphere.
Climate - The weather over a long period of time.
Pollution - When harmful or dangerous things are put into the environment.
Bacteria - A large group of single-cell microorganisms. Some cause disease in animals and humans.