Plastics: As Dangerous as Climate Change, But With a Solution
*By Conor White*
*For more information, visit National Geographic's Planet or Plastic campaign at [http://natgeo.com/planetorplastic](http://natgeo.com/planetorplastic).*
Decades of plastic consumption and the resulting waste has created a global accumulation of non-biodegradable materials that is choking the planet's waterways, as serious a problem as climate change, according to National Geographic. There is, however, one clear difference: Earth has an answer to its plastic problem.
By using silicone or metal straws, reusable water bottles, and canvas grocery bags instead of those made from plastic, consumers can ease the accumulation of plastic waste that's clogging the world's oceans, said Jenna Jambeck, a National Geographic explorer and associate professor at the University of Georgia.
"These sound really sort of mundane, but they're not," Jambeck said in an interview Monday with Cheddar. "They actually do make a difference, and people can choose the planet over plastic."
Each year, more than 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. According to some estimates, that plastic could remain in marine environments for 450 years or longer. National Geographic is hoping to reduce that number with its new ["Planet or Plastic?"](http://natgeo.com/planetorplastic) initiative, encouraging consumers to stop using single-use plastics.
"It can be empowering for people to know that actually, their choices do matter," Jambeck said. "Through this research, if you show that those individual actions that we take every day, taken collectively, or thinking about them over time, they definitely matter."
In 2015, Jambeck and a group of scientists calculated the amount of plastic waste finding its way into the planet's oceans annually, which became the impetus for the National Geographic initiative. It is featured in the June issue of National Geographic.
The 'Planet or Plastic?' initiative includes [tips](https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/plastics-facts-infographics-ocean-pollution) for consumers to reduce their use of plastics and a [pledge](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/plasticpledge/?beta=true) to make a difference.
Jambeck said consumers should not to give up if they happen to forget their reusable water bottle or grocery bag.
"Be sort of forgiving with yourself, because every time that you remembered, you actually had an impact," she said.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/national-geographic-launches-planet-or-plastic-initiative).
A new report from Dr. Michael Worobey alleges that it is likely that COVID-19 originated from a raccoon dog at the Wuhan live animal market in China. While his report does not rule out the coronavirus could have escaped from a lab, Worobey's evidence points to a natural origin.
Jill and Carlo are back to cover the latest in the Rittenhouse trial, new information on the origins of Covid, return-to-office and more.
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Over the weekend, Russia fired a missile at one of its own satellites, triggering an explosion that launched thousands of pieces of shrapnel through space and forced the astronauts aboard the International Space Station to shelter in place. Senior Writer from Space.com Chelsea 'Foxanne' Gohd, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Gerald Comissiong, CEO of Todos Medical, joins None of the Above to discuss why we're seeing surges of COVID-19 cases in Europe, the potential for a winter surge of COVID-19, the benefits of high vaccination rates in a community, and the coming COVID treatment pills.
Cognitive healthcare platform BrainCheck recently raised $10 million in a Series B round. The platform offers neurologists a new way to detect and care for brain disorders like Alzeheimer's, and brain injuries like concussions. BrainCheck CEO Yael Katz joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Ice Barrel CEO breaks down the physical and mental health benefits to cold therapy training; Dishcraft CEO explains how its robotics is transforming the role of a dishwasher in restaurant kitchens; A look at Curiosity Stream's original series 'The Year That Rocked The World.'
Jill Wagner is joined by Baker to talk about kids and vaccines: we finally know how many young kids are getting vaccinated. Plus, Democrats are working on a Plan B for paid family leave. And the salad chain Sweetgreen goes public.
A breakthrough deal between the U.S. and China when it comes to climate has finally been reached. The two countries have pledged to work together to curb carbon emissions. Amy Harder, executive editor at Cipher, joined Cheddar News to discuss more.
Joey Roulette, space reporter for The New York Times, joined Cheddar to break down the intense backlash Russia is seeing after its missile test sent destroyed a non-functioning satellite and sent thousands of pieces of debris potentially at the ISS, endangering astronauts onboard. He said while the blast happened days ago, there is still some risk to the station as the space junk threat remains. So far, the U.S., NATO, and the European Union have condemned Russia for the test.
Jill is joined by “Friend of the Pod” Mosheh Oinounou to talk booster shots, and whether “fully vaccinated” will eventually mean three shots, not two. Plus, the latest on the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. And the research is in: we know now the perfect way to hug. Also, Jill and Mosheh debate whether Airpods are passé.
