Complex Coexistence
The term “Plastic Age” aptly characterizes modern civilization, highlighting plastic as a pivotal material in modern society. Much like the Stone Age and Iron Age marked significant stages in human advancement, the prevalence of plastic serves as a symbolic marker of human activity in this era. Plastic artifacts used today could one day become archaeological relics, chronicling the legacy of our time.
While plastic offers unparalleled convenience, it is also a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a catalyst for environmental crises such as microplastics and plastic smog. The dual nature of plastic underscores the inevitable interdependence between human progress and environmental impact.
The problem of plastics continues to intensify. To address this issue effectively, we must begin with an objective assessment of how human activities impact the environment and develop solutions based on these insights. Answering how much plastic we currently consume can serve as a crucial starting point for understanding the issue. So, how much plastic are we consuming today?
Plastic Consumption: Current Trends and Projections
“Plastic consumption is expected to triple by 2060.”
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts that global plastic consumption will triple by 2060, attributing this growth primarily to improvements in living standards. According to the OECD’s 2019 report, developed regions such as North America produce approximately 221 kg (9,487 lbs) per person annually, while Europe generates about 121 kg (267 lbs), and Asia about 68 kg (150 lbs). In stark contrast, Africa’s per capita waste stands at just 14.5 kg (32 lbs), reflecting significant regional disparities.
As plastic has become indispensable to modern civilization, economic growth has inevitably led to an increase in plastic consumption. Rising living standards drive higher consumption levels, directly contributing to greater plastic usage.
This trend is particularly evident in developing countries. The OECD report forecasts that plastic consumption in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa will increase threefold and sixfold, respectively. This surge is fueled by economic growth and efforts to emulate the consumption patterns of developed nations, mirroring their trajectory of increased plastic demand. The connection between economic development, improved living standards, and heightened plastic consumption presents a significant dilemma. How can we address this challenge?
Personal Change and Its Influence
The role of individuals in addressing the plastic crisis has gained increasing attention. While many people recognize the importance of environmental protection, this awareness often fails to translate into concrete action. This comes from a sense of helplessness—‘Can my small actions really make a difference?’
Yet, countless examples have shown that small actions can lead to significant change. Simple practices, such as using reusable tumblers or opting for shopping bags instead of plastic ones, can contribute to reducing plastic consumption. These individual actions have the potential to trigger a chain reaction of environmental protection, making personal practice a crucial starting point for solving environmental issues.
‘The global production of plastics is doubling. What can I do at this point?’ People are afraid that the first step they take will be useless. They are unconsciously afraid of failure.
However, the root of that feeling of helplessness lies in the lack of action.
It is difficult to know where to start. How can we overcome this challenge?
Theoretical models demonstrate that a single domino can knock over another twice its size, and in just 29 steps, a 1 cm domino could theoretically topple a 500-meter building.
Our small actions can become the first domino. Changes in the environment come from everyday choices.
Committing to a reusable tumbler or replacing plastic bags with reusable ones may seem trivial, but these small steps can create a ripple effect, inspiring others and fostering collective change.
What truly matters is unwavering determination and consistent effort. Overcoming helplessness and knocking over the first “domino,” even the most imposing challenges, like a metaphorical 500-meter building, can ultimately be dismantled. The power to create change lies closer than we think.
Each small domino we set into motion has the potential to be the spark that safeguards our planet.
Hope Built Together With ASEZ
ASEZ, the student volunteer group from the World Mission Society Church of God, envisions a world where no one is left behind while pursuing environmental protection.
The ideal world they dream of starts with raising awareness and encouraging active participation at an individual level. To make this vision a reality, ASEZ has made great efforts to create opportunities for everyone to get involved.
The individual change that ASEZ pays attention to can also be observed in the “Zero Plastic 2040” campaign, which ran until last November. Through initiatives such as the “Zero Challenge”—capturing small everyday actions on video—and “Zero Action,” where participants share their results, ASEZ is going beyond one-time environmental campaigns and focusing on collective, long-term change.
Their goal is to demonstrate that even small actions can defeat the helplessness we all feel and lead to significant change.
ASEZ’s efforts extend beyond short-term actions, pursuing lasting and sustainable transformation. Through collaboration with students globally, ASEZ is exploring practical solutions to environmental problems, including the plastic crisis. These efforts emphasize that even small individual changes can have a positive impact on the future of our planet. This moment marks a pivotal beginning for that change.
