A recent study has revealed that microplastics are significantly impacting food production by impairing plants’ ability to photosynthesise, threatening the world’s food supplies. Researchers estimate that between 4% and 14% of global crops, including staple foods such as wheat, rice, and maize, are being lost due to microplastic pollution.
The study warns that the situation could worsen in the coming decades, potentially affecting an additional 400 million people, exacerbating global hunger. In 2022, hunger affected 700 million people worldwide, and the increasing presence of microplastics could further jeopardise food security, particularly in developing regions.
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Scientists cautioned that while the findings are concerning, more research is required to fully understand the impact of microplastics on food production. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the first to attempt to quantify how plastic pollution is harming plant growth.
Microplastics, derived from waste materials, enter the environment and disrupt plant growth by blocking sunlight, damaging soils, and carrying toxic chemicals. The particles have infiltrated ecosystems from Mount Everest to the deepest oceans, and are now found in human bodies, raising concerns about the long-term health effects.
The study found that microplastics have reduced the photosynthesis rate of terrestrial plants by approximately 12%, and marine algae by 7%. This disruption is believed to have resulted in significant reductions in global crop yields, with Asia being the hardest hit region. It was estimated that microplastic pollution causes a loss of between 54 million and 177 million tonnes of wheat, rice, and maize annually.
In addition to crop losses, the impact on marine life has also been alarming. The study reported a reduction in fish and seafood production, which could contribute to protein shortages for millions of people. The loss of fish in the oceans due to microplastics is estimated to range between 1 million and 24 million tonnes per year, making up about 7% of the global fish supply.
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Prof Huan Zhong, who led the research at Nanjing University, warned that the environmental impact of microplastics extends beyond food security, possibly reducing the amount of CO2 removed from the atmosphere by oceanic phytoplankton blooms, further contributing to climate change. The study’s findings are a wake-up call for action on plastic pollution.
While the study’s authors acknowledge the need for further data, they have called on governments to prioritise the reduction of plastic pollution to safeguard global food supplies. This comes amid ongoing international discussions on a UN treaty to curb plastic waste, with renewed talks scheduled for later this year. Experts urge that the treaty address microplastic pollution as a critical aspect of global environmental protection.
