Solutions

In many ways, it is impossible to reverse the progression of either modernism or friction mechanics. However, it is even more unjust and irresponsible if we acknowledge humanity's past mistakes (colonialism, racism, segregation) and feel powerless, and don't act. Even though the process of fixing systematic issues that promoted inequality would be slow and tedious, I believe that it is through these actions that one can help drive long-lasting change that will benefit society and Mother Nature. Some of the solution that we can help initiate and persuade governmental bodies:

1. Develop, Systemize, and Transition into Circular Economy

With only 18 to 28% of recyclable plastic recovered and recycled, transforming how plastic is used to create a circular economy that only seeks to design less environmentally damaging products but also creates environmentally conscious consumption (1). With governmental support and higher economic incentives, many global brands and retailers have made commitments and gave pledges to make their plastic packaging 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025 (1). This would help both the public and private sectors change their paradigm on plastic--to be it a valuable resource and economic opportunity rather than waste. The World Bank Group has designed a roadmap for "plastic-smart investment" (1). This plan would be used to develop "innovative economic instruments, creating incentive mechanisms and identifying investment across major economic sectors that would reduce plastic waste"(1). By allowing upcycled plastic products to appear more economically attractive than virgin plastic, demand from local market demand for recyclables would rise and making upcycled plastic consumption a norm (1). According to Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand, "Mismanaged plastic waste across Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand is threatening key economic sectors such as tourism and fisheries, and impacting livelihoods and infrastructure, but there is strong government momentum in these countries to identify critical policies, and craft roadmaps to strengthen demand for all recycled plastic resins, level the playing field for global and domestic companies, and help drive a circular economy for plastics … These studies show that there is an untapped opportunity to reap environmental and economic benefits with clear and complementary interventions from the private and public sector" (1).

2. Government induced incentives on Green Alternative Product and Clean Technology

Governments must increase funding for plastic alternative research, development, and manufacture. Many plastic-look-alikes created from other waste such as algae, tapioca starch, and fish gelatin have been studied to be great alternatives as they simultaneously reduce the amount of PET used as well as being easily biodegraded. However, many of these plastic alternatives are not widely available or used due to their higher production cost and lower economic competitiveness when compared to traditional plastics. This means that these alternatives could replace plastic with government subsidies and trademarks in people's everyday lives.

Similar to the previous solution, the government should urge private businesses to adopt energy-efficient technologies. Currently, in Thailand and Malaysia, low-carbon technologies are declining in cost like solar and wind energy, which boost investment in local manufacturing (2). Even larger global companies from China, the US, and the European Union are seeking to invest in clean technology and solar panels that help generate renewable energy (3). Many have entered the race of energy politics as countries that are able to develop efficient green energy would monopolize the energy market as global initiatives and governments began rejecting Fossil fuels and embracing alternative energies (3). However, incentives like tax breaks, duty-free imports, and preferential loans, and easier access to financing and funding will need to be implemented to raise the number and support for energy-efficient technologies (3).

From the LHS of the diagram above, the list of the top 10 countries that are currently developing and generating electricity from solar with China on top (178 TWh) (3). While the gradient (the darker shade of red = higher solar radiance = high income of solar power) of the map indicates the different levels of solar radiance each country received according to the average measurement between 1997-2009 (3).

From the LHS of the diagram above, the list of the top 10 countries that are currently developing and generating electricity from the wind with China leading (366 TWh) (3). While the gradient (the darker shade of blue = higher wind speed = high income of wind power) of the map indicates the different levels of wind speed each country received according to the average measurement between 1997-2009 (3).

3. Stricter Policies and Laws to control and lower Pollution and GHGs Levels

Stricter policies regarding limiting the number of greenhouse gases released as well as pollution and contamination from the manufacturing process should be imposed. Such policies include holding producers and the importance of plastic goods responsible for their plastic waste, carbon capping facilities, increasing taxes for carbon-intensive products, and limiting the destruction of natural resources for the sake of GDP (4). The idea of holding GDP and economic growth over public and environmental health must be changed as current GDP numbers do nothing to project long-term growth, nor does it accurately reflect the country's current developments (4). There should be a new metric, similar to that of HDI (Human Development Index) and GPI (Genuine Progress Indicator) indexes, that can grade each country's economy equitably, including sustainability, public health, and social justice (4).

4. Increased Value of Natural Resources (to be more than just means of capital)

Publicize the value of forests and other natural materials as a conservation force rather than just economic trading products (5). Natural resources are not supposed to be capitalized or belong to a certain group of people, but rather sustained to help maintain the livelihood of millions of people and promote their self-reliance to decrease the need for government support (5). This would increase the government budget to solve other social problems and decrease inequality that currently resides in many countries' societies (5).

From these two graphs, there are three predictions based on our own decisions regarding plastic pollution. The first scenario, the grey line, is if everyone and every country completely stop littering plastic into the ocean by 2020 (6). The second scenario, the blue line, describes the prediction if we start reducing, not stop, plastic litter during 2020 (6). And the last scenario, the red line, is indicative of our choice if plastic pollution still grows according to historic growth rates (6).

In every case, whether it is the first, the amount of plastic pollution will continue to increase (6). But particularly for microplastic, because the macroplastic would be broken down to microplastics over time, which, in itself, is harder to remove (6). While in the macroplastic case, the number of debris would still increase for around a decade as there are some macroplastic buried or sunk deep beneath the water surface and on shores that would still continue to exist in the ocean (this is assuming that we don't physically remove any plastic from the ocean) (6).

From these two graphs, it is clear that we all must stop litter plastic into the ocean as fast as possible by managing waste properly, especially in low-to-middle income countries (6). Second, we must put in the effort to physically remove and recapture plastic that is already in the ocean and shorelines (6).