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A Brief History of How Plastic Has Changed Our World | National Geographic
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A Brief History of How Plastic Has Changed Our World | National Geographic

Plastic Revolution: From Invention to Pollution

The transcript discusses the evolution of plastic from its inception during World War II to its widespread use in modern society, highlighting the environmental consequences and societal impact of our plastic addiction.

Plastic's Emergence in American Life

  • Plastic was not a significant part of American life before 1950.

Post-War Expansion of Plastics

  • After World War II, plastic companies sought new markets for their products.
  • Plastic found various applications in peacetime living, transforming from protecting cargo to everyday items like food storage containers.

Rise of Single-Use Plastics and Environmental Concerns

  • Americans shifted from a "make it do or do without" mentality to embracing single-use plastics.
  • By the '60s, global plastic production surged by 400%, raising concerns about health effects and environmental pollution.

Environmental Impact and Legislation

  • Plastic waste accumulation led to landfill shortages and marine pollution incidents like the Garbage Barge in 1987.
  • San Francisco's ban on plastic bags in 2007 aimed to address litter problems caused by single-use plastics.

Ongoing Plastic Consumption and Future Projections

  • Despite awareness of environmental harm, the US consumed around 100 billion plastic bags annually in 2014.
  • Scientists predict that by 2050, nearly all seabird species will be impacted by plastic ingestion due to current consumption rates.
Video description

We’re addicted to plastic. But how did the world become so dependent on it in the first place? ➡ Subscribe: https://on.natgeo.com/4p5A0D6 About National Geographic: National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible. Get More National Geographic: Official Site: https://nationalgeographic.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/natgeo Facebook: https://facebook.com/natgeo Threads: https://threads.com/@natgeo X: https://x.com/NatGeo LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/national-geographic TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@natgeo Reddit: https://reddit.com/user/nationalgeographic Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/natgeo Think about it: What would you do without garbage bags or credit cards or headphones? Plastic has been around for only about 150 years, but it’s hard to imagine life without it. This video investigates how it became a such an important part of modern life and when the tide began to turn against it. This story is part of Planet or Plastic?—our multiyear effort to raise awareness about the global plastic-waste crisis. http://natgeo.com/plastic Learn what you can do to avoid single-use plastics, and take our pledge to reduce your own usage. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/plasticpledge/ A Brief History of How Plastic Has Changed Our World | National Geographic https://youtu.be/jQdBag_p6kE National Geographic https://www.youtube.com/natgeo