Visiting Paris? You may want to bring an umbrella for an unusual reason. For the first time ever, a plastic pollution weather forecast predicts that billions of microplastic particles will descend upon France’s capital, with 40 to 48 kilograms (88 to 106 pounds) of these insidious pollutants blanketing the city every day.

Source: Reactions/Youtube

These startling figures come from the Minderoo Foundation, an Australian research institute. If heavy rain hits the city, the quantity of microplastic “falling from the sky” could increase tenfold. Marcus Gover, head of plastics research at the Minderoo Foundation, hopes these findings will serve as a wakeup call, highlighting the damage these tiny plastic particles can inflict on our health and the environment.

Microplastics, defined as particles less than 5mm in diameter, are ubiquitous, found from the North Pole’s icy reaches to the ocean’s darkest depths. Alarmingly, the United Nations Environment Program estimates that plastic debris kills over a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals annually. Blue whales, the largest animals on our planet, consume up to 10 million pieces of microplastic every day.

Humans aren’t exempt from this widespread Pollution, with microplastics detected in blood, breast milk, and even placentas. Despite a lack of comprehensive data on their human impact, animal tests have linked chemicals in microplastics to increased risks of cancer, reproductive problems, and DNA mutations.

The Minderoo Foundation’s method for predicting plastic precipitation isn’t real-time but is instead based on lab analysis of samples collected in Paris from 2015 onwards. These studies revealed that the majority of plastic particles were nylon and polyester, likely originating from clothing, with others shed by vehicle tires.

With 175 nations agreeing last year to develop a treaty aimed at curbing plastic Pollution by 2024, the forecast for Paris could further emphasize the urgency of this global crisis.

If you’re concerned about plastic pollution, join the fight against it. Advocate for policies such as single-use plastic bans, “polluter pays” schemes, and taxes on new plastic production. Remember, every choice counts when it comes to sustainability. Take steps towards a plastic-free lifestyle and spread awareness in your communities. The planet needs us, now more than ever.

Solution Not Pollution by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• Recycling Actually Releases Loads of Microplastics, Study Finds
• This Important Arctic Organism Is Now Infested With Microplastics
• The Invisible Threat: How Microplastics in Everyday Items Can Impact Our Brains
• Unseen Invaders: How Microplastics are Infiltrating the Food We Eat
• Whales Consume Three Million Microplastics Per Day, New Study Finds

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!