MICROPLASTICS HINDER PLANT PHOTOSYNTHESIS, STUDY FINDS, THREATENING MILLIONS WITH STARVATION

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

Microplastic pollution is significantly cutting food supplies by damaging plants' ability to photosynthesize. Between 4% to 14% of the world's staple crops are currently estimated to be lost due to the pervasive particles. The effect could get worse as more microplastics enter the environment. The world is already facing a challenge to produce sufficient food sustainably, and it is also facing crop losses due to climate change. These adverse effects are highly likely to extend from food security to planetary health - reduced photosynthesis may also cut the amount of carbon dioxide taken from the atmosphere.