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[–] 36 points 8 months ago (10 children)

While this is awesome news (if true as stated), I’m afraid it will lead to a cessation of anti-pollution efforts and a return to the old thinking of “nature will handle it.”

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  • [–] 29 points 8 months ago (5 children)

    What if the opposite happens and "oh shit, all plastic in the world is getting eaten, it's worthless now!"

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  • [–] 14 points 8 months ago

    I’m afraid it will lead to a cessation of anti-pollution efforts

    The bacteria release carbon during the decomposition process. So this isn't a "solution" in any meaningful respect. It's an instance of evolution at work, as a surplus resource becomes a food source for innovative organisms.

    Also, we look at this as some kind of "clean-up". In reality, this is a threat to one of our most useful durable materials. It'll likely lead to the development of antiseptics to kill these bacteria colonies, as the last thing anyone with a hard plastic shell on their vehicle or appliance or equipment wants is a colony of plastic-eaters deteriorating it.

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  • [–] 1 point 8 months ago (2 children)

    I dont really follow.

    You think people are going to point to this as a reason not decarbon?

    Im sure that idiots will, but those people were never going to make any meaningful effort to decarbon anyway.

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  • [–] 0 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    I am continuously amazed how people keep confusing plastic pollution with carbon pollution. They are not even close!

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago

    Settle down mate. Im well aware that plastic pollution is not carbon pollution.

    The comment i replied to suggested that solving plastic pollution might discourage people from addressing pollution all together. Plastic and carbon are the most problematic pollutants.

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