I’ve wondered how far out we are from microorganisms and insects adapting to remove one of the biggest utilities of plastics, their durability. Crazy to think it’s taking less than a century for these organisms to begin to adapt.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 23 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Might have been even faster if world insect populations weren't crashing.

[–] sorghum@sh.itjust.works 17 points 4 days ago (1 children)

You could also draw a conclusion that plastic eating insects are evolving faster because of less competition and abundant plastic. It's amazing how life can be both fragile and resilient at the same time

[–] PhilipTheBucket@ponder.cat 16 points 4 days ago

Life is incredibly resilient. It’s been through way worse than us and it’s done fine.

The right conditions for any single species to keep existing in a safe and comfortable place, like the friendly green-blue paradise we were born on, are heartbreakingly fragile.

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