Climate change and plastic pollution are interconnected global challenges. Rising temperatures and moisture alter plastic characteristics, contributing to waste, microplastic generation, and release of hazardous substances. Understanding and addressing these climate-driven effects is crucial. Global temperatures have risen by about 1°C above pre-industrial levels, with a current rate of 0.2°C per decade. The Paris Agreement's target of limiting warming to 1.5°C is likely to be exceeded soon. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged, with extreme temperatures recorded in 2022 and 2023. High temperatures increase evaporation, leading to more moisture in the atmosphere, which affects plastic properties. Polymer materials, including plastics and rubbers, are sensitive to temperature and moisture. Higher temperatures cause thermal expansion, reducing stiffness and other properties. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride can lose up to 20% of their stiffness with temperature increases. Rising temperatures also accelerate polymer degradation, leading to faster property loss and increased waste. Warmer climates increase the leaching of hazardous chemicals from plastics, posing risks to ecosystems and humans. Higher temperatures also accelerate microplastic formation, increasing their toxicity and environmental impact. Microplastics, due to their persistence and wide distribution, pose significant threats to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Climate change may also increase the demand for plastics, as higher temperatures lead to greater use of plastic components in appliances and infrastructure. This increased production and consumption exacerbate plastic pollution. A self-reinforcing cycle exists between climate change and plastic pollution, where climate change drives plastic demand, which in turn contributes to climate change. Addressing this requires a multi-dimensional strategy, including global policy, technological advances, improved waste management, and international collaboration. Measures such as banning single-use plastics, promoting a circular economy, and using alternative materials are essential to reduce environmental impacts and break the cycle of plastic pollution and climate change.Climate change and plastic pollution are interconnected global challenges. Rising temperatures and moisture alter plastic characteristics, contributing to waste, microplastic generation, and release of hazardous substances. Understanding and addressing these climate-driven effects is crucial. Global temperatures have risen by about 1°C above pre-industrial levels, with a current rate of 0.2°C per decade. The Paris Agreement's target of limiting warming to 1.5°C is likely to be exceeded soon. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged, with extreme temperatures recorded in 2022 and 2023. High temperatures increase evaporation, leading to more moisture in the atmosphere, which affects plastic properties. Polymer materials, including plastics and rubbers, are sensitive to temperature and moisture. Higher temperatures cause thermal expansion, reducing stiffness and other properties. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride can lose up to 20% of their stiffness with temperature increases. Rising temperatures also accelerate polymer degradation, leading to faster property loss and increased waste. Warmer climates increase the leaching of hazardous chemicals from plastics, posing risks to ecosystems and humans. Higher temperatures also accelerate microplastic formation, increasing their toxicity and environmental impact. Microplastics, due to their persistence and wide distribution, pose significant threats to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Climate change may also increase the demand for plastics, as higher temperatures lead to greater use of plastic components in appliances and infrastructure. This increased production and consumption exacerbate plastic pollution. A self-reinforcing cycle exists between climate change and plastic pollution, where climate change drives plastic demand, which in turn contributes to climate change. Addressing this requires a multi-dimensional strategy, including global policy, technological advances, improved waste management, and international collaboration. Measures such as banning single-use plastics, promoting a circular economy, and using alternative materials are essential to reduce environmental impacts and break the cycle of plastic pollution and climate change.