November 18, 2025
2 minute read
Five important articles on plastic, energy and pollution
If you liked Beth Gardiner's article on oil's big bet on plastic, here are more books produced by Scientific American
The fossil fuel industry is shifting its focus to plastics, with major companies opening new oil refineries and other industrial plants to produce plastics from petrochemicals. Science journalist Beth Gardiner follows this story in our December issue.where you will meet affected communities and companies spending billions of dollars to control the future of plastic.
In addition to this reading, here are some books you can dive into and explore the wild world of waste management, plastics chemistry, and other examples of corporate espionage and drama.
Plastic Inc.: The Secret History and Shocking Future of Big Oil's Biggest Bet
by Beth Gardiner
Avery, February 2026
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Beth Gardiner's new book about oil's big bet on the future of plastics will be released in February 2026. She talks about the history that brought us here and the big money spent trying to convince us not to recycle, reduce our carbon emissions or worry about single-use plastics.
They poisoned the world: life and death in the era of eternal chemistry
by Mariah Blake
Corona, May 2025
In this fascinating book, investigative reporter Mariah Blake tells readers about the big industries that try to hide the dangers of forever chemicals and the tricks they use to keep toxins out of the public eye.
Waste Wars: The wild afterlife of your trash
Alexander Clapp
Little, Brown and Company, February 2025
Take a wild journey around the globe led by journalist Alexander Clapp. How plastic breaks down, melts or gets lost at sea in an attempt to get the trash out of sight as quickly as possible, no matter the cost.
Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World
Catherine Hayhoe
Published by Atria/One Signal, September 2021
Atmospheric scientist Katherine Hayhoe sets out an optimistic view of our planet's future in this book, which climate scientist and author Kate Marvel applauds for its straightforwardness and optimism in September 2021 issue Scientific American.
Citizen Coke: The Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism
Bartow J. Elmore
WW Norton, December 2016
If you're looking for a dramatic story of conspiracy and espionage, even more drama unfolds in this book by historian Bartow J. Elmore, who explores how a certain soda maker impacted the environment, our wallets, and our everyday purchasing decisions.
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