Maybe it could also run on some kind of metal street, to further reduce friction? 🤔

To make sure it doesn't destroy the road we could put metal in them also...

Delightfully devilish, Seymour.

Yes, imagine if there was a fast and safe way of transport. Something like made to run on steel bars in order to reduce friction. I don't know. I'm just imagining, I watch too much science fiction.

My city's metro system uses rubber tyres, :(

I've seen a similar number in a lot of proper scientific sources, so this article may be bunk, but the number is correct I think.

For example this article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171003 They claim 27,26% in China.

And this article: https://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/2024-0106.pdf They claim 24.88% in the EU and state it's among the biggest if not the biggest contributor to microplastics.

I'm all for debunking stuff, but about a quarter seems to be the currently accepted quantity to the best of our abilities to measure.

There is a bit of confusion between the amount tyres contribute into the ocean, how much into the ocean and waterways and how much in the environment as a whole. A lot of it ends up in the soil, so it doesn't contribute to plastics in the water, but still in the environment.

Bear in mind that the denominator is plastic pollution. Most plastic waste does not directly pollute the environment. If it is not recycled then it goes to landfills or incineration. Not ideal, but at least the damage is contained. (The bulk of ocean plastic comes from the rivers of poor countries without proper waste management.)

The issue with tyre microplastics is that it's all but impossible to channel the waste. It's the same with synthetic fabric: just washing it creates pollution that's really hard to control.

You want trains because they are good for the environment.

I want trains because chugga chugga choo choo.

We are not the same.

Those reusable grocery bags made from recycled plastic? Disintegrates into dust eventually. And in your household to while it does so.

Use either natural fiber or nylon(more durable and by default, PFAS free).

Paper bags, obviously

If all you bike owners drove unicycles we wouldn't be in this mess

Trains

The only thing I see amerikans taking 'urgent action' on is making sure a few select convicted criminals avoid doing any prison time.