A novel hypothesis: Could water trapped in bottles and containers affect the hydrological cycle and climate?
Climate change in the Anthropocene era, does 2+2 equal 4?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18001169Keywords:
Bottled water, Global wraming, Ocean warming, Anthropogenic pressures, Novel hypothesesAbstract
The Anthropocene marks a period where human activity dominates Earth’s climate system. Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuel use, deforestation, and intensive agriculture have sharply increased greenhouse gases, raising global temperatures by an average of 1.19°C between 2014 and 2024—approaching the 1.5°C threshold. Atmospheric CO₂ has climbed from ~280 to over 420 ppm, intensifying ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and ecological disruption. This study introduces a new hypothesis: that disruptions in the natural water cycle also amplify climate change. Water trapped in bottled or packaged forms weakens carbon sinks and alters hydrological circulation. Industrialization and massive plastic bottle use reinforce this effect. Thus, climate mitigation should not only reduce emissions but also restore natural water flows. Key strategies include reducing packaged water, promoting clean tap water, expanding refill stations, and improving water treatment. Furthermore, it is recommended that the
storage and circulation of bottled and packaged water be better regulated and managed to minimize disruption to the natural water cycle. Protecting water’s natural flow is crucial for maintaining global climate stability.
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