Carlin was put up as a joke for pete's sake. He is a comedian after all....But it is relevant as to how the earth cares not for anything we do. Not that it even has consciousness in the first instance. It will however, adjust as necessary, although not necessarily in ways that suit humans.
I have no doubt that in the fullness of time, microbes which exist in every extreme environment, will adjust to consume plastic..... simply because it is there and can be utilised.
