Since coining the term microplastics 20 years ago on May 7 2004, Richard Thompson reflects on the progress being made to halt plastic pollution.
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But how the world will get to zero pollution is still uncertain – and production caps are untested.
Because waste pickers go through trash and leave behind everything without value, they know better than anyone which plastics should be eliminated.
The treaty focuses on ending plastic pollution, not eliminating the use of plastics. But some countries are more ambitious than others.
A central question remains unresolved in the draft treaty: Is plastic pollution basically a waste management problem, or can it be solved only with a cap on production?
Media coverage of the dangers of plastic pollution can distract from what is actually needed, says an author.
United Nations efforts to advance a global treaty on plastic pollution echo past multilateral agreements that tackled ozone layer depletion and acid rain.
Stringent measures are needed to prevent plastic pollution. But concerns about carbon leaching from plastic waste would be better aimed at emissions from producing more plastic in the first place.
Some of the world’s most threatened birds are exposed to plastic pollution – even far out to sea.
As a sustainability researcher, I know how quickly we could make big changes to reduce plastic pollution. Here’s what we – both individually and globally – should be doing more of, and what to avoid.
Better enforcement of existing international laws would be a much faster way of addressing plastic pollution from fishing vessels than waiting for a new treaty to be adopted.
Principais colaboradores
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Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business, Law and Art, Southern Cross University
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Professor in Law, University of Canterbury
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Professor of Marine Biology, University of Plymouth
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PhD Candidate in Seabird Ecology, University of Cambridge
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Seabird Science Officer, BirdLife International
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Associate Professor in Arts and Sustainability, University of Portsmouth
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Professor of Ocean Policy and Economy, University of Portsmouth
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Lead Researcher - Global Plastics Policy Centre, University of Portsmouth
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Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Johannesburg
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Graduate Student, University of Victoria
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Senior Scientist, Carbon Cycle Modeller, GNS Science
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Professor, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria
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Ending Plastic Waste Mission Director, CSIRO
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CSIRO
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Chair professor, University of Strathclyde
