Microplastics Everywhere: Experts Demand Global Treaty Before It’s Too Late
London, UK – A new report published in the journal Science warnsof the urgent need for global action to address the escalating plastic pollution crisis. The report, written by an international team of experts, calls for a binding international treaty thatincludes strict regulations on plastic production and microplastic emissions to prevent severe environmental damage.
The report, marking the 20th anniversary of the first study tocoin the term microplastics, highlights the growing evidence of the pervasiveness and harmful impacts of these tiny plastic particles. Microplastics have been found in every corner of the planet, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains,contaminating food chains and even human bodies.
After 20 years of research, there is clear evidence that microplastic pollution is having harmful effects globally, said Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, lead author of the report andDirector of the International Marine Litter Research Unit at Plymouth University. This includes physical harm to wildlife, social and cultural harm, and growing evidence of harm to humans. Moreover, microplastics are a persistent pollutant that is virtually impossible to remove once it enters the environment.
The report emphasizes that existing national legislation is insufficient totackle the global challenge of plastic pollution. The upcoming fifth round of negotiations for the UN Plastics Treaty in November 2024 presents a crucial opportunity for concerted international action.
The experts argue that any effective treaty must include a commitment to drastically reduce plastic production while simultaneously implementing measures to minimize microplastic emissions throughout the entire plastic lifecycle. Failure to do so, they warn, could lead to a high risk of irreversible environmental damage.
The report also underscores the importance of incorporating social science perspectives into the solution.
Plastic pollution is entirely a human-made problem, said Professor Sabine Pahl, Professor of Urban and Environmental Psychology at the Universityof Vienna and Honorary Professor at Plymouth University. This is why we need to include a social science perspective, looking at how people perceive the risks and benefits of plastics, and other drivers of policy support and change.
The report highlights the staggering scale of the problem. An estimated 40 million tonnes of microplastics arereleased into the environment annually, a figure projected to double by 2040.
The authors stress that the scientific evidence is clear: a unified global strategy is necessary to address the current plastic pollution crisis. They argue that a binding international treaty, with strong commitments to reducing plastic production and microplastic emissions,is the most effective way to mitigate the devastating consequences of this global environmental challenge.
We have a responsibility to act now, said Professor Thompson. The time for inaction is over. We need a global treaty to protect our planet and future generations from the devastating effects of plastic pollution.
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