Plastic pollution: about time to unify research methods and demand systemic changes
The issue of plastic pollution is recognised as a pervasive and ubiquitous problem which can pose a threat to ecosystems worldwide and potentially affect human health. In this perspective, we selected the latest research that identifies potential impacts beyond individual species to draw attention o...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1232974/full |
| _version_ | 1797778316927696896 |
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| author | Christina Carrozzo Hellevik Jakob Bonnevie Cyvin |
| author_facet | Christina Carrozzo Hellevik Jakob Bonnevie Cyvin |
| author_sort | Christina Carrozzo Hellevik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The issue of plastic pollution is recognised as a pervasive and ubiquitous problem which can pose a threat to ecosystems worldwide and potentially affect human health. In this perspective, we selected the latest research that identifies potential impacts beyond individual species to draw attention on wider biogeochemical cycles and the most fundamental biological processes we all depend on, namely, breathing, feeding and carrying offspring. We highlight the need for uniform research methods, giving examples of protocols and indicator species that should be evaluated by the research community for their potential wide adoption. We stress the need for systemic changes and our role as scientific community to demand changes proportionate to the severity and implications of our findings. We further explore the push and pull mechanisms between researchers and policymakers in relation to the global environmental challenges such as plastic pollution. Finally, we recommend a path of action inspired by the global action taken to address the ozone layer depletion by banning chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:16:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7e5cc490fd0b4c059385b4cff77b44d8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:16:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-7e5cc490fd0b4c059385b4cff77b44d82023-07-17T07:08:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2023-07-011110.3389/fenvs.2023.12329741232974Plastic pollution: about time to unify research methods and demand systemic changesChristina Carrozzo Hellevik0Jakob Bonnevie Cyvin1Department of International Business, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Ålesund, NorwayDepartment of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, NorwayThe issue of plastic pollution is recognised as a pervasive and ubiquitous problem which can pose a threat to ecosystems worldwide and potentially affect human health. In this perspective, we selected the latest research that identifies potential impacts beyond individual species to draw attention on wider biogeochemical cycles and the most fundamental biological processes we all depend on, namely, breathing, feeding and carrying offspring. We highlight the need for uniform research methods, giving examples of protocols and indicator species that should be evaluated by the research community for their potential wide adoption. We stress the need for systemic changes and our role as scientific community to demand changes proportionate to the severity and implications of our findings. We further explore the push and pull mechanisms between researchers and policymakers in relation to the global environmental challenges such as plastic pollution. Finally, we recommend a path of action inspired by the global action taken to address the ozone layer depletion by banning chlorofluorocarbons (CFC).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1232974/fullplastic pollutionmarine plasticterrestrial ecosystemswicked problembiogeochemical cyclesplanetary boundaries |
| spellingShingle | Christina Carrozzo Hellevik Jakob Bonnevie Cyvin Plastic pollution: about time to unify research methods and demand systemic changes Frontiers in Environmental Science plastic pollution marine plastic terrestrial ecosystems wicked problem biogeochemical cycles planetary boundaries |
| title | Plastic pollution: about time to unify research methods and demand systemic changes |
| title_full | Plastic pollution: about time to unify research methods and demand systemic changes |
| title_fullStr | Plastic pollution: about time to unify research methods and demand systemic changes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Plastic pollution: about time to unify research methods and demand systemic changes |
| title_short | Plastic pollution: about time to unify research methods and demand systemic changes |
| title_sort | plastic pollution about time to unify research methods and demand systemic changes |
| topic | plastic pollution marine plastic terrestrial ecosystems wicked problem biogeochemical cycles planetary boundaries |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1232974/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT christinacarrozzohellevik plasticpollutionabouttimetounifyresearchmethodsanddemandsystemicchanges AT jakobbonneviecyvin plasticpollutionabouttimetounifyresearchmethodsanddemandsystemicchanges |