How scientists are working to combat plastic pollution in the ocean?

• Only about 9 percent of plastics actually get recycled, with the rest winding up in landfills and oceans.

• Scientists are progressing in their research and development of biodegradable plastic alternatives and ways to turn plastic waste into energy.

• We can help reduce the amount of plastic entering our ocean and keep it clean and healthy for generations to come.

In recent years, ocean science has become increasingly focused on the issue of plastic pollution in our ocean. Scientists worldwide are working hard to develop innovative ideas and studies to reduce plastic pollution. With the sheer amount of plastic waste entering the sea, it is essential to create solutions to combat this environmental hazard.

The first step in combating the plastic pollution issue is to determine the sources of the plastic. Scientists are using satellite imagery and GPS tracking to pinpoint where plastic is entering the oceans from. For instance, a method developed by the University of Michigan maps the concentration of ocean microplastics across the world using satellite data. The researchers used data from eight microsatellites that are part of NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) mission. Scientists are also analysing water samples to determine the types of plastic that are present and the levels of contaminants.

Another area of research for ocean scientists is developing ways to turn plastic waste into energy, which can be used to power homes and businesses. One of the most popular processes in converting plastic waste into fuel is called pyrolysis. The resulting products can then be used for a variety of purposes, such as producing fuel, or in the production of new items. In a series of lab experiments, researchers in Singapore successfully converted plastic into formic acid — a chemical that can be used to generate electricity in power plants and electric cars.

Additionally, scientists are working to create a global alliance to reduce plastic pollution. Through the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, science is promoted as a unique way to improve conditions for sustainable development of the ocean. Scientists from all around the world are invited to meet and exchange their best practices and latest discoveries. This collaboration will bring together experts from various disciplines to tackle the issue from multiple perspectives.

If these innovations and research are highly important to understand how to recycle or collect plastic already produced, NGOs and communities have a significant role to prevent plastic reaching the ocean. To turn plastic waste into energy and other valuable products, to prevent plastic pollution from entering our oceans, and to develop methods of collecting and recycling plastic waste, we are all working towards a future where the environment is free from plastic pollution.

In the context of World Ocean Day (WOD) 2022, which theme this year is “Revitalization: collective action for the ocean”, Zero Plastic Ocean reaffirms its commitment to contribute and collaborate for a sustainable ocean management.

Figures from the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2019, show that the ocean’s warming has more than doubled from 1993 to now than the previous twenty-five years. The warmer the water, the less oxygen can dissolve in it. This phenomenon is exacerbated by agricultural pollution and the proliferation of dead zones – areas deprived of oxygen and deserted by marine species.

These problems result not simply from human activity but also from governance failure. The ocean, when considered as a whole, cannot be defined solely as either a state-governed public good, nor as a commodity or private good. Thus, tackling ocean challenges necessitates the involvement of a variety of actors with complementary expertise and backgrounds.

As this World Ocean Day aims to “shedding attention on the communities, ideas, and solutions working together to conserve and revitalize the ocean and everything it nourishes.”, a worldwide coalition is needed to ensure marine resources preservation. Scientists, policymakers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must join forces to enhance climate change adaptation. From small-scale fisheries management to coastal ecosystem protection, many solutions can be implemented to preserve the planet’s lung.

Promoting sustainable plastic governance, leading to the disparition of plastic litter in the oceans, is our priority at Zero Plastic Ocean (ZPO). The current governance implemented is fragmented and leaves gaps so large that up to 13 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year. Around the world, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, while up to five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year.

Through our certifications, giving value to all type of abandoned plastic waste at risk on ending in the oceans (Ocean-Bound Plastic, OBP) and supporting appropriate management of plastics; ZPO supports and promotes the removal of potential ocean contaminants.

Since 8^th of June 2020, 2 years after the launch of our OBP Certification program, more than 57 companies from 20 countries have been certified. In the plastic governance promoted by ZPO, collectors can sell their collect OBP to recyclers or sell OBP credits for the non-recyclable plastic waste, ensure all OBP can be collected and removed from the environment while consumers benefit from OBP Neutral or OBP recycled products. This virtuous cycle is paramount to preserving shorelines and coasts while promoting sustainable production and consumption.

Around the world, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often play a significant role in environmental and social aspects. We are proud to take part in collective action for the ocean by working with other NGOs, industries, audit organizations and citizens. Successful partnerships arose from the growing recognition of the importance of joining work and acting as one change driver: revitalizing the ocean starts with encouraging every stakeholder to network and implement shared solutions.

The seventh Our Ocean Conference concluded in Palau with 410 commitments worth $16.35 billion. Focusing on six Areas of Action, the conference convened partners from across the globe to identify solutions to manage marine resources, increase the ocean’s resilience to climate change and safeguard its health for generations to come.

Albeit strongly affected by human activities, the ocean and its ecosystems are suffering the adverse effects of climate change and intense human activities. While bilateral and multilateral development finance have been flowing into ocean-related activities over the last years, only a bold global commitment can help achieve Agenda 2030.

Since 2014, Our Ocean Conference has been implemented to commit to concrete and significant actions to protect the ocean. In 2022, the seventh conference was hosted by the Republic of Palau and the United States with the final aim to demonstrate how blue financing can sustain ocean conservation and development.

It highlighted the importance of ocean-based climate solutions in keeping the 1.5-degree target within reach and improving global climate resilience. The event also featured 22 side events on issues from marine protected areas and blue foods to clean shipping and ocean-climate finance.

Since the first Our Ocean Conference, stakeholders garnered more than 1,400 commitments worth approximately $91.4 billion and protecting more than five million square miles of the ocean. This year, the conference made it possible to strengthen the commitments of countries and key stakeholders, resulting in the following commitments:

• Climate: 89 commitments worth $4.9 billion
• Sustainable fisheries:60 commitments worth $668 million
• Sustainable blue economies: 89 commitments worth $5.7 billion
• Marine protected areas:58 commitments worth $1.3 billion
• Maritime security: 42 commitments worth $358 million
• Marine pollution: 71 commitments worth $3.3 billion

More details: https://ourocean2022.pw/

To many, COP 26 has been a failure to mobile the resources needed to preserve our ocean.

If the ocean was mentioned in the preamble of the Glasgow Pact, noting “the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including forests, the ocean and the cryosphere…”, United Nations’ Members States did not take coercive decisions to preserve our blue resource.

We have all seen it! A new iconic movie of Tuvalu’s foreign minister Simon Kofe delivering a speech thigh-deep in seawater highlighted the impacts of climate change on the ocean. If the ocean was mentioned in the preamble of the Glasgow Pact, noting “the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including forests, the ocean and the cryosphere…”, United Nations’ Members States did not take coercive decisions to preserve our blue resource.

To many, COP 26 has been a failure to mobile the resources needed to preserve our ocean. Pacific delegates condemned a ‘monumental failure’ that leaves islands in peril, and ocean advocates asserted that the international treaties required to protect marine environments were not adopted.

Although the Paris Agreement sets a target of limiting average global warming to well below 2℃ above pre-industrial levels (and aims to keep it at 1.5℃), it does not set a target for limiting ocean pH change. Reinforcing action at the national level to integrate ocean and climate action in policies is more than needed, and only a few ocean-focused announcements have been made:

• Seychelles pledged to include the blue economy and ocean adaptation in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC);
•  19 countries signed up to a shipping decarbonisation pledge aligned with the Paris Agreement;
• Marine ecosystems were recognised as “carbon sinks” in Article 38 of the final decision of Glasgow Pact;
• Public and private interests teamed up when the UK and Canada and businesses like Google, Deutsche Bank and AXA promised major investments in ocean protection and a blue economy.

In ocean conservation, successful efforts are the results of collaborative actions. In 2021, the ocean is still suffering from climate change which will lead to alterations in climate patterns around the world. Without international recognition of the ocean’s role, we won’t be able to deliver a healthier planet to future generations.

Know more about OBP certifications : https://www.obpcert.org

In August 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) launched its Sixth Assessment Report, highlighting the consequences of climate change on the ocean, the coastlines and coastal communities. What are the key findings of this report?

In an effort to help increase international ambition towards the protection of the environment, the IPCC launched a new report featuring the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system. The report projects that climate changes will increase in all regions, affecting the ocean and marine resources. Large-scale changes in oceanic systems (temperature and acidification) will cause damages to livelihoods, cultural identity and health for coastal communities at 1.5°C.

Key findings of the report mentioned that:

• Abrupt climate change events could contribute an additional 1 metre of sea rise
  level.
• Marine heatwaves will continue to increase in frequency, duration and intensity.
• The chemistry of the ocean is changing: oxygen levels have dropped which can
  formd ead zones where marine life cannot be sustained.
• Ocean warming dominates the energy inventory change.

As a matter of fact, human activities directly impact climate changes, such as the production and mismanagement of plastic waste. According to the IPCC, the production and incineration of plastic will pump more than 850 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. The infiltration of microplastics into the ocean also disrupts its capacity to act as a natural carbon sink.

Acting to protect our coasts and coastal communities from the effect of climate change is more than needed. At Zero Plastic Oceans, we are committed to restore our rivers and shorelines through the collection of ocean bound plastic, as well as the recycling of plastic waste. These measures will help to ban plastic pollution and, in the long term, the production of virgin plastic.

Know more about OBP certifications : https://www.obpcert.org

 

The World Economic Forum promoted this historical year as the ‘super year for the ocean’. Since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, various worldwide initiatives have been implemented to protect our shared ocean. Among them, addressing marine plastic pollution is a priority.

In May 2020, reaffirming the need to improve the condition of coastal and marine ecosystems, Friends of Ocean Action and a coalition of over 65 ocean leaders published ‘’The Ocean Super Year Declaration’’ during the World Economic Forum. This declaration focuses on a shared vision of climate action, promoting both ocean knowledge and national legislation as means to protect the ocean.

Since the definition of SDG 14 and the proclamation of global goals, there has been limited progress on managing marine plastic waste and increasing the recyclability of plastic packaging. As ocean advocates claim for the development of a coordinated and collaborative action plan to protect marine resources, global policies are still needed to regulate plastic pollution.

According to OECD, between 14 to 18% of waste plastics generated globally are collected for recycling and 24%i s incinerated. The 58% left either remain uncollected or ends up in illegal landfills to make its way into rivers, and eventually the ocean. To tackle this issue, regulations must be promoted by national and local governments, including the legal definition of plastic waste and an appropriate management of it.
As part of these regulations, a focus must be applied to the Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP), a plastic waste located within 50km from the coast. Indeed, this plastic does not necessarily have to end in landfills, it can also be reused and recycled into new products. Being both a waste and a resource, OBP recycling can help to foster new economic models based on a circular economy.

In line with the ‘’super year of the ocean’’, initiatives that address marine pollution through an administrative and legal framework are welcome to enhance collaboration and joint projects.The Ocean Bound Plastic certifications are part of this global movement and awareness: fighting climate change can only happen with the implementation of a global coalition.
Know more about the super year by clicking here