Apr 8, 2021, SustainabilityX magazine

Plastic pollution in the oceans is so widespread that it is becoming a major concern for environmentalists around the world. It is estimated

Apr 8, 2021, SustainabilityX magazine

Plastic pollution in the oceans is so widespread that it is becoming a major concern for environmentalists around the world. It is estimated that more than four million tons of plastic waste get into the ocean every year and the number is expected to rise in the next 10 years.

Recently, scientists discovered a huge load of microplastic frozen in the Arctic ocean increasing fear about the harm they may be causing to marine life and humans. They found around 12,000 pieces of microplastic hidden in a sample of one liter of ice seawater. The microplastics were so little that they could easily be ingested by tiny sea animals.

What can we do to tackle this global challenge? Here are five solutions that can help.

The world-renowned National Geographic Explorer in Residence Enric Sala launched the National Geographic Pristine Seas project in 2008 to explore and help inspire the protection of the last wild

The world-renowned National Geographic Explorer in Residence Enric Sala launched the National Geographic Pristine Seas project in 2008 to explore and help inspire the protection of the last wild places in the ocean, an absolutely critical last-ditch effort to prevent the complete unraveling of global marine ecosystems. Made up of an extraordinary team of scientists, conservationists, filmmakers and policy experts, Pristine Seas has helped protect 6 million square kilometers of ocean habitat (more than twice the size of India!). Partnering with 122 different organizations and agencies across 23 countries, its work has inspired the establishment of some of the largest marine reserves in the world. Enric discusses the vital importance of healthy oceans to humanity’s future and what Pristine Seas hopes to accomplish in the years ahead.

Enric Sala, Ph.D., a former professor who quit academia to become a full-time conservationist as a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, founded and leads Pristine Seas, a project that combines exploration, research, and media to inspire leaders to protect the last wild places in the ocean. To date, Pristine Seas has helped create 25 of the largest marine reserves on the planet, covering an area of more than 6.5 million square kilometers. Sala, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, has, in the past 15 years, earned numerous prestigious awards and honors for his conservation work.

This talk was delivered at the 2022 Bioneers Conference. Learn more at http://www.bioneers.org

Come join the conversation about groundbreaking new developments in the effort to recognize the legal rights of nature, including in Indigenous communities now drafting and adopting such laws. We

Come join the conversation about groundbreaking new developments in the effort to recognize the legal rights of nature, including in Indigenous communities now drafting and adopting such laws. We will discuss why communities and countries around the globe are considering this bold step and why treating nature as a living entity with legal rights can revolutionize life on Earth in a system in which courts can be used to enforce rights of rivers, mountains, and forests. Come listen to stories from communities on the front lines, as they mobilize to build a new environmental law system that actually protects the planet.

With: Mari Margil and Thomas Linzey of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights; Guy Reiter, Executive Director of Menikanaehkem – Community Rebuilders.

Sir David Attenborough has an update from Blue Planet II about our plastic consumption.

Sir David Frederick Attenborough; born 8 May 1926)is an English broadcaster and natural

Sir David Attenborough has an update from Blue Planet II about our plastic consumption.

Sir David Frederick Attenborough; born 8 May 1926)is an English broadcaster and natural historian. He is best known for writing and presenting, in conjunction with the BBC Natural History Unit, the nine natural history documentary series forming the Life collection that together constitute a comprehensive survey of animal and plant life on Earth.

Plastics are durable, light and versatile. However, they take up to 400 years to decompose. This will affect people’s lives for the next 16 generations.

Our excessive use of

Plastics are durable, light and versatile. However, they take up to 400 years to decompose. This will affect people’s lives for the next 16 generations.

Our excessive use of plastics is impacting ocean health and biodiversity. By 2050, there could be more plastics in the ocean than fish by weight.

Published on Oct 24, 2012