Scientists are warning of ‘irreversible environmental damage’ if action is not taken to tackle the spread of microplastics.
Some 20 international researchers and scientists have contributed to a paper entitled Twenty years of microplastics pollution research – what have we learned?, which was published in the Science journal. Among the contributors is Professor Richard Thompson from the University of Plymouth, who first introduced the term ‘microplastics‘.
As the authors state, these microscopic fragments of plastic have been found in ecosystems around the world, from the depths of the ocean to the top of Mount Everest.
‘Persistent contaminants’
“After 20 years of research there is clear evidence of harmful effects from microplastic pollution on a global scale,” Thompson commented. “That includes physical harm to wildlife, harm to societies and cultures, and a growing evidence base of harm to humans. Added to that is the fact that microplastics are persistent contaminants, and once in the environment they are virtually impossible to remove.
“There are still unknowns, but during the 20 years since our first study the amount of plastic in our oceans has increased by around 50%, only further emphasising the pressing need for action.”
The research team, including Dr. Karen Raubenheimer from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong, emphasised that plastic pollution is now a widespread problem affecting not only the ocean but ecosystems globally.
Microplastics, once considered mainly a marine phenomenon, have since been found on land and even within human bodies. According to the paper, these packaging waste pollutants persist in the environment and are extremely difficult to remove, posing risks to wildlife, human health, and ecosystems.
The paper stresses that while national legislation has made some progress, it is insufficient to address the scale of the problem. The upcoming United Nations Plastic Pollution Treaty, which will undergo its final round of negotiations in November 2024, offers an opportunity to drive international action.
According to the authors, for the treaty to be effective, it must focus on reducing plastic production and limiting the release of microplastic particles throughout the plastic lifecycle.
‘Harmonised approach’
Dr. Raubenheimer and her colleagues argue for a unified global response, stating that no country can tackle the problem alone. Since the original study in 2004, around 7,000 studies have expanded the knowledge on microplastics, highlighting the need for urgent, collective action to mitigate their environmental and health impacts.
“We urgently need a harmonised approach to address the problem at source,” she commented. “This is an incredibly complex issue, one that requires a collective and global approach. No country or ecosystem is immune and no one country can solve this alone.”
This project supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production; Goal 14, Life Below Water; and Goal 17, Partnership for the Goals. Read the full paper here.
