UNEP's “From to Pollution to Solution” – A Closer Look...

The United Nation's Environment Program (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority setting the global environmental agenda, promoting implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the UN system, and serving as a staunch advocate for our global environment. Their mission provides leadership and encourages partnerships in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life, without compromising that of future generations (UNEP, 2021).

UNEP' s “From Pollution to Solution: A global assessment of marine litter and plastic pollution” report reveals the impact of marine litter and plastic pollution in the environment and their effects on the health of ecosystems, wildlife and humans.

This post is a sequel to my previous post entitled “Marine Ecosystems Theory, Research, and Application(s) - A Triple Threat” and is intended to amplify the “Key Findings” of UNEPs recent global assessments and to provide additional relevant information for those engaged or interested in marine litter and plastic pollution mitigation, re-processing, and/or prevention, and the conservation and protection of our precious marine ecosystems.

UNEP Key Findings:

The amount of marine litter and plastic pollution has been growing rapidly. Emissions of plastic waste into aquatic ecosystems are projected to nearly triple by 2040 without meaningful action.

Marine litter and plastics present a serious threat to all marine life, while also influencing the climate.

Human health and well-being are at risk.

There are hidden costs for the global economy.

Marine litter and plastics are threat multipliers.

The main sources of marine litter and plastic pollution are land-based.

The movement and accumulation of marine litter and plastics occur over decades.

Technological advances and the growth of citizen science activities are improving detection of marine litter and plastic pollution, but consistency of measurements remains a challenge.

Plastic recycling rates are less than 10 per cent and plastics-related greenhouse gas emissions are significant, but some solutions are emerging.

Progress is being made at all levels, with a potential global instrument in sight.
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https://www.unep.org/
https://www.unep.org/resources/pollution-solution-global-assessment-mar…
https://www.unep.org/interactive/pollution-to-solution/
https://www.unep.org/resources/publication/marine-plastic-debris-and-mi…