̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - United Nations

Scientists warn of ‘invisible threat’ of microplastics as global treaty nears completion

sc604 — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:50:47 +0000

Even if global production and pollution of new plastic is drastically reduced, scientists, writing in the journal Nature Communications, say that legacy plastics, the billions of tonnes of waste already in the environment, will continue to break down into tiny particles called microplastics for decades or centuries.

These fragments contaminate oceans, land, and the air we breathe, posing risks to marine life, food production and human health.

̽��ֱ��researchers – from the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge, GNS Science in New Zealand and ̽��ֱ��Ocean Cleanup in ̽��ֱ��Netherlands – say the problem lies in a gap between ambition and action, called the fragmentation gap.

At a meeting this week in Busan, South Korea, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution is meeting to finalise the Global Plastics Treaty, the first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution.

While the treaty’s initial discussions highlight prevention of plastic pollution, the researchers say it largely overlooks the need to remove existing waste. This omission means microplastics will continue to accumulate, even if plastic pollution slows.

“ ̽��ֱ��treaty is aiming to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040, but this goal is unlikely without stronger action,” said co-author Zhenna Azimrayat-Andrews, a PhD student at Cambridge’s Department of Earth Sciences. “Even with a sharp reduction in plastic entering the ocean, existing debris will split into smaller pieces and persist for centuries.”

These microplastics have already infiltrated marine ecosystems and are harming marine ecosystems, degrading commercial seafood quality, and disrupting critical ocean processes.

̽��ֱ��researchers argue that plastic clean-up efforts must be prioritised alongside reduction targets. Strategies to remove plastics from terrestrial and marine environments, such as those targeting pollution in beaches and rivers, could help prevent microplastics from forming. In fact, a 3% annual removal of legacy plastic, combined with aggressive reduction measures, could significantly curb future contamination, they say.

Without action to address legacy plastic, the treaty risks leaving behind a long-lasting problem for marine life and future generations. Experts are calling for clean-up efforts to become an equal pillar of the treaty, alongside prevention and recycling.

As world leaders gather to negotiate the treaty this week, the spotlight is on their ability to craft a comprehensive plan that doesn't just slow pollution but also begins to reverse the damage that has already been done.

Reference:
Karin Kvale, Zhenna Azimrayat Andrews & Matthias Egger. ‘Mind the fragmentation gap.’ Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53962-3

As the UN meets this week to finalise the Global Plastics Treaty, researchers warn that the agreement could fail to address one of the biggest threats to marine environments—microplastics.

Alistair Berg via Getty Images

Researcher holding small pieces of micro plastic pollution washed up on a beach

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright © ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

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Hope and determination for nature

plc32 — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:41:16 +0000

Cambridge Conservation Initiative Executive Director Melissa Leach offers insights on the COP16 Global Biodiversity summit in Cali, Colombia as government ministers engage in tense final negotiations and the latest news from the natural world is that more than a third of tree species face extinction in the wild.

Facing ̽��ֱ��New Reality

plc32 — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:24:18 +0000

Climate action film "Facing ̽��ֱ��New Reality" featuring Cambridge Zero Director Professor Emily Shuckburgh is a finalist for the Smiley Charity Film Awards.

Mary Robinson launches ActNowFilm at COP28

plc32 — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 15:53:36 +0000

ActNowFilm launched at COP28 with an address from former Ireland President Mary Robinson, who urged world leaders to include young people in the climate negotiations that will decide their future.

Raising ambition in net zero flight – A briefing from COP28

plc32 — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:39:43 +0000

Professor Rob Miller, Director of the Whittle Laboratory, shares his thoughts on COP28 and the ambition for zero emission aviation.

Cambridge heads to COP28

plc32 — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 17:43:08 +0000

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge heads to COP28 in Dubai, UAE, with a film premiere and a host of higher education and research events.

ActNowFilm

plc32 — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:11:57 +0000

Youth leaders and world figures featured in new ActNowFilm, to premiere at COP28 call for young people to be included in national climate negotiation teams and global decision-making.

COP15: UN and Cambridge sign agreement to bolster conservation

plc32 — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 11:07:16 +0000

̽��ֱ��agreement has been made in recognition of the impact and alignment of the novel Masters course with the goals of the CBD Capacity Development framework and ultimately the importance of education and capacity building in the fight to protect the natural world and the biodiversity within it.

̽��ֱ��MoU agreement signed yesterday paves the way for shared initiatives to accelerate building the capacity of national biodiversity experts and conservation leaders, crucial for the delivery of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Additionally, it will enable a series of knowledge exchange activities to support effective implementation of the framework.

Established in 2010, the Masters in Conservation Leadership is a ground-breaking course that equips students with the applied leadership and management skills needed to create positive change in conservation. A unique feature of the course is its delivery by a collaboration between the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and the leading conservation organisations, which together comprise the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI).

Another notable feature of the course is the development of an active global conservation leadership alumni network (UCCLAN), now totalling over 220 alumni in 89 countries around the world. ̽��ֱ��alumni network has ‘observer status’ at the conference and has already been influential in the wider negotiations.

“Since 2010 the Cambridge Masters in Conservation Leadership has been building the capacity of outstanding future conservation leaders from around the world. Our alumni have the skills, networks and wisdom needed to support delivery of the Convention on Biological Diversity framework being agreed at COP 15," said Chris Sandbrook, Director of the Masters in Conservation Leadership and CCI Council member. " ̽��ֱ��MoU we are signing today with the Secretariat of the Convention will enable us to work closely together towards our shared objectives for capacity development. It is a proud moment for me and everyone involved in the Masters.”

̽��ֱ��Masters in Conservation Leadership team have been working towards this agreement for several years and are delighted to now finalise the agreement, enabling a cohesive approach to building the leadership capacity needed to create a diverse world in which nature and society thrive.

̽��ֱ��UN Convention on Biological Diversity secretariat and the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge signed a Memorandum of Understanding on day two of COP15, which recognises that the CCI Masters in Conservation Leadership course hosted by the Department of Geography plays a crucial role in conservation capacity building.

Since 2010 the Cambridge Masters in Conservation Leadership has been building the capacity of outstanding future conservation leaders from around the world

Chris Sandbrook, Director of the Masters in Conservation Leadership and CCI Council member

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright © ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – as here, on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

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