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Plastic pollution: When do we know enough?
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This commentary reviews the state of plastic pollution science and asks when we have enough evidence to act. The authors argue that the weight of evidence already justifies precautionary action and stronger regulation, even while research continues. They call for greater integration between scientific findings and policy responses.
Plastic pollution is one of today's great environmental challenges. Research addressing the issue of plastic pollution is growing, improving our predictions of risk, and informing the development of long-term solutions and mitigations. Nonetheless, sufficient evidence already exists to show that immediate and widespread action must be taken to reduce plastic release to the environment, and thus limit future harm. Given the cross-sector and multi-stakeholder approach that will be required to address plastic pollution, it is essential that contrasting opinions and misconceptions are tackled with respect to the status of knowledge, relative importance of plastics as an environmental stressor, and measures to reduce or mitigate harm from plastics in the environment. This perspective article lays out some key considerations and recommendations for moving forward with respect to both research and action.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.