We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A Critical Review Involving Socio-Cultural Imperatives and Behavioural Psychology as Part of Global Plastic Pollution Mitigating Models in Marine Ecosystem
AI summary Read the abstract
This critical review examines socio-cultural and behavioral psychology factors necessary for effective marine plastic pollution mitigation, arguing that science-based ecological strategies alone are insufficient. It highlights behavioral conservation models like the Beat-the-Bead policy and Citizen Science programs as effective complements to regulatory frameworks.
A world without plastics, or synthetic organic polymers, seems unimaginable today, yet their large-scale production and use have brought in its wake massive environmental pollution. A holistic approach is needed to address this multifaceted, wide-spread and complex issue of plastic pollution. Consequently, the objective of this paper was to undertake a critical review of socio-cultural imperatives and behavioural psychology as part of global plastic pollution mitigating models in the marine ecosystem using data and information from several sources including online and off-library sources. Data gathered reveals that the marine ecosystem (the world's oceans, rivers, lakes, coral reefs estuaries, and beaches) receives equivalence of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic dumped daily into the marine ecosystem and science-based ecological strategies, like waste management, end-of-life recycling options and replacement with bioplastics alone, are unable to provide the needed mitigation measures. Hence, the proposed. mitigating models shift with interdisciplinary solutions involving socio-cultural imperatives and behavioural psychology. Positive conservation behavioural models, such as the Beat-the-Bead policy and Citizen Science programme, have been highlighted in this review. Effective prevention is a long-term process that must begin at the ground level with smarter consumer choices, industrial consciousness and responsibility, and an overarching local to global governance framework. This kind of regulatory framework would expedite adaptation and make the socio-ecological system it oversees more resistant to long-term, multi-scale changes in human behaviour.
More Papers Like This
On the way to reduce marine microplastics pollution. Research landscape of psychosocial drivers
AI summary Read the abstract
A review of psychosocial drivers of marine plastic pollution found that factors including consumer convenience preferences, low perceived personal responsibility, and weak norm activation explain why behavioral change around plastic use is slow, and that interventions combining social norms messaging with structural changes show the most promise.
Societal Awareness, Regulatory Framework, and Technical Guidelines for Management of Plastic Wastes
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the social and governance dimensions of plastic waste management, arguing that sustainable outcomes require integrating sociological perspectives — including public awareness, institutional frameworks, and regulatory standards — alongside technical approaches to reduce global plastic pollution.
Next steps for research on society and microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This perspective paper assessed the contributions of social and behavioral sciences to microplastics research, covering policy analysis, public education, and stakeholder engagement. The authors argue for greater integration of social science methods to understand and reduce plastic pollution at the human systems level.
The human dimension: how social and behavioural research methods can help address microplastics in the environment
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper outlines how social and behavioral science research methods — including surveys, interviews, and behavioral experiments — can be applied to understand human dimensions of the microplastic pollution problem. Addressing plastic pollution requires not just environmental science but also understanding why people produce, use, and dispose of plastics as they do.
Next steps for research on society and microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This perspective paper outlined priority directions for social and behavioral science research on microplastics, building on the established contributions of social sciences to understanding policy, stakeholder views, and public behavior around plastic pollution. The authors called for greater integration of social science methods to address governance gaps and support effective microplastic management.
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.