{"id":60061476,"date":"2024-11-26T10:30:14","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T10:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/?p=60061476"},"modified":"2024-12-06T16:55:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T16:55:06","slug":"qa-we-need-global-systemic-change-on-plastics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/ocean\/qa-we-need-global-systemic-change-on-plastics\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&amp;A: \u2018We need global, systemic change on plastics\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When Bethanie Carney Almroth was a child, she used to stand in the kitchen and cut up the plastic rings that bound together her fizzy drinks cans. As a fish lover, she wanted to disarm the packaging that infamously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/article\/news-plastic-six-pack-rings-alternatives-history\">traps<\/a> and chokes marine animals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tackling plastic pollution demands much more than a pair of scissors, but Carney Almroth\u2019s childhood habit foreshadowed her career. She is now an ecotoxicologist at the University of Gothenburg, specialising in microplastics in the marine environment. She analyses their impacts upon fish, and the larger-scale <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cell.com\/one-earth\/fulltext\/S2590-3322(24)00541-4\">planetary<\/a> problems caused by this insidious form of modern pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This week, Carney Almroth is attending INC-5, the <a href=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/pollution\/inc-5-what-to-look-out-for-at-plastics-treaty-talks-in-busan\/\">final negotiations of a global treaty to combat plastic pollution<\/a>, in Busan, South Korea. As a steering committee member of the Scientists\u2019 Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, she will be <a href=\"https:\/\/ikhapp.org\/scientist-about-us\/\">co-coordinating<\/a> a group of more than 60 scientists at the talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, she tells Dialogue Earth about her hopes for an ambitious and effective treaty. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--article\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/20241125_Bethanie-Carney-Almroth_Kiara-Worth_IISDENB.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/20241125_Bethanie-Carney-Almroth_Kiara-Worth_IISDENB-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/20241125_Bethanie-Carney-Almroth_Kiara-Worth_IISDENB.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 1000px\" alt=\"a woman in suits speaks at a conference\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">Bethanie Carney Almroth (left) at the previous round of plastic pollution negotiations in April 2024 (Image: Kiara Worth \/ IISD \/ ENB)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/20241125_Bethanie-Carney-Almroth_Kiara-Worth_IISDENB.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"406 KB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"667\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1000\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dialogue-earth-what-happens-to-microplastics-in-fish-and-other-animals-nbsp\">Dialogue Earth: What happens to microplastics in fish and other animals?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bethanie Carney Almroth:<\/strong> We showed that if a fish eats plastics, some of the plastic particles can move from the fish\u2019s stomach or gut into the <a href=\"https:\/\/enveurope.springeropen.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12302-024-00987-6\">muscle<\/a>, which humans eat.&nbsp;Chemicals in plastic can also be taken up and distributed throughout an animal\u2019s body. The chemicals might end up in the fish\u2019s liver, the brain or the muscle, depending on the exposure pathways and the kinds of chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But these chemicals and particles are also in plastic food packaging, causing contamination of food. People often say there\u2019s so much plastic in the oceans, and it\u2019s in fish. But it\u2019s also in all kinds of food that is wrapped in plastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-accordion block--accordion\"><span class=\"block--accordion__title\">Plastics: Polymers and monomers<\/span><div class=\"block--accordion__content\"><div class=\"block--accordion__content__inner\">\n<p>Most plastics are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bpf.co.uk\/plastipedia\/how-is-plastic-made.aspx\">made<\/a> from chemicals that originate from crude oil, coal and natural gas. They consist of large molecules called polymers: chains of many small particles bonded together. The small particles are called monomers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Producers create different shapes and forms of plastics by adjusting the types of monomers used and modifying the temperature and pressure of processing. They can also add chemicals to tune the molecular structures. The most common polymers in plastics include polyethylene (PE), polyethene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-are-current-regulations-on-chemicals-in-plastics-sufficient-nbsp\">Are current regulations on chemicals in plastics sufficient?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are piecemeal bits and pieces of legislation, in this country and that country, on this product, on this chemical. But there\u2019s no global regulation right now. Reports say either <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basel.int\/Portals\/4\/Basel%20Convention\/docs\/plastic%20waste\/UNEP-FAO-CHW-RC-POPS-PUB-GlobalGovernancePlastics-2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1%<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/plastchem-project.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6%<\/a> of chemicals in plastics are regulated globally.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The plastic life cycle is very international. The raw materials are extracted in one place, and the monomers are produced in another, and plastics are produced in another. The waste trade sector is also very complicated and messy. A lot of data gaps remain on where these things are going and where they are ending up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, we need international regulation to address these problems. Individual countries can\u2019t act on this sort of international, transboundary problem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-are-the-most-important-decisions-for-busan\">What are the most important decisions for Busan?\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Chemicals are at the top of my list. There are <a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2024-03-chemicals-plastic.html#google_vignette\">16,000<\/a> chemicals used in plastics, and 4,200 have hazardous properties. Robust <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unep.org\/resources\/report\/chemicals-plastics-technical-report#:~:text=Ten%20groups%20of%20chemicals%20(based,PFASs)%2C%20phthalates%2C%20bisphenols%2C\">data<\/a> shows the kinds of chemicals in plastic that cause negative health impacts [in humans]. The fact that we don\u2019t know what chemicals are in products is because no laws demand that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"wp-block-cd-related-news alignright block--related-news loading\" data-post-id=\"60058626\"><div class=\"block--related-news__image\"><\/div><div class=\"block--related-news__content\"><span class=\"block--related-news__heading\">Recommended<\/span><span class=\"block--related-news__title\"><\/span><\/div><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p>The other obligation I\u2019d like to see is production reduction. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2590332224005414\">Evidence<\/a> shows that planetary functions, the climate, and biodiversity are being destabilised by plastics. The fossil fuel industry is seeing a decreased demand for its products as we shift to greener energy. <a href=\"https:\/\/wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/wene.360\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">90% to 99%<\/a> of plastics are made of fossil fuels. Those industries are planning on ramping up plastic production <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oecd-ilibrary.org\/sites\/aa1edf33-en\/1\/3\/1\/index.html?itemId=\/content\/publication\/aa1edf33-en&amp;_csp_=ca738cf5d4f327be3b6fec4af9ce5d12&amp;itemIGO=oecd&amp;itemContentType=book\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">threefold<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cell.com\/one-earth\/fulltext\/S2590-3322(24)00541-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">500 million tonnes<\/a> of plastics were produced in 2022. We can\u2019t triple that. There\u2019s no way our planet and our societies can handle that. No matter what waste management systems you build, we will still have significant plastic pollution unless we reduce production.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-have-scientists-provided-enough-input-for-these-talks-nbsp\">Have scientists provided enough input for these talks?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re trying really hard. The negotiating process itself did not have a specific mechanism for scientific input.&nbsp;This is why we formed our coalition, <a href=\"https:\/\/ikhapp.org\/scientistscoalition\/\">Scientists\u2019 Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty<\/a>, to fill that void \u2013 some member state delegates don\u2019t have access to experts in analytical chemistry, monomer science, pollution, marine biology, human health, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cd-article-image aligncenter block--article-image block--article-image--article\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><div class=\"block--article-image__column\"><div class=\"hide-expand block--article-image__image\"><img class=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Plastic-bottle-on-the-sea-bottom_Franco-Banfi_Biosphoto_Alamy_2YHM6D6.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Plastic-bottle-on-the-sea-bottom_Franco-Banfi_Biosphoto_Alamy_2YHM6D6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Plastic-bottle-on-the-sea-bottom_Franco-Banfi_Biosphoto_Alamy_2YHM6D6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Plastic-bottle-on-the-sea-bottom_Franco-Banfi_Biosphoto_Alamy_2YHM6D6.jpg 2560w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 768px, (max-width: 1024px) 1024px, 2560px\" alt=\"a plastic bottle on the sea bottom\"\/><\/div><div class=\"block--article-image__content\"><div itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"block--article-image__caption\">Large plastic items, like this bottle in the Mediterranean, are a major pollution problem in the ocean. Smaller pieces of plastic that cannot be seen with the naked eye are equally problematic (Image: Franco Banfi \/ Biosphoto \/ Alamy)<\/div><\/div><\/div><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Plastic-bottle-on-the-sea-bottom_Franco-Banfi_Biosphoto_Alamy_2YHM6D6.jpg\"\/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"659 KB\"\/><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"1707\"\/><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"2560\"\/><meta itemprop=\"author\"\/><meta itemprop=\"representativeOfPage\" content=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of science and evidence shows how industry scientists, industry actors and PR campaigners have acted to delay or block policy action. We don\u2019t allow industry-funded scientists to contribute to our documents. We are struggling a bit with getting accredited to attend the meeting, as we often need to be invited to join a delegation. We also need to find funding for our plane tickets and hotels. We also have problems with time. These are things that the industry has. They have money, access and time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But we\u2019ve been getting there. At the first round of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unep.org\/inc-plastic-pollution\/session-1\">negotiations<\/a> in Uruguay, there were only five of us. We started this journey as a very small group and have grown in numbers, strength and influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-are-you-hopeful-for-a-good-outcome-in-busan\">Are you hopeful for a good outcome in Busan?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The industry is there, lobbying and communicating. They\u2019re doing what they do. But I\u2019m seeing renewed momentum and enthusiasm among member states for production reduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More and more countries have signed the Bridge to Busan <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bridgetobusan.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Declaration<\/a>, asking for a plastic production reduction; the Business <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessforplasticstreaty.org\/endorsers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coalition<\/a> for a Global Plastics Treaty signed on to that yesterday. Countries like the US also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/shift-us-backs-global-target-reduce-plastic-production-source-says-2024-08-14\/\">shifted<\/a> their policies and are now open to discussing reduction. The countries that are not open to it are greatly outnumbered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are things individuals can do, but these problems are systemic and will require systemic change. So, I\u2019m going to South Korea to do everything in my very small power to support the member states that want to do something ambitious, and to arm them with the science they need to make their arguments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dialogue Earth meets the ecotoxicologist Bethanie Carney Almroth, in attendance at international plastic pollution talks in Busan this week<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3906,"featured_media":60061491,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50039901,760],"tags":[514,40027778,569,578],"hashtags":[],"country":[],"class_list":["post-60061476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ocean","category-pollution","tag-chemicals","tag-marine-protection","tag-negotiations","tag-plastics"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium 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