The plastic crisis has deep corporate roots: to protect our planet, they need to be exposed

The plastic industry uses powerful tactics to convince us it’s not that bad, but in reality many of their green solutions aren’t working.

Alice Mah, Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick • conversation
Aug. 4, 2022 • ~8 min

Disease-causing parasites can hitch a ride on plastics and potentially spread through the sea, new research suggests

Normally land-bound pathogens that cause deadly diseases for both humans and animals can cling to microplastics and end up in your seafood.

Emma Zhang, Veterinary student, University of California, Davis • conversation
April 26, 2022 • ~7 min

Four reasons to be hopeful about the planned global plastics treaty

Over 170 countries have endorsed a resolution to negotiate a plastics treaty that’s much more precise than the Paris climate change agreement.

Elizabeth Kirk, Professor of International Environmental Law, University of Lincoln • conversation
March 21, 2022 • ~7 min

Plastic waste treaty: expert Q&A on the promise of a global agreement to reduce pollution

Without action in the next five years, an extra 80 million tonnes of plastic may end up in the ocean by 2040.

Steve Fletcher, Professor of Ocean Policy and Economy, University of Portsmouth • conversation
March 4, 2022 • ~8 min

Plastic pollution is a global problem – here's how to design an effective treaty to curb it

Public, government and corporate support for a world treaty to curb plastic waste is growing. Treaties addressing mercury pollution, long-range air pollution and ozone depletion offer some lessons.

Sarah J. Morath, Associate Professor of Legal Writing, Wake Forest University • conversation
Feb. 24, 2022 • ~10 min

COVID-19 home testing kits: should we be worried about their environmental impact?

Each home testing kit contains around 10 grams of plastic.

George Loumakis, Lecturer in Energy, Glasgow Caledonian University • conversation
Dec. 22, 2021 • ~5 min

Chennai's floods: the city has learned nothing from the past – here's what it can do

In spite of monsoon season and cyclone Nivar, the most recent floods are largely man-made disasters.

Anitha Karthik, PhD Candidate in Disaster Risk Reduction, Edinburgh Napier University • conversation
Dec. 15, 2021 • ~6 min

Plastic, plastic everywhere - airborne microplastics are settling into the most remote corners of the globe

Researchers are uncovering how microplastic particles are carried in wind, rain and snow to remote regions of our planet.

Xiaoyu Duan, PhD Researcher in Biology, University of Southern Denmark • conversation
Oct. 20, 2021 • ~5 min

New material inspired by spider silk could help solve our plastic problem

The film is similar to other plastics, but it can be composted at home.

Hom Dhakal, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Portsmouth • conversation
June 10, 2021 • ~5 min

Oil companies are going all-in on petrochemicals – and green chemistry needs help to compete

As global oil consumption drops, oil companies are pivoting to petrochemicals, and could crowd out bio-based alternatives.

Constance B. Bailey, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Tennessee • conversation
May 25, 2021 • ~10 min

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