8 - Microplastics pollution: a thriller with many leading roles and an unknown ending

Abstract

Science exists in close symbiosis with governance systems, and it influences, and is influenced not only by these systems but also by society, industry, and the media. Typically, research and innovation topics are driven by societal challenges that are identified by the scientific community and the policy makers that define financial strategies. However, this has not been the case for the raised awareness of plastics pollution and the proposals for mitigation measures. Due to the evident increase in the amounts of plastic litter and the effects on marine organisms, and especially on “charismatic” fauna such as turtles, whales, and dolphins, a strong (inverse) push to increase funding for solutions and awareness raising was initiated by the general public and their volunteer activities, which was further promoted by the media. This in turn has influenced policy makers and private industry to take actions to provide funding to initially estimate the amount and spread of plastics pollution in the oceans, and then to develop innovative mitigation measures. This chapter presents this unique phenomenon of the “inverse push” and introduces the most relevant actors in (micro)plastics pollution of the oceans (i.e., the general public, the policy makers, the scientific community), along with the theoretical framework for mitigation of plastic pollution where we identify the 12R model (Reduce, Recycle/Repurpose, Remove/Recover, Replace, Recognize, Rethink, Refuse, Regulate, Report, Reuse, Refill, and Repair). The proposed 12R model dictates the necessity for transdisciplinary collaborations that can solve societal challenges, and that will provide innovations to be commercialized in the future, to thus contribute to economic growth and sustainable development.