Blog of Plastic Oceans International

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Please enjoy our ongoing collection of educational blog content that informs on the topics of plastic pollution and sustainability. It is also available in Spanish, by clicking HERE or on the button below.

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Who is talking about the Global Plastics Treaty with those solving plastic pollution at a local level?

The need for local dialogues between key stakeholders to ensure an effective plastics treaty

Have you ever tried to act on plastic pollution in your house, in your neighborhood or in your company? Was it a one-shot activity, or a continuous process? Were there challenges too big for you to overcome because the problem was outside of your control? This is where we, as citizens, expect our local and national governments to support us with policies and other measures to help solve this problem. But that is easier said than done. Where do they get their information from?

Outdoor screening of Plastic Oceans' films followed by a community discussion to further bridge knowledge gaps and better understand the barriers they face in ending plastic pollution in their location.

Tackling Plastic Pollution: An Innovative Approach Through Film-Activism

Plastic Oceans International is committed to fostering sustainable communities worldwide with the primary aim of eradicating plastic pollution. It’s evident that plastic pollution is a complex, multifaceted issue that necessitates a change in how we function across every societal level, whether it be local, national, regional, or international. It involves a systematic flow of information across all these levels, enabling us to align our efforts effectively.

New Film, Cutting The Line: Tackling Abandoned Fishing Lines

Cutting the Line: A Documentary that serves as an inspirational clarion call to advocate for global policies to support communities actively fighting to mitigate and remediate ocean pollution

The Skeleton Coast, Namibia, the infamous littoral on southern Africa Atlantic Coast named for the vast numbers of shipwrecks which have come to line its shore, through history.

But now, there are new skeletons on these famous sand dunes: dead fur seals, tragically entangled on fishing lines discarded from commercial fishing.

The problem of abandoned fishing and marine debris is not a new one, but as it generally takes place far away from human eyes, on the open ocean or wild coastal fringes, its devastating effects are rarely witnessed. On the windswept, Atlantic beaches of southern Africa, marine species have been entangled for generations, but Ocean Conservation Namibia, in the shape of Naude, Katja Dreyer and their crew, are locally present in witnessing the scale of the problem. What they have seen over years on the vast, unending sand dune perimeter that is the Skeleton Coast made them realize that they could not avert their gaze.

Navigating the Second Round of Global Treaty Talks on Plastic Pollution: A Complete Overview

INC2 Introduction

From Plastic Oceans International, Julie Andersen (CEO) and Mark Minneboo (Director of Advocacy), the second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC2). They actively participated in discussions and shared insights on information flow and legislative implementation gaps at the subnational level.

INC2 had over 1600 attendees from more than 170 countries converged at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris to hash out details of a potential treaty aimed at curtailing plastic pollution. Approximately 50% of attendees were country delegates representing 168 countries and the other 50% of attendees represented stakeholders from civil society, international governmental organizations, scientists, and industry with varying interests.

Despite the diplomatic obstacles to incorporate challenges and positions from all countries and stakeholders, the week-long session of INC2 reached a promising conclusion. The completion of INC2 marks the progress of 40% on the path to the creation of a treaty. Therefore, it’s important to remember there are more challenges to overcome.

Bridging the Gap: Understanding Stakeholders in Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution requires varied interventions tailored to geographical areas and stakeholders’ positions in the plastic lifecycle. Multiple stakeholders, each with unique roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities, are involved in the process. So, how can we better understand this system to start solving the problem? The key lies in a deeper comprehension of these stakeholders, their interactions, roles, and responsibilities. Only then can we come together, acknowledge our respective parts, and collectively develop effective solutions for plastic pollution.

Solving Plastic Pollution: Everyone is a stakeholder, but not every stakeholder is equal.

The plastic lifecycle involves multiple stakeholders with different roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities. By working together and understanding our respective roles, we can develop effective solutions to plastic pollution and create a more sustainable future.

activism grid with multiple photos being shown

Trees & Seas Film-Activism Festival Returns for its 3rd Year from September 1-10, 2023

Uniting Communities and the Environment Through the Power of Film

The highly anticipated 3rd annual Trees & Seas film-activism festival is back and better than ever, continuing its growth and fostering sustainable community progress in their own backyards, ultimately contributing to a collective global impact against plastic pollution.

Plastic Oceans International Participates in Our Ocean 2023 With a Side Event About the Impacts of Fishing Gear

This year’s conference brought together more than 600 global ocean experts and generated over 340 ocean action commitments worth $19 billion.

The Our Ocean conference is a yearly event to draw international attention to the serious threats facing the world’s ocean, commiting to concrete action around the globe to support marine conservation and sustainable development. Read More

Our relationship with plastic: it's complicated

Our Relationship With Plastics: It’s Complicated

In honor of the month of February, I’ve just changed my relationship status with plastics to, “it’s complicated”. It’s the best I’ve felt about plastics in a long time. Here’s why.

We must be willing to accept that not everything is black or white, good or bad, right or wrong. Quite a bit of grey area exists within many of these more complex situations, and you know why? Because it’s extremely complex.

Henequén, The Rope That Changed a Continent

Before Plastics, The Yucatan Peninsula Was Home To Globally Exported Natural Fibers

Stand on the pier in the historic port of Sisal, surrounded by the impossible blue of the ocean, and there is nothing to remind the passing visitor of the vast industry that ruled what was once a major commercial hub. Today, Sisal is a sleepy little town which has forgotten its historic purpose, its citizens harboring a vague memory of their ancestors and the historic wealth of the town, in excess of a century ago.

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