A network of dedicated scientists researching plastic pollution warns that progress in reducing this global threat has been painfully slow, leading to escalating damage to our natural environment and human health. Their findings, published in the journal ‘Nature Communications’, reveal a critical lack of integration among four key stakeholder communities: scientists, industry, society, and policymakers.

The joint research effort involves esteemed scientists Richard S Lampitt, Stephen Fletcher, Matthew Cole, Alice Kloker, Stefan Krause, Fran O'Hara, Peter Ryde, Mahua Saha, Anastasia Voronkova, and Adrian Whyle from the United Kingdom, France, and India. Mahua Saha, representing Asia as the sole scientist from the Goa-based CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, adds invaluable regional perspective.

Alarming statistics highlight that an astonishing 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually, with projections indicating a dramatic increase in the coming decades. Shockingly, less than 20 percent of this waste is adequately managed, resulting in incineration, landfill disposal, or release into our precious natural ecosystems.

While public concern predominantly revolves around plastic pollution's impact on marine environments, mounting evidence also reveals the detrimental consequences in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Given the international nature of the plastic supply chain, addressing this crisis necessitates global coordination and collaboration among all key stakeholders.

In their published paper, the scientists emphasize the vital importance of engaging a diverse range of interdisciplinary stakeholders to effectively tackle plastic pollution. They identify four critical communities: scientists, industry, society, and policymakers, stressing that equitable partnership and inclusion are essential to any international treaty.

Despite prior identification of these communities as essential players, progress in integrating their diverse experiences and perspectives has been notably slow and ineffective. Integration among these communities is paramount to tackle the crisis effectively. The researchers issue a compelling call to action to the international community and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). They urge global leadership, courage, and integrity, appealing for collaborative efforts to establish new paradigms that will halt the pollution of our environment and safeguard the health of our precious planet. It is our shared responsibility to heed this urgent call and forge a united front against plastic pollution for the sake of our planet and future generations.