The Ugly Truth About Microplastics | UPSC

MICROPLASTICS

• Microplastics are small plastic pieces typically smaller than 5 millimeters in diameter.

• The debris can be of any size and shape.
•  Usually those which are less than 5 mm in length (or about the size of a sesame seed) are called microplastics.

CAUSES

• Maldivian land reclamation policies, inadequate sewerage and wastewater systems.
• Islands used as landfill sites were also contributing to the high concentration of microplastic.
• Current waste management practices in the Maldives cannot keep up with population growth and the pace of development.

THREATS

• It is estimated that eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean each year, impacting food chain and water supply.-International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• Besides, microplastics can also help introduce other contaminants to foods.

Microbeads are tiny pieces of polyethylene plastic added to health and beauty products, such as some cleansers and toothpastes.

• Persistent organic pollutants and other toxins in water can also be attracted to these particles.

• Microplastics come from a variety of sources, including from larger plastic debris that degrades into smaller and smaller pieces.
• In addition, microbeads, a type of microplastic, are very tiny pieces of manufactured polyethylene plastic that are added as exfoliants to health and beauty products.
• These tiny particles easily pass through water filtration systems and end up in the ocean or other water bodies.

• Microplastic contamination of marine and freshwater organisms occurs worldwide.
• Plastic is the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our ocean and Great Lakes.

TAKING ACTION

• An increasing number of initiatives support policy-making are coming up .
• They range from providing participatory research and education to groups of young people, to collecting innovative ideas from individuals and businesses.

• Recognizing this emerging issue, more than 60 governments have stressed the relevance of a global framework for prevention and management of marine litter.

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP ON MARINE LITTER

• The Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) is a voluntary, open ended partnership for governments, international agencies, businesses, academia, local authorities, NGOs and individuals.

LAUNCH

It was launched during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012.

OBJECTIVE

• This global partnership works as a coordinating forum to increase awareness of the impacts of marine litter at various levels (e.g. by policy-makers, industry, and the general public).

FOCUS AREAS

• Enhance knowledge of best practices to address marine litter around the world;
• Identify and address knowledge gaps related to marine litter management;
• Coordinate global and regional networks; and improve synergy among actors.
• Demonstration projects with a focus on reducing the inflow of solid waste into the marine environment.

The Ugly Truth About Microplastics 

THE HONOLULU STRATEGY AND THE 4R’s

• The Honolulu Strategy is a framework for a comprehensive and global effort to reduce the ecological, human health and economic impacts of marine debris.
• Its successful implementation will require participation and support on multiple levels (global, regional, national and local).
• This initiative involves the full spectrum of civil society, government and intergovernmental organizations as well as the private sector.

THE FRAMEWORK CONSISTS OF THREE GOALS :

• GOAL A: Reduced amount and impact of land-based sources of marine debris introduced into the sea.
• GOAL B: Reduced amount and impact of sea-based sources of marine debris introduced into the sea, including solid waste; lost cargo; abandoned and abandoned vessels
• GOAL C: Reduced amount and impact of accumulated marine debris on shorelines, in benthic habitats, and in pelagic waters .