A holistic approach to address plastic pollution on a local scale - The Roskilde Fjord case

TY - ABST

T1 - A holistic approach to address plastic pollution on a local scale - The Roskilde Fjord case

AU - Syberg, Kristian

AU - Palmqvist, Annemette

AU - Sick, Claudia

AU - Strand, Jakob

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Plastic pollution largely stems from peoples everyday use of plastic. This implies that even though the pollution has a magnitude where is can be characterized as a global problem, the main sources are found locally. Local solution can therefore play a dominant role in our efforts to change the current consumption patterns towards more sustainable use of plastic and thus reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution.In the 3-year project presented here, we addressed local plastic pollution with a holistic and interdisciplinary approach in semi-closed estuarine water body – Roskilde Fjord, Denmark. The aim of the project was to characterize the magnitude, composition and impact of plastic pollution in the fjord along with dominant exposure routes to the water body. The project furthermore worked with local stakeholders, including citizens, authorities and wastewater treatment plants with the aim of identifying suitable solutions to the plastic pollution.The interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon science, social science and humanities generated a comprehensive understanding of pollution patterns and potential impacts and furthermore initiated different mitigation processes such a citizen science activities, political attention and enhanced focus on point sources.

AB - Plastic pollution largely stems from peoples everyday use of plastic. This implies that even though the pollution has a magnitude where is can be characterized as a global problem, the main sources are found locally. Local solution can therefore play a dominant role in our efforts to change the current consumption patterns towards more sustainable use of plastic and thus reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution.In the 3-year project presented here, we addressed local plastic pollution with a holistic and interdisciplinary approach in semi-closed estuarine water body – Roskilde Fjord, Denmark. The aim of the project was to characterize the magnitude, composition and impact of plastic pollution in the fjord along with dominant exposure routes to the water body. The project furthermore worked with local stakeholders, including citizens, authorities and wastewater treatment plants with the aim of identifying suitable solutions to the plastic pollution.The interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon science, social science and humanities generated a comprehensive understanding of pollution patterns and potential impacts and furthermore initiated different mitigation processes such a citizen science activities, political attention and enhanced focus on point sources.

M3 - Conference abstract for conference

T2 - 20. Danske Havforskermøde

Y2 - 23 January 2019 through 25 January 2019

ER -