The new report says plastic pollution in the oceans affects not only the environment, but also the human population

Many people are aware of plastic pollution
in the oceans.
Photos of sea turtles or seabirds entangled in plastic waste first went viral in the '90s, and the Pacific Garbage Patch is now the focus
of highly publicized clean-up efforts.

Less recognized is the impact of ocean plastic litter on the human population and the unequal burden
borne by different communities.
A report titled "Finding a Fair Approach to Ocean Plastic Pollution" outlines the current situation and attempts to address the issue
.

"We all benefit from plastic, but some are paying more external costs
for environmental damage, well-being issues, and horrific scenes where they have to live where they call home," said project leader Yoshitaka Ota, professor of marine and environmental affairs practice at the University of Washington and director of the Japan Foundation's Marine Contact Center.

Greenhouse gases that cause climate change are increasingly seen as a problem, with some countries producing most of the pollution and others or groups more vulnerable to long-term consequences
.
The report argues that plastic pollution is a similar problem
for coastal communities.

The report, published at the end of November, includes 31 authors
from nine countries.
It combines case studies and analysis from around the world, as well as larger, comprehensive proposals
for change.

The authors conclude that coastal communities
most affected by marine plastic pollution should be better represented when drafting potential solutions.
A free virtual event will be held this March to bring together stakeholders from around the world to develop a roadmap
for addressing ocean plastic with a focus on equity.

Founded in 2019, the Ocean Ties Center is a 10-year initiative based at the University of Washington Earth Laboratory that includes more than 20 member universities and organizations
around the world.
Its mission is to achieve equity and justice
for the oceans on a global scale.

Recently published reports cover topics including:

• Call for replacing the term
  "plastic waste" with "plastic pollution".
  The term "trash" limits the problem to a small area that can be solved by better collection, treatment or recycling of waste, rather than wider changes
  to production across the industry.
  

• Discuss the increase in plastic waste during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the resurgence of masks, gloves, face shields, and single-use and individually wrapped products
  .
  

• The chapter provides field-based case studies, including interviews
  with local residents about their experiences with ocean plastic.
  Locations include a fishing community in Ghana, coastal mangroves in Ecuador, and an island in southern Japan that includes tourists and local residents
  .
  

• Two analyses of waste clean-up projects – the Washington State's Marine Debris Action Plan and the Netherlands' "Waste Recovery" project
  .
  

• One section, co-authored by multiple authors, focuses on the island
  of Oteroa in New Zealand.
  Māori perspectives have been ignored in efforts to tackle marine plastic pollution, despite the greater impact and importance
  of the marine environment to Maori livelihoods and culture, the authors write.
  

• A review of international rules for the disposal of plastic waste – various regulations including the Basel Convention, a non-binding agreement
  that the United States has not signed.
  

• Coca-Cola's "Waste-Free World" initiative was criticized as an example of industry-backed solutions to ocean plastic pollution that focus on individual consumers rather than larger, longer-lasting solutions
  that can reduce plastic waste.
  

"Coca-Cola is the world's largest producer of plastic waste, and it's a case study of how multinational companies are involved in waste reduction and corporate social responsibility," said lead author Jessica Vandenberg, a postdoctoral fellow in marine and environmental affairs at the University of Washington who authored an analysis
of the Coca-Cola initiative.

"As we highlighted in the report, we believe one of the key actions to address ocean plastic pollution is to reorient the problem as a plastic production issue rather than a waste management issue
," Vandenberg said.

Digital watercolors by Seattle-based artist Mari Shibuya appear throughout the document
.
The report, funded by the Japan Foundation, aims to provide policymakers, educators and other audiences with an understandable, comprehensive summary
of the issue, Ota said.

The March meeting will bring together the audience to implement the report's key recommendations
.
Visit the Nippon Foundation Marine Contact Center website for details
of upcoming events.