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Plastic

A woman looks into a glass tank holding several small, brightly colored fish
Voices

Save This Species: The Bettas of Bangka Island

You might not think to look for fish in a forest, but look fast: These amazing fish depend on a disappearing swamp forest on an island in Indonesia.
May 7, 2025
by
Josie South, Ph.D.
You might not think to look for fish in a forest, but look fast: These amazing fish depend on a disappearing swamp forest on an island in Indonesia.
A toy truck and plastic debris scattered on mud along the Lake Uru Uru shore near Oruro, Bolivia, on April 8, 2021. In addition to a major drought in 2016 that dramatically decreased water levels, Lake Uru Uru has been devastated by plastic pollution and mining wasting.
Commentaries

Plastic Pollution: So Much Bigger Than Straws

The current administration continues to senselessly undermine efforts to reduce single-use plastics. But plastic never was and never will be disposable, and neither are the people it poisons.
March 14, 2025
by
Jackie Nuñez
The current administration continues to senselessly undermine efforts to reduce single-use plastics. But plastic never was and never will be disposable, and neither are the people it poisons.
A pink seahorse is camouflaged within pink coral
Extinction Countdown

This Month in Conservation Science: Trojan Seahorses and ‘Vampire’ Birds

Journals this month looked at “fabulous but forgotten” ecosystems, hungry monkeys, roaming lions, lead-poisoned birds, and more — including a focus on microplastics.
November 22, 2024
by
John R. Platt
Journals this month looked at “fabulous but forgotten” ecosystems, hungry monkeys, roaming lions, lead-poisoned birds, and more — including a focus on microplastics.
Female workers sort out plastic bottles for recycling in a factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh 26 October 2016. Plastic not only poses an immense pollution problem - it also exacerbates climate change. If plastic production stays on its current trajectory, by 2030, greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach 1.34 billion tons per year, equivalent to the emissions produced by 300 new 500MW coal-fired power plants.
Commentaries

Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Block Progress Again — This Time on Plastics

Before the next global meeting on plastics, we need more transparency and disclosure around the corporate stakeholders wielding influence there.
June 21, 2024
by
Steve Trent
Before the next global meeting on plastics, we need more transparency and disclosure around the corporate stakeholders wielding influence there.
Dirty, broken plastic forks stick up between the boards of a picnic table
Commentaries

Bioplastics Are Not the Solution

To solve plastic pollution, we need nontoxic, reusable materials — not more single-use disposable products.
April 10, 2024
by
Julia Cohen and Erica Cirino
To solve plastic pollution, we need nontoxic, reusable materials — not more single-use disposable products.
Small boat traveling through water with icebergs and Antarctic peninsula in the background
The Ask

‘We Found Plastic on the Seabed in Antarctica and I Just Cried’

As Antarctica faces a host of human-caused threats, a marine biologist calls for action.
June 5, 2023
by
Tara Lohan
As Antarctica faces a host of human-caused threats, a marine biologist calls for action.
blue wave
News

Fear of Nature, Love of the Ocean, and Other Links From the Brink

We’ve got the word on an important new treaty, a victory against ag-gag laws, and two new threats to the massive Andean condor.
March 10, 2023
by
John R. Platt
We’ve got the word on an important new treaty, a victory against ag-gag laws, and two new threats to the massive Andean condor.
A black bird sits on an elephant's back
News

Elephant Poop, Tasmanian Snails and Other Links From the Brink

We’ve got the latest on species rediscoveries, light pollution, right-wing posturing and more.
January 27, 2023
by
John R. Platt
We’ve got the latest on species rediscoveries, light pollution, right-wing posturing and more.
Sunset over the ocean
Editorials

Our Best Articles of 2022

Looking back at environmental loss — and more than a few successes — helps us look ahead to healing the planet.
December 28, 2022
by
John R. Platt and Tara Lohan
Looking back at environmental loss — and more than a few successes — helps us look ahead to healing the planet.
air pollution
Pollution & Toxins

The Fight Against Deadly Soot

The health risks from tiny airborne particulate matter may soon face stricter federal regulation. But improving air quality remains a complex challenge.
October 31, 2022
by
Tim Lydon
The health risks from tiny airborne particulate matter may soon face stricter federal regulation. But improving air quality remains a complex challenge.

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