GENEVA – Paganisms and Indigenous spirituality is deeply focused on the environment. A resolution to reduce plastics in the environment is now delayed. Meanwhile, scientists recently reported finding concerning levels of microplastics in the lungs of bottlenose dolphins in Florida.
In March 2022, delegates at the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in Nairobi, Kenya, took a historic step by voting to draft a legally binding international treaty aimed at eliminating plastic waste. The “End Plastic Pollution” resolution emphasized addressing the entire plastic lifecycle, including production, design, and disposal. Espen Barth Eide, President of UNEA-5 and Norway’s Minister for Climate and the Environment highlighted the urgency of the initiative, describing plastic pollution as an escalating epidemic. “With today’s resolution, we are officially on track for a cure,” he stated.
By February 2024, UNEA-6 reconvened in Nairobi to assess progress and reaffirm the urgency of tackling plastic waste. Delegates built upon previous commitments and continued to debate strategies for managing the full lifecycle of plastics, aiming for the treaty to be finalized by the end of 2024. However, by late 2025, significant hurdles remained. The World Bank and European Union outlined strategies addressing the environmental and health impacts of plastics, but the treaty itself remained unfinished.
As of January 2025, however, the UN plastics treaty remains unfinished and unratified. The fifth round of negotiations, held in Busan, South Korea, failed to reach a consensus, primarily due to disagreements over limiting plastic production. Oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia and Russia opposed production caps, advocating for improved waste management strategies instead. Meanwhile, more than 100 countries supported measures to limit production, arguing that such limits are essential for reducing plastic pollution at its source. As a result, negotiations were extended into 2025, with further sessions planned to resolve contentious issues. Despite the setbacks, the overarching goal remains to establish a comprehensive, legally binding framework to combat plastic pollution through coordinated international action.
The urgency of addressing plastic pollution has only intensified with growing evidence of its pervasive presence in both the environment and living organisms. In 2022, researchers at Hull York Medical School in England made a groundbreaking discovery: microplastics—tiny fragments of plastic resulting from industrial waste—were found deep in the lungs of living humans for the first time. The study, published in Science of the Total Environment, identified 12 different types of microplastics, including polyethylene, nylon, and resins commonly used in bottles, packaging, and clothing. Dr. Laura Sadofsky, lead author of the study, noted that while microplastics had previously been detected in autopsies, this was the first robust evidence of their presence in living lung tissue. The unexpected finding of high concentrations in the lower regions of the lungs raised concerns about potential health risks, as these particles were thought to be filtered out before reaching such depths.
Microplastics have become a global concern due to their ubiquitous presence. With annual plastic production exceeding 500 million metric tons and only 9% of it being recycled, the vast majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills, oceans, and ecosystems. These microplastic particles, ranging from 10 nanometers to 5 millimeters in size, have been detected in air, water, soil, and even human blood, feces, and breast milk. Scientists warn that long-term exposure to microplastics may lead to serious health issues, including impaired lung function and hormonal disruptions.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond humans to wildlife.
In Sarasota Bay, Florida, a long-term study of bottlenose dolphins, conducted by the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program since 1970, has provided crucial insights into how plastic pollution affects marine mammals. Recent examinations revealed that dolphins had inhaled microplastic fibers, similar to those found in human lungs. The fibers, originating from synthetic clothing and other sources, pose risks to respiratory health. Additionally, toxic chemicals associated with plastics, such as phthalates, were detected in the dolphins’ blood. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors that can interfere with thyroid hormones, affecting multiple bodily functions. Such findings mirror the effects observed in humans, highlighting the potential for widespread harm across species.
Despite thousands of studies documenting the detrimental effects of plastics on human health, research on its impact on animals remains limited due to the complexity and cost of long-term field studies. Nevertheless, scientists agree that plastic pollution is a critical factor contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean acidification. Beyond large pieces of plastic that ensnare wildlife, microplastics and their toxic chemical additives represent a more insidious threat. Of the more than 13,000 chemicals used in plastic production, at least 3,200 have hazardous properties, according to a United Nations report. These toxic substances can leach into ecosystems, contaminating food chains and affecting organisms from plankton to apex predators.
Plastic pollution’s pervasive nature is evident in ecosystems worldwide. Studies have found microplastics in nearly every environment, from remote mountaintops to the deep sea. Even polar regions are not spared, with microplastics detected in Arctic ice and the bodies of animals such as penguins and Arctic foxes. Wildlife across the tree of life—including birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals—has been found to ingest or become entangled in plastic debris. At least 1,565 species are known to consume plastic, often mistaking it for food. Ingested plastic can block digestive tracts, cause internal injuries, and lead to starvation or death.
Moreover, as larger plastic debris breaks down into microplastics and nanoparticles, it creates an enduring environmental hazard. These tiny particles are now so pervasive in marine environments that scientists have dubbed microscopic ocean life “the Plastisphere.” Early research suggests that even phytoplankton—a foundation of marine food webs—may be affected by plastic pollution, posing a significant risk to ocean ecosystems and global food security.
Addressing the plastics crisis requires urgent and sustained international cooperation. As negotiations for a UN plastics treaty continue, experts emphasize the need for systemic changes in plastic production, consumption, and disposal. Without decisive action, plastic pollution will continue to threaten both environmental and human health on an unprecedented scale.
Dolphin. Photo Credit: Claudia14: Pixabay
Monitoring for microplastics can be costly, but scientists have developed a budget-friendly, wireless, portable microplastic detection device. When paired with a smartphone or mobile device, it can efficiently count the number of particles in a water sample. Such accessible innovations have the potential to safeguard both human health and marine ecosystems.
Scientists say individuals can make a meaningful difference by reducing their plastic consumption and choosing biodegradable or reusable alternatives. Avoiding single-use petroleum-based plastics helps prevent the generation of additional microplastic waste, which ultimately contaminates the environment, harms wildlife, and infiltrates human bodies.
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