Plastics’ circular economy for the Galápagos Islands? Exploring plastics governance with implications for social and ocean equity in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

IntroductionIn an era dominated by plastics (i.e., The 'Plasticene' Haram et al., 2020), where synthetic plastic materials and chemicals are pervasive in our daily lives, industries, natural environments, it is crucial to focus on addressing the underlying structural causes of marine pollution, particularly those affecting remote islands coastal communities global ocean. Conversely, within context Blue Economy transition, which emphasizes sustainable use ocean resources, integrating equity sustainability into development policies presents a key opportunity address systemic root pollution (Bennett 2023; Cisneros-Montemayor 2019; 2021; Simon 2021). Plastic production deeply intertwined with legacies colonialism persistence inequities, have shaped production, consumption, disposal (Liboiron, Fuller 2022). unchecked proliferation toxic wasteful plastics, driven monopoly capitalism influence powerful multinational corporations (Jacques, Mah, 2022), drives these disproportionately low-income historically marginalized (Vandenberg Ota, 2022; Vandenberg 2024). Ineffective inequitable waste management systems further entrench disparities. Thus, developing truly equitable just circular economy for necessitates critically examining institutional historical issues, ensuring that new do not perpetuate same inequities they seek resolve. An requires bold solutions eradicate while championing management, environmental justice, social equity.The governance literature increasingly recognizes as multidimensional concept includes distributional, procedural, recognitional, contextual dimensions, defined elsewhere (Croft 2024; Crosman Friedman 2018; Law Pascual 2014, McDermott 2013, Ota This call advancing approach emerges need challenge how approaches change often been developed alignment Eurocentric scientific academic theories methodologies. These lack direct meaningful engagement diverse plural forms knowledge, values, actions, practices other cultural groups, especially Global South, apply solve everyday socio-ecological challenges. Hegemonic research-to-action strategies tend be based partial limited design frameworks marginalize varied range knowledges on-the-ground actors essential advance partnerships collaborations more effective innovative knowledge-action initiatives change. In this context, role - aimed dismantle inequity inequality through oceans paramount importance (Crosman Ocean Nexus, doing so, interventions should recognize issues cause such colonial oppressions, racism, exploitative benefit already wealthy worsening poor, building up plans monitoring programs reverse (Ocean diversity heterogeneity knowledge value across different resource users require recognition existence both ontological plurality (diversity ways existing world) epistemic knowing world). collaborative must able accommodate representation provide spaces inclusive dialogue seats equal voices at table rightsholders representing all facets (Kovacs Pataki, 2016; Ludwig MacNaghten, 2020). important ensures perspectives stakeholders, rightsholders, holders, including directly affected it, included can tackle issue.A specific showcase study local foster socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, economically viable Galápagos Islands, crossroads facing changes because emerging cumulative multiple-anthropogenic stressors, complex Marine Reserve National Park (Alava Among human-made stressors impacting islands, contamination macro- microplastics) tandem (e.g., persistent organic pollutants mercury) unique marine-coastal ecosystems, endemic species, fishing heavily reliant seafood 2014; Alava Ross, Jones McMullen Muñoz-Abril Muñoz-Pérez Schofield A transition from traditional linear 'cradle-to-grave' system reduces leakage, embracing reduction, reusing, recycling, recovering via has suggested (Jones 2023); however, consequences social-ecological impacts implementing yet evaluated, introduction plastic— material locally sourced their communities' land.Aiming problem question identify potential resulting model resembles complicated challenge. only objectives better understand structure functions human communities), but also explore gaps implementation plastics' (Figure 1). Understanding dynamics foundation solution-oriented research necessary community-grounded intervention framework. Within premise considering affect nations than nations, we: (1) Argue circularity may challenging oceanic small island states (SIDS) produced, difficult repaired or recycled, affects who face challenges; by, (2) Demonstrating effectively ensure resources availability impacted current future generations unable fully participate economy, thereby exacerbating islands. issue relevant framework blue essential.Corporate accountability life cycle plasticsAlthough inherently issue, influenced supply chains, international trade mechanisms, market networks actors, largely attributed industrial corporate producing ineffective solid enabled racial capitalism. Ultimately, prioritized end-of-life focused symptom-targeted solutions, rather problem, targeted efforts limit (O'Neil, As stands, industries companies accountable responsible emissions avoid responsibilities derailing regulatory actions redirecting responsibility outside consumers managers 1); advocating supporting advances technological keep away restrictions (Vandenberg, Tangpuori Moreover, industry state enable operate form colonialism, allowing high-income dump "pollution havens" (Owens Conlon, 2021) "shadow places" (Plumwood, 2008) regulation, cost, political power. It therefore critical systematic organizations, power dynamics, structures heart central sectors. factors considered when assessing mitigating reducing pollution. For example, regional contribution footprint Islands' coastlines beaches assessed analysing overall quantity branded litter, demonstrated al. (2023). Their identified 98 manufacturers contributing four top polluters accounting 53.2% total items. Specifically, AjeGroup contributed 20%, followed Coca-Cola Company (18.2%), Tingyi Holding Corporation (8.8%) Pepsico (6.2%). remaining 46.8% was (Muñoz-Pérez 2023). Along assessment prescribed panacea negative externalities United Nations Plastics Treaty combat (UNEP, mainly pursued countries North European Union, America), acknowledging complexity versus South binary meta-categorization debate (Haugh shown Figure 1, per se ideal promoting strongly relying constantly flowing back forth consumption closed loop reuse (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, O'Neil, 2019). Yet, still inequalities neglect justice due available most exposed minority i.e., Indigenous peoples Liboiron, Low-income, well concerned less legal technical capacity implement infrastructure support approach. people living oceanic, remote, continental coast areas, native communities, countries, common public health, food safety, security microplastics. work intended SIDS, inhabiting some undeveloped countries. Galápagos: wicked problemAccording (2020), nature becoming Islands. At glance, remained virtually unchanged since Charles Darwin visited except localized urbanization three larger ubiquitous anthropogenic litter now found beaches, waters species archipelago 2020; human-populated Galápagos, hand, level municipal collection shore cleanup high fairly organized urban areas despite challenges improve first province Ecuador clear regulations ban reduce commercialization single‐use bags high‐density low‐density polyethylene bags) disposable Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) containers (Galapagos Government Council, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Contrasting efforts, uncontrolled illegal dumping constitutes compromising systems' health short long terms recurrent incidence massive fleets Asian‐flagged vessels) operating illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) activities around exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Islands Paladines, 2017; 2022) plausible mobile major sources debris bottles Asian labels islands' shorelines, recently. Similarly, circulation modelling predicted oceanographic pathways floating southeastern tropical Pacific, identifying coasts emission Van Sebille regions include Pacific America Central America, Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia, southern Ecuador, Perú, main inputs maritime traffic (Van traceable products branding information 14 transboundary these, Perú accounted 46.14% total, China 24.4% 18.32%, respectively Meijer (2021) revealed 12% share emitted eastern rivers 1,136 tons year. releases 0.09 exported air. permanent transport urbanized American continents, suggest likely impact. Additionally, centers populated Galápagos. highlight compounded foreign IUU fleets, long-range situation concerted effort will governments coordinated integrate needs preservation ecosystems. Ensuring long-term resilience healthy depends fostering actively involve management. Is Plastics' solution Galapagos?Historically, early settlements arrived archipelago, continuous unlimited population growth Galapagos matter preoccupation. How many could accommodate? much viability foster? And what remains questions answered. uncertainty, likeliness remain diminishes. During last years, active explicit arisen among bodies managed put place certain Resolutions Nro. 038-CGREG-19-XI-2014, 05-CGREG-2015 prohibit import usage single-use plastics) popular habit residents refillable water bottle) production/import/usage islands.The proposed transitioning While idea conceived reduce, reutilize, treat, export used recycled control hamper originating centres, visitors, partially environments insular region conserve surrounding ocean, zones, shores, biodiversity site, envisioned. To policy contribute dismantling eradicating linger whether formulated Westernized innovation address, mitigate, minimize exposure energy emissions, associated additives microbial pathogens reusing repairing otherwise would wellbeing, fragile ecosystems Galapagos. We claim there energy-related leaking under does gap internalize access towards portrayed recipe actually reproduce legacy According Skene (2018), imaginary garden fantasy deliver sustainability. Few authors referenced flow (e.g. Allwood 2012; Allwood, 2014), Cooper (2005) emphasized sufficiency fundamental level: "a circle circle, zero-waste means zero loop". terminology misrepresentative, re-enforcing deceiving somehow inform revolution economics closed, zero-waste, (Skene, 2018), bringing ideological agenda hypothetical-normative utopia generating uncertainty contributions depoliticizing (Corvellec Lamberton highlighted exists between growth-based expressing "the reinforces view neoclassical principles barrier achieving ecological contained contemporary interpretations development" (Lamberton, 2005, p. 53). steps needed look like reduction before internalizing circulatory SIDS First, implications sites, underdeveloped critical. experiences its consequences, fix along make decisions divorce dependence proactive end assessments (Simon exhibiting rates stemming demand success failure mitigation. feasibility plastic, socioeconomic surveys aspects behavioural ecotourism, recreation, fisheries, markets subsistence pursued. Doing perceptions sentiments generated community help basic needs, livelihood, culture, well-being, connections nature. Second, participatory consultation, treatment clean fish framed realities, stressors. transdisciplinary community-based conservation vital protection coastal, rural, assisted appropriate care, mitigation strategies, education hygiene, prevention measures environment, seafoods free Bennett Onyena close conjunction —all components refers sectors simultaneously conditions align quantification ecosystem services; see Spalding, addressed empowered equitably decision-making processes pollution.ConclusionConcerted, precautionary enforcement cap reform urgently roots just-transitions corporative manufacturing exporting sites champion innovations friendly eliminate reaches place. framework, intending oceanic-coastal

Language: Английский

Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics

Birds, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 10 - 10

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

The global crisis of plastic pollution, particularly involving microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), has profound ecological implications. Birds, serving as bioindicators, are especially susceptible to these pollutants. This systematic review synthesizes the current research on presence, distribution, impact MPs NPs avian species, alongside advancements in detection methodologies. have been identified over 200 bird species across 46 families, encompassing several ecosystems, from Antarctica Labrador, including Australia, China, South Europe. Seabirds such penguins, gulls, shearwaters exhibit a high burden tissues feces due fishing debris, while terrestrial face contamination urban agricultural sources. Depending their composition, can cause gastrointestinal damage, oxidative stress, bioaccumulation toxic chemicals, polyethylene polypropylene. However, challenges persist methodological inconsistencies, though advances spectroscopy flow cytometry offer improved accuracy. Addressing this pollution is vital for conservation ecosystem health, requiring international collaboration standardized protocols.

Language: Английский