Plastic Plague: Global Governance and the "Plastisphere"

While we have known for some time that plastic debris is a visible nuisance in oceans, increasing evidence suggests it is, bluntly, everywhere – from the Antarctic Ocean to the St. Lawrence Seaway – and that the problem is getting worse. We have moved from casual observations and stern warnings to sophisticated, verifiable scientific evidence and an emergent global policy imperative. This plastic plague is not only relevant for ecological reasons but is also presents a “governance of the commons” puzzle for practitioner and theorist alike, as well as a further challenge for the climate justice movement. Peter Stoett from Concordia University in Canada discusses the enormity of the plastics problem and the emerging science that suggests that ocean acidification, the potential breakdown of the ocean ecosystem food chain, rises in sea levels, invasive species, and plastic marine debris are interlinked variables. Responses by Associate Professor Ruth Barcan and Fiona Allon, Gender and Culture Studies at the University. For more information click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.