NODC supports Back to Blue’s initiative against marine pollution

Matteo Vinci and Marina Lipizer of the NODC were interviewed by Back to Blue, an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation, to produce the report on chemical marine pollution entitled ‘Invisible Wave: Getting to zero chemical pollution in the ocean’. The documentation underpins the discussion paper 'The Zero-Pollution Ocean: a call to close the evidence gap' recently launched by Back to Blue to spark a conversation on how to coordinate a global response to marine pollution.

The expert consultation points out that while macroplastics have attracted enormous attention, marine pollution is much more about invisible contaminants: microplastics, industrial chemicals, runoff from cities and rivers, pollution from shipping and offshore drilling, sewage, air pollution, pharmaceutical contaminants. They make up the invisible wave of pollution in the oceans, which is almost unknown.

The initiative appeals to everyone, including scientists, activists, policy makers, investors and business leaders to share their views and advocate for the following recommendations:

• That marine pollution - beyond plastic - be a key issue at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and other key meetings
• That the UN Ocean Decade framework be used to promote effective collaboration between the various agencies that collect and hold data and other resources relevant to understanding marine pollution
• A roadmap showing the way to a comprehensive global understanding of marine pollution by 2025
• Raise awareness of marine pollution among policy makers, business leaders and the general public.

Submit the call by 30 April 2023 to make visible the invisible wave of marine pollution!