EnACT

A Bill to Break down Microplastics

Location

Room #2 (A115)

Document Type

Presentation

Type

EnACT

UN Sustainable Development Goal

UNSDG #12: Responsible Consumption and Reduction

Start Date

26-4-2023 10:10 AM

End Date

26-4-2023 10:25 AM

Abstract

Plastic has been an ever growing problem polluting our modern world. According to the Institute of Physics: Earth and Environmental Science journal, global plastic production is growing at an alarming rate of 4% every year. Furthermore, approximately 10% of produced plastics end up in the ocean, primarily through trans-oceanic travel. This is bad because over time, these plastics degrade into microplastics, as stated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Microplastics can take almost 500 years to completely decompose and in that time they infiltrate sea organisms, spreading toxins all the way up the food chain. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. This organization has become the ultimate limiter of the microplastics from merchant ships, which is why we propose legislation that aims to fund this branch of the US Department of Defense. In order to provide the necessary funding, a tax will be implemented on seacraft spilling microplastics.

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Apr 26th, 10:10 AM Apr 26th, 10:25 AM

A Bill to Break down Microplastics

Room #2 (A115)

Plastic has been an ever growing problem polluting our modern world. According to the Institute of Physics: Earth and Environmental Science journal, global plastic production is growing at an alarming rate of 4% every year. Furthermore, approximately 10% of produced plastics end up in the ocean, primarily through trans-oceanic travel. This is bad because over time, these plastics degrade into microplastics, as stated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Microplastics can take almost 500 years to completely decompose and in that time they infiltrate sea organisms, spreading toxins all the way up the food chain. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. This organization has become the ultimate limiter of the microplastics from merchant ships, which is why we propose legislation that aims to fund this branch of the US Department of Defense. In order to provide the necessary funding, a tax will be implemented on seacraft spilling microplastics.