Latest news with #marineenvironment
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
Do plastic bag bans and fees work? A new study says policies curb litter
State and local policies to regulate the use of plastic bags have significantly reduced how many of them are found littered along U.S. shorelines — potentially cutting that type of waste in half in certain places, a new study published Thursday in the journal Science found. More than 600 bag policies, along with records from more than 45,000 shoreline cleanups between 2017 and 2023, were reviewed by researchers to see whether implementing bans or fees on plastic bags led to fewer discarded bags found near coastlines, rivers and lakes – and if they did, to what extent. Co-authors environmental economist Anna Papp and Kimberly Oremus, a marine science and policy professor at the University of Delaware, found that the number of plastic bags collected as shoreline litter in places with bag policies dropped by at least 25%, and up to 47% over six years than in locations that did not have regulations. "When we found the database that had information on different shoreline cleanups, we realized we could look at the composition of litter before and after a policy to see what effect it had," Oremus said in a statement. "And then we could compare that to places that never got a plastic bag policy." These results bring fresh insights to an issue that gained prominence over the last decade or so, as awareness spread about the harms of plastic pollution and its threats to marine environments. Oremus said it's the first attempt to comprehensively review the effectiveness of plastic bag policies on shoreline litter, using a database of global shoreline cleanup initiatives from the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy. A plastic bag on the banks of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2019. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Since 2018, more than 100 countries around the world have implemented some form of policy to either ban or limit the use of plastic bags, according to a report by the United Nations Environment Program. The U.S. doesn't have a federal bag policy, but individual towns, cities and states have policies of their own. Some states, like New York, have completely banned retailers from distributing plastic bags. Others, like Washington, passed partial bans in recent years, where thinner plastic bags deemed "single use" are prohibited, but thicker plastic bags are not. Oremus and Papp noted in the study that, although those thicker bags are usually considered "reusable" under partial bans, "there is evidence that some consumers still treat them as single-use." In multiple states without bans, local jurisdictions such as counties have taken steps to regulate plastic bag use. For example, Arlington County, Virginia, requires stores to collect a fee from customers who purchase plastic bags, at 5 cents per bag. But 17 states prevent plastic bag regulations even at the county level, with statewide "preemption" laws in place to ensure the distribution of these bags isn't regulated at all. During the study period, plastic bag litter was collected less often in shoreline cleanups that took place in areas where some form of regulation existed to curb their distribution and use, the authors said. "Our findings make clear that plastic bag policies have been broadly effective in limiting—but not eliminating—shoreline plastic bag debris in jurisdictions where it was previously prevalent," Oremus and Papp wrote in the study. They also found evidence that suggests fees on plastic bags are more effective at limiting shoreline litter than bans, especially partial bans, but understanding why would require more research.
Sky News
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Prince William warns world's oceans are 'diminishing before our eyes' in call for urgent action
Prince William has warned the world's oceans are "diminishing before our eyes" and called on the world to "think big" on how to revive them. Speaking at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco on Sunday, he said everyone is responsible for change - both negative and positive. "What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes," he said. "We all stand to be impacted." It comes as he teamed up with Sir David Attenborough in a social media video to talk about the harmful effects of over-fishing, pollution and temperature rise on our marine environment. 0:56 "This challenge is like none that we have faced before," the royal continued. "But I remain an optimist. I believe that urgency and optimism have the power to bring about the action needed to change the course of history." The Prince of Wales is also the founder and president of the Earthshot Prize, a global award that celebrates environmental initiatives. Finalists for this year's award were due to attend the event. He ended his speech with a call to action intended to go further than just Monaco or even Europe. "Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions. "Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance. "For the future of our planet. For the future generations. We must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough: 'If we save the sea, we save our world'." To coincide with the event, and to attract a greater audience, a YouTube video was posted by Kensington Palace, showing William and Sir David Attenborough laughing together as Sir David tried on his first-ever diving helmet. But their conversation soon turned to more serious matters when they discussed Sir David's new film, Oceans, and the horrific examples of damage uncovered.
ABC News
08-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
Sir David Attenborough 'appalled' by human impact on ocean floor
Natural historian David Attenborough says humanity has inflicted 'unspeakably awful' damage on the marine environment in a recorded conversation with Prince William.
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
UAE hosts the first intergovernmental session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean
Ras Al Khaimah: The UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, in collaboration with UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), hosted the First Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO-1) recently, in Ras Al Khaimah. This milestone event reflects the UAE's long-standing commitment to strengthening international cooperation in scientific research and the protection of the marine environment. The meeting established a foundational framework for IOCINDIO's work, strengthening regional cooperation in ocean sciences and supporting progress toward key sustainable development goals. It brought together experts from international organizations specializing in ocean research and marine science. The meeting addressed several key themes, including the development of joint strategies to conserve marine ecosystems, the enhancement of research and technical capabilities among member states, and the expansion of knowledge in ocean monitoring and marine resource management. It also laid the groundwork for a collaborative framework to tackle shared environmental challenges, such as climate change and ocean pollution. IOCINDIO, a regional body under UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), aims to strengthen cooperation among Indian Ocean rim countries in the fields of scientific research and sustainable development. Underscoring the UAE's growing leadership on the global stage, the UAE was elected Chair of the Commission, represented by His Excellency Dr. Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, former Director General of the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah. This prestigious appointment enables the UAE to play a central role in guiding the Commission's strategic direction, providing technical and logistical support, and advancing the coordination of regional scientific initiatives and events. His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, stated: 'The founding meeting of the Oceanographic Commission represents a significant milestone in the UAE's ongoing commitment to supporting UNESCO's programmes, particularly in the vital field of ocean sciences, which has become a global priority. At the National Commission, we remain dedicated to strengthening the UAE's presence on international scientific and cultural platforms through active collaboration with both local and global partners.' Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment said: 'We are proud to contribute to this important scientific event, which reflects the UAE's forward-looking vision to protect the marine environment and advance regional research in ocean sciences. Our collaboration with UNESCO and participating nations underscores our shared commitment to building a sustainable future for marine ecosystems.' His Excellency Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, stated: 'The meeting aligns with Ras Al Khaimah's broader strategy to support environmental and scientific initiatives while reinforcing the Emirate's position as a global hub for sustainable events. We are proud to provide a welcoming and enabling environment that fosters meaningful scientific dialogue, with the potential to positively impact coastal communities in the UAE and across the region.'
ABC News
26-05-2025
- ABC News
Communities impacted by SA's algae bloom take stock of destruction
South Australia's unprecedented algal bloom has brought death and destruction to the state's marine environment and impacted its tourism and fishing industries. The crisis has forged new connections among coastal communities that are waiting to see if the long-awaited arrival of stormy weather and cold temperatures will break up the algal bloom that was first reported in March. A group of surfers, divers, residents and Indigenous elders walked along some of the south coast's wild surf beaches at Victor Harbor on Saturday. They talked about what they had seen over the past few months. Ramindjeri and Naruunga elders Cedric Varcoe and Angelena Harradine Buckskin created and helped to organise the event with local environmental group The Wild South. They welcomed the groups of walkers as they made their way from Victor Harbor to Goolwa. Mr Varcoe said it was important for people to yarn about the effects of the lingering algae and rising water temperatures. "The main concern is the amount of our sea creatures washing up; we call them our Ngaitye because they're part of our Dreaming, part of our culture as Ramindjeri people," he said. Mr Varcoe and Aunty Angelena said the message behind the event was about healing the waters. They were pleased it had brought together people from all walks of life. Ron and Stefi Phillips, who took part in the walk, were relatively new to the community of Victor Harbor. But Mr Phillips has dived off the coast of South Australia for many years. He said he dived a local reef just days before the first impacts of the bloom were seen in March, watching and observing some of the fish and other marine life present. "A week later I could see some of them lying on the beach, which is a bit sad," he said. "We were coughing and one particular day … we were walking along and there were quite a few dead creatures and the next day I still had a burning throat," Mrs Phillips said. The couple attended a community forum in Middleton in April to find out more about the karenia mikimotoi algal bloom. Since then they have become part of the movement of citizen scientists who upload pictures of what they find on the local beaches to the iNaturalist citizen scientist database. Some walkers carried a message stick as they journeyed. It will be decorated and then taken to Naruunga Country for another Walk for Water event, to be held at Marion Bay on June 7. Surfer Scott Murdoch was entrusted with the message stick for the first part of the walk. He said he spent a lot of time on the south coast and loved the landscape. Mr Murdoch said he felt sick after being exposed to the bloom and watched with dismay its impact on wildlife. "I just wanted to show that it's important to protect these places," he said. Adelaide violin teacher Freya Davies-Ardill, who grew up in Goolwa, was one of volunteers who helped make the event happen. She was busy organising food and entertainment at the halfway mark and joined the walk for the final leg from Ratalang at Port Elliot to Goolwa. Ms Davies-Ardill said she hoped the events would send a message to the South Australian government about the importance of directing funds into research and on-the-ground efforts to document the extent of the damage to the coastal and marine environment.
