With climate change slowing down, the call to reduce plastic pollution was not in vain.
Climate change, pollution and overfishing are just some of the issues that need to be addressed to maintain the health of the blue planet. Everyone should be involved, but it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start.
Of course, we can start by ensuring reduction, reuse and recycling. However, given the scale of the challenge, these simple and relatively small steps are not enough. So how can we encourage people to do more?
There is controversy about the best method. Some people believe that focusing on simple actions can distract attention and cause people to overestimate their positive impact, thereby reducing their chances of doing more.
However, our new research shows that promoting smaller and relatively simple measures, such as reducing plastic consumption, can be a useful starting point for other potentially more effective responses to climate change.
Discussion on plastic dispersion
Up to 2050, plastic pollution in the sea doubles, and efforts to reduce plastic pollution receive broad attention. Australia is making considerable progress in this regard.
Scientists found last year that the amount of plastic waste discovered on the Australian coast has decreased by 30% since 2012-2013. Seven countries and regions in Australia have also agreed to ban single-use plastics.
However, some scientists are concerned that all the hype around plastics will distract us from the more urgent response to climate change, where marine ecosystems are deteriorating at an alarming rate and oceans are hotter than ever.
For example, if greenhouse gas emissions are not urgently reduced, coral reefs could lose more than 90% of their coral coverage within the next decade. This includes the Great Barrier Reef in our region.
Australia is lagging behind in climate protection. Many Australians are unsure what to do. For example, a 2020-study of 4000-Australians asked what it takes to help the Great Barrier Reef. The most common reaction (25.6%) is to reduce plastic pollution. Only 4.1% of people mentioned specific measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
