Almost three-quarters of the world’s population lives within 50 km of the sea, originating multiple stressors that have negative effects on coastal zones. Marine litter pollution, particularly plastic debris, is a global concern for which the international community declared the urgency to act. Cities and coastal communities are associated with land-based marine pollution, which can result from run-off, sewage overflows, littering, poor waste disposal and management, and industrial activities. To a lesser extent, marine debris comes from the sea, with plastic pollution coming mainly from fishery, recreational boating and aquaculture, among others. Local administrations are also part of the solutions promoting policies for prevention, reduction and recycling supporting new technologies and innovation as well as engaging citizens into action. Currently, the institutions emphasize the need for coordinated action among countries supported by regional and international conventions. Emphasizing instruments to reduce and eliminate marine plastic pollution at all levels of the value chain, by discouraging plastic use and educating to achieve a sustainable consumption.
Science, Policy and Society are essential to support the transformative change in the socio-economical system towards the coastal cities of the future. This session will focus on the experiences of researchers, local authorities and citizens in addressing plastic pollution building up a dialogue around best practices and experiences mainly in the Mediterranean coasts.
