Marine plastic debris has evolved from being a problem to a cross-cutting crisis impacting natural and human environments across the world. Holistic approaches are needed to address the multifaceted, wide-spread and complex nature of this issue. We argue that a new global governance approach is essential, however, it needs to be aligned with interdisciplinary solutions – sound science and data collection; changes to behavioural psychology; utilising education as a tool; and through changes to management and policy processes. We argue that truly effective prevention is a long-term process that must begin at the ground level with smarter consumer choices, industrial consciousness and responsibility, and an overarching local to global governance framework.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	marine pollution, governance, oceans, plastics
Research Division:	Human Society
Research Group:	Policy and administration
Research Field:	Public policy
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Coastal and estuarine systems and management
Objective Field:	Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems
UTAS Author:	Vince, J (Dr Joanna Vince)
ID Code:	126383
Year Published:	2018
Web of Science® Times Cited:	36
Deposited By:	Office of the School of Social Sciences
Deposited On:	2018-06-07
Last Modified:	2018-12-17
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