Foto: Eivind Senneset
Not everyone at BIO may be familiar with the Plastics Network. This initiative was established a few years ago as part of UiB’s strategic focus on marine research. The Plastics Network aims to promote cross-disciplinary research on plastic and microplastic pollution in the oceans, addressing topics such as the presence, distribution, and impacts of plastic pollution, as well as its societal, legal, and human health implications.
The Plastics Network is currently led from BIO, and last Friday, we organized the third annual plastics symposium at Marineholmen. Each year, the symposium focuses on a different aspect of plastic pollution; this year’s topic was Microplastics and Human Health. The meeting attracted significant interest, with over 250 registered participants—most of these attended digitally. UiB Rector Margareth Hagen opened the symposium, and invited speakers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the National Institute of Occupational Health, Maastricht University, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway delivered engaging and insightful presentations. UiB was also well represented, with contributions from research projects led from the Centre for Nutrition (Faculty of Medicine), which also involve researchers at BIO.
Plastic pollution research is still in its early stages, with many challenges ahead. A key obstacle is the development and harmonization of methods for detecting and quantifying micro- and nanoplastics in environmental samples, tissues, and organisms. Plastics are pervasive, found everywhere from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, affecting all of us. Advancing this complex field requires diverse expertise and collaboration across disciplines. Equally crucial is the establishment of international, legally binding agreements to reduce and ultimately end plastic pollution. This week, the fifth and final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution began in Busan, South Korea. Norway has been an active participant in these negotiations and remains at the table. Let´s hope for a positive outcome—just in time as we approach the start of Advent this Sunday. Have a nice weekend!
PS! All researchers, students, and employees interested in plastic related issues are welcome to join the Plastic Network. Send me an email, and we will add you to the network.
Best regards,
Odd André