Proceedings of The 14th International Conference on Humanities, Psychology and Social Sciences
Year: 2022
DOI:
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Mitigating plastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean – An EU Approach
Céline Rodrigues
ABSTRACT:
Living already in the Decade of Ocean (2021-2030, UN) and knowing the importance of oceans and seas for Earth´s and species survival, it is clear the urgency of the protection of this global common and heritage. Being affected by human activity in land, oceans and marine life are affected by different types of pollution having one that is lasting for more than expected: plastic. Plastic marine pollution has negative consequences in different sectors of economy that are transversal, intertwined in what concerns oceans. The work aims to present what the European Union is doing to minimise its negative impact framed in the Green theory, Ecosystem Approach and circular economy. A holistic perspective based on qualitative research that helps to understand the work done by European institutions and member states to tackle the plastic pollution with different policies, at regional and local levels, expecting to be an example at global level. The Arctic region is the victim of Anthropocene action and the bell for the rest of the world. The EU strategies and policies (blue and green aligned and along with EU´s Arctic policies) have the purpose to protect the Arctic Ocean highly affected by plastic pollution as well as educating societies in changing behaviours that can save the biodiversity as it is known that oceans are important for human survival. Climate diplomacy can be the best tool to engage all actors (public, private, NGO and societies) to dialogue and commit through partnerships for concrete actions with arouse consciousness.
keywords: Arctic Ocean, Circular Economy, Ecosystem Approach, European Union, Marine Pollution, Plastic.