Plastics released into the marine environment harm wildlife and ecosystems, breaking down into toxic microplastics that poison the food chain, affecting over 4,000 marine species. Plastic pollution in the ocean continues to rise due to mismanaged waste and marine activities, with an estimated 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics in the world's upper oceans. The need to address plastic pollution by reducing production, promoting reuse, and finding alternatives to single-use plastics is crucial, highlighting the social and economic impacts on marine habitats, human livelihoods, and food security. Emphasizing prevention over clean-ups and recycling, a global plastics treaty is being pursued by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, led by the UN Environment Programme, to combat plastic pollution on an international scale.
Category: Uncategorized
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Inclusive fisheries leadership on Mafia Island
In Gonge village on Mafia Island, Tanzania, women have secured nearly half of all leadership positions in the newly established Beach Management Unit (BMU), marking a significant shift in fisheries governance. The BMU gives communities a formal role in managing and protecting marine resources they depend on. Through awareness-building, training, and dialogue, women in Gonge were empowered to participate in leadership and decision-making roles. This inclusive approach has led to women holding 47.6% of leadership positions within the BMU, setting a powerful example of gender inclusion in fisheries governance. The process involved breaking down cultural barriers, providing practical skills, and ongoing support for new leaders. The shift towards more inclusive leadership in coastal communities in Tanzania was driven by local priorities and aspirations, rather than external requirements, with support from organizations like WATONET, Blue Ventures, and the Mafia District Council providing technical expertise and guidance. This approach highlights the importance of incorporating diverse voices and perspectives in decisions that impact the future of coastal communities in the Western Indian Ocean region.
https://blueventures.org/inclusive-fisheries-leadership-on-mafia-island/
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Funding Carbon Removal Beyond Deployment
Transformative investment in carbon removal interventions is essential for addressing challenges related to community trust, tangible value, and long-term alignment. This approach supports community relationships, value creation, stewardship, and durability, aiming to ensure the success of carbon removal projects. By focusing on restorative capital strategies, community engagement, and equitable governance, transformative investment seeks to regenerate resources, create local wealth, and strengthen social, economic, and ecological systems alongside carbon removal efforts. This approach not only addresses barriers to deployment, such as delays and opposition but also enhances public legitimacy and long-term durability of interventions. Ultimately, transformative investment is becoming a core indicator of intervention design for sustainable and effective climate solutions.
https://carbon180.org/blog/funding-carbon-removal-beyond-deployment/
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Halfway to COP31: Why the Bonn Climate Meeting Matters
The upcoming SB64 meeting in Bonn will be crucial for showcasing the importance of international cooperation in addressing climate change amidst geopolitical instability and demonstrating implementation of the Paris Agreement at COP31. Parties will review various work programmes related to climate mitigation, agriculture, food security, technology, and climate empowerment, aiming to assess effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and ensure strategic resource use. Discussions will also focus on the Belém – Addis Vision on adaptation, the global stocktake process, a new work programme on climate finance, and cooperation with other international organizations. Various dialogues and sessions will align finance flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement, emphasizing the importance of connecting technical deliberations with broader political and economic realities to support investment certainty, economic resilience, and international cooperation in climate action.
https://www.c2es.org/2026/06/halfway-to-cop31-why-the-bonn-climate-meeting-matters-unfccc/
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How NASA Uses Light to Detect Waste From Mines
NASA's EMIT instrument is being used to analyze mine waste from space, identifying abandoned mines in the American West that require urgent cleanup to protect waterways from pollution. This technology helps prioritize remediation efforts, focusing on areas where water quality is most at risk. Abandoned mines pose a significant threat to the region's water quality, but satellite technology is aiding in efficiently and effectively addressing this environmental challenge.
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/how-nasa-uses-light-to-detect-waste-from-mines/
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Introducing the demand triangle
To effectively address climate change, cutting emissions and actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are necessary. The US has made progress in this area, but challenges remain, including a small and concentrated market for carbon removal. A three-part policy framework called the "Demand Triangle" is proposed to address these challenges, including public procurement, shifting costs to industrial emitters, and leveling the playing field with trade policy. This framework aims to support the growth of a successful carbon removal industry while limiting consumer exposure to price increases, ultimately leading to the US leading a global carbon removal industry worth up to $1 trillion by 2050. The section discusses the importance of finding solutions that benefit the climate, industry, and communities most affected by climate change, emphasizing the need for action to address the consequences of inaction.
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Environmental News Network – New Global Map Helps Protect the World’s Lakes
The Global Lakes Explorer, a new interactive global map, reveals the impact of pollution and climate change on lakes worldwide by allowing users to explore nutrient inputs like phosphorus and nitrogen. Developed through an international initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Environment Programme, the platform was led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in collaboration with global research partners. This tool provides valuable insights into how lake pollution may evolve in the future, offering climate solutions experts a comprehensive view of the challenges facing freshwater ecosystems.
https://www.enn.com/articles/78016-new-global-map-helps-protect-the-world-s-lakes
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New ICT toolkit for integrated climate change assessment developed by EU-funded NEVERMORE project
The EU-funded NEVERMORE project has developed an ICT toolkit that integrates climate science, socio-economic data, and stakeholder knowledge to support climate change assessment. This toolkit includes tools like a catalogue explorer, case study tool, EU-global scale tool, and gamification tool to aid in scenario evaluation, policy prioritization, and stakeholder learning. Through a dedicated MOOC programme on the project website, stakeholders can explore the toolkit to enable informed decision-making and climate action at local, regional, and global levels. This interactive toolkit aims to provide the necessary resources for stakeholders to make impactful climate solutions.
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Environmental News Network – Fungi Found on Coconut Husks Can Decompose Plastic and Sunscreen
Vera Wang, a senior at Kaiser High School, won multiple awards at the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Science & Engineering Fair for her research on fungi that can degrade plastic and sunscreen. Conducted in Anthony Amend's lab at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Wang's success was attributed to her vision and the support of the public school system. Her research has given optimism about the future of science in Hawaiʻi, and she has qualified for the International Science & Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona. This breakthrough in using fungi for plastic degradation could be a significant step towards sustainable solutions for plastic waste.
https://www.enn.com/articles/78003-fungi-found-on-coconut-husks-can-decompose-plastic-and-sunscreen
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UN climate resolution passes despite US opposition
A United Nations resolution, supported by 141 countries, was adopted despite opposition from the U.S. and oil-producing nations, acknowledging the International Court of Justice's opinion that governments can be held liable for climate inaction. The resolution calls for compliance with international climate obligations, urges action on Paris Agreement pledges, and aims to transition away from fossil fuels. Climate-vulnerable countries see it as a victory in highlighting global inaction on climate change, while green groups and youth activists view it as a turning point in holding countries accountable for damaging the climate. The resolution signals countries' commitment to addressing climate change and aligns against those opposed to climate action, despite some countries expressing disagreement and attempts by oil-producing countries to weaken it.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/un-climate-resolution-passes-despite-us-opposition/