Margaret Spring

We’ve seen what happens when we gamble with our coasts. We can’t afford to repeat it. #California #WestCoast #OffshoreDrilling #Energy #Ocean

More #offshore drilling doesn’t serve the public. It serves the #oil and #gas industry at the expense of #ocean health, human #health, #climate resilience, and the coastal communities who depend on a clean, thriving ocean.

Reopening the Pacific #OCS to drilling ignores everything we learned from #Deepwater Horizon, #Refugio, and #Cosco-Busan. It steers us backward toward the same risks that devastated communities, #wildlife, and coastal economies.

My years at #NOAA responding to the #Deepwater Horizon disaster—the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history—left an unforgettable mark on me. That’s why the newly proposed National Outer Continental Shelf #Oil and #Gas Leasing Program is so alarming.

Why U.S. Business Has A Vested Interest In A Plastic Pollution Treaty Instead of defunding international groups like UNEP that tackle environmental issues, the U.S. could negotiate on behalf of American businesses.

From supply chain instability to consumer demand for sustainability, the private sector has every reason to support an ambitious #GlobalPlasticsTreaty that reduces plastic production, drives innovation, - and protects human and environmental health. #INC5

www.forbes.com/sites/kriste...

Plastics pollution is surging — the planned UN treaty to curb it must be ambitious New research on nanoplastics pollution and ‘chemicals of concern’ underscores the need for a strong agreement when negotiations restart in Switzerland next month.

I’ve seen firsthand how science, diplomacy, and community voices can drive real change. But the #GlobalPlasticsTreaty must be legally binding in order reduce plastic production, phase out harmful chemicals, and prioritize equity. Let’s not miss this moment. #INC5

That's not all. Recently published studies on #PlasticChemicals show that of the 16,000 individual chemicals found in plastics, there are more than 4,200 ‘chemicals of concern’ that do not naturally break down in the environment, for example, or that are #toxic.

Our oceans now contain 27 million tonnes of #nanoplastics, particles invisible to the naked eye but impossible to ignore. These tiny fragments infiltrate every level of the marine food web with devastating consequences for ecosystems, seafood, and human health. #PlasticPollution

I’m honored to join a panel hosted by @ChathamHouse #thinktank and the ISC @sciencecouncil.bsky.social to inform what may be the final round of negotiations for a #globaltreaty to end #plasticpollution.

🗓️ 14 July 2025 | 5:00–6:30PM BST
📍 Chatham House + Online
www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...

On a pristine Australian island the birds are so full of plastic they crunch It's an exclusive tourist destination and one of the most pristine places on the planet. It's the last place you would expect to find birds with bellies so full of plastic that they crunch if you sque...

778 pieces of plastic in a seabird chick, in one of the most pristine corners of our planet. This is a signal of a global crisis, #plastic has deeply infiltrated ecosystems and food chains. A #GlobalPlasticsTreaty must prioritize science and the health of our planet. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

What are the research gaps needed to fully understand microplastic impacts to our health? What mitigation strategies can states, including #California, use to reduce exposure sources?

Final webinar about #microplastics and human #health recording here: tinyurl.com/ebaje4w3

ISC Expert Group publishes Nature Sustainability comment on scientific priorities for plastics treaty - International Science Council The Expert group on plastic pollution convened by the International Science Council outlines science-based recommendations to inform the final stages of plastics treaty negotiations and a robust and e...

This is a crucial moment for taking a stand against ever-increasing levels of global plastic pollution and its harms to people, wildlife, and our environment. Let’s make it count. council.science/news/nature-...

We call on Member States to include binding provisions that address currently unsustainable levels of plastic production and related harmful impacts. #SciencePolicy #Sustainability #PlasticPollution #EnvironmentalHealth #INC5 #GlobalGovernance #Plastics #PolicyForChange

Negotiations on a global #plasticstreaty (INC 5.2) resume in Geneva in early August. Our ISC Expert Group on Plastic Pollution outline 4 key elements for an effective treaty and related provisions in the Chair’s negotiating text for further scientific input - www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Cristian’s #snowyplover #tattoo is more than beautiful art, it’s a symbol of protection, family, hope, and the power of conservation. The #EndangeredSpeciesAct isn’t just about saving wildlife—it’s about protecting the balance that sustains us all. 💙 Let’s keep lifting up voices like Cristian’s!

Plastic may be warming the planet more than we thought Most models haven’t accounted for how microplastics may increase global warming by disrupting natural cycles that store carbon.

The new report elevates the need to further investigate the impact of #plastic on these critical ecosystems. Thanks to @washingtonpost.com for covering this important work!

#Microplastics #Carbon #CarbonSink #CarbonSequestration #ClimateChange

Publications | Plastics & Climate

What does the #science say about how plastic affects climate? In three ways: (1) emission of greenhouse gases, (2) impacts on organisms that store carbon, and (3) radiative effects, altering how the planet reflects sunlight, absorbs heat, and traps warmth. www.plasticsandclimate.com/publications

Cover of a report with plastic bottles, cups, and bags floating in the ocean. The title is "Plastic: Exposing Their Climate Impacts". Subtext reads "What we know, what we need to know, and recommendations for research and policy." Dated May 2025.

We know #plastics are not just a “waste” problem, plastics are also a #climate problem. We are glad to be part of the first report to comprehensively assess the existing peer-reviewed data on climate impacts of plastics and outlines research and policy recommendations we can start on right now.

We’ll focus our discussion on three key sectors: packaging, building materials, and textiles. I’m looking forward to focusing on solutions that are scaled to the scope of the problem of plastic pollution. #Plastics #Plastic #LifeCycleManagement #LCM #Sustainability #OceanPlastic

Circularity and Plastics--A Workshop Register for this event from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

To create a healthier ocean and human society, we need to examine, address, and take action at each stage of the plastic life cycle. You can still register to participate virtually: buff.ly/JSJVVg2

I’m excited to join an incredible group of experts at the @nationalacademies.org Plastic Roundtable Workshop: Circularity and Plastics in Washington, DC this week.

Our workshop will explore and identify actionable pathways to achieve a future state of plastics within a circular economy.

Distribution of Microplastics in the Environment and Human Exposure Pathways YouTube video by National Academies - Earth and Life Studies

The @nationalacademies.org panel on microplastics in the environment & human exposure pathways from March 20 is online! It features me, Bart Koelmans, @traceywoodruff.bsky.social, Jane Muncke of @fpffoundation.bsky.social & @margaretspring.bsky.social.

Full vid: www.youtube.com/watch?v=96rI...

How can knowledge of microplastics hotspots inform decision-making that protect human health?
Join @nationalacademies.org for a webinar on 3/20 on the distribution and sources of human exposure. RSVP: www.nationalacademies.org/event/44668_...
#Microplastics #PublicHealth

Science under threat | Royal Society The Royal Society will use its voice and the expertise of our Fellows to resist the various challenges to science.

🧪 @royalsociety.org speaks out.

"Scientific evidence & those who advocate for it are under attack by those who wish to undermine rational debate... The Royal Society will use its voice and the expertise of our Fellows to resist the various challenges to science."

royalsociety.org/news/2025/02...

We Have the opportunity to demonstrate to the world that a California with less single-use plastic is within reach!

Plastic pollution impacts not only the health of our ocean but also our communities, ecosystems, and planet. @governor.ca.gov, we urge you not to delay the SB 54 regulations.

Union of Concerned Scientists The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with people across the country, we combine technical analysis and eff...

Hello 🔬🔭🥼🧪🌊 #science on BlueSky! Be aware that @ucsusa.bsky.social has many assets and sign on letters aimed at supporting and defending science and scientists at this challenging moment. Check it out! www.ucsusa.org

Glad to see our #PlasticTreaty blog emphasizing the need to address #humanhealth among these most read blogs! @sciencecouncil.bsky.social @montereyaq.bsky.social

H.E. Prof. Rahma Al-Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research & Innovation of the Sultanate of #Oman, attended the pre-event workshop on Freedom & Responsibility in Science, welcoming participants ahead of the #MuscatISC Global Knowledge Dialogue (27–28 Jan).

Here in Oman at #MuscatISC to learn more about global #science innovations and share knowledge across @sciencecouncil.bsky.social organizations about how we unite to support science in decisionmaking. 🌊🌎🔬

Permanently safeguarding these vital ocean ecosystems is an historic action that supports a better future for our blue planet.
#ProtectOurCoast #OceanClimateAction #ClimateChange