It’s time to talk about a United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution. After months of anticipation, this episode focuses on the treaty’s negotiating process, the main actors involved, and the key interests at play. Joined by expert guest Tara Olsen, a researcher from Lund University, the conversation explores the complexities of treaty negotiations, including the differences between signing and ratifying a treaty, the influence of international law, and the possible outcomes of the upcoming final negotiation session. Packed with insights, this episode provides a deep dive into the current state of the global effort to regulate plastic pollution and what might come next.

Episode Guests: Tara Olsen

Connect with Tara Olsen here.

More on the Scientist’s Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty

Follow the treaty negotiations with CIEL

Follow the treaty negotiations with IISD

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Plastic Podcast, host Clark Marchese dives into the emergence and spread of anti-plastic movements, tracing their roots from local grassroots actions to global health policy. Clark speaks with Leah Shipton, a PhD candidate specializing in global health policy, who explains how health concerns drove the formation of anti-plastic norms worldwide. They discuss the role of norm entrepreneurs in spreading these norms, the challenges posed by industry-backed anti-entrepreneurs, and how this momentum led to the UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution. This insightful conversation ties together themes from previous episodes, setting the stage for the series finale, where the treaty itself will be explored in depth.

Episode Guests: Leah Shipton

Find more information about Leah Shipton here.

Find a link to Leah Shipton’s article here.

Find more of Leah Shipton’s research on Google Scholar

Follow Leah Shipton on X

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we dive into the case study of Cancer Alley. We investigate the environmental and health impacts of a region in Louisiana notorious for its high concentration of petrochemical plants. The discussion focuses on how pollution from these industries contributes to disproportionately high cancer rates, particularly in marginalized communities. Special guests Dr. Kimberly Terrell and Gianna St. Julien from Tulane Environmental Law Clinic share insights from their groundbreaking studies that link air pollution to increased cancer risks and explore the concept of environmental racism. The episode also highlights grassroots activism efforts aimed at addressing these injustices and the ongoing fight for meaningful policy change in the region.

Episode Guests: Dr. Kimberly Terrell and Gianna St. Julien

More on the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic

Find the Toxic Air Pollution Report here

Find the Racial Demographic Report here

More on the Louisiana Bucket Brigade

More on Rise St. James

More on Concerned Citizens of St. John

Pine Forest Media Something in the Water episode on plastic here

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the fascinating world of neuston—tiny organisms living on the ocean's surface—and how they interact with plastic pollution in the South Indian Ocean subtropical gyre. In this episode of the Plastic Podcast, host Clark Marchese is joined by marine ecologist Dr. Mark Gibbons from the University of the Western Cape. Together, they delve into the unique dynamics of neuston communities, their role in the marine ecosystem, and the implications of plastic pollution on these delicate life forms. Learn why understanding these interactions is vital for future ocean cleanup efforts and the preservation of marine biodiversity.

Episode Guests: Dr. Mark Gibbons

Find more information about Dr. Gibbons here.

Find a link to Dr. Gibbon’s article here.

Find more of Dr. Gibbon’s research on Google Scholar

Find images of all the cool neuston we talked about today here.

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring the intersection of tourism and plastic pollution, this episode dives into how vacations contribute to environmental challenges. Host Clark Marchese talks with Dr. Farzana Quoquab, an expert in green marketing and sustainable development, about the link between tourism and increased plastic waste. They discuss the structural issues within the tourism industry, the role of governments, businesses, and individuals in reducing plastic pollution, and highlight success stories from countries like Malaysia and the Maldives. Tune in to learn how to be a more responsible tourist and what actions can be taken to protect our planet’s most beautiful destinations.

Episode Guests: Dr. Farzana Quoquab

Find more information about Dr. Quoquab here.

Find a link to Dr. Quoquab’s article here.

Find more of Dr. Quoquab’s research on Google Scholar and Research Gate

Find the article about Cape Town, beach pollution, and the impact on the local economy here.

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media website

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this science-focused episode of Plastic Podcast, host Clark Marchese takes listeners on a deep dive into the world of ocean garbage patches and microplastic hotspots. Joined by Dr. Annika Jahnke and PhD candidate Robbie Rynek, the episode explores a groundbreaking research expedition across the Pacific Ocean, from Vancouver to Singapore. The team discusses the surprising findings, including high concentrations of microplastics in unexpected areas, and the challenges of mapping plastic pollution in the vast oceans. Learn about the critical intersections of plastic and marine life, the implications for environmental policy, and the ongoing efforts to combat this growing issue. Tune in for a fascinating journey into the heart of one of our planet's most pressing environmental concerns.

Episode Guests: Dr. Annika Jahnke and Robby Rynek

Find a link to Dr. Annika Jahnke and Robby Rynek’s project here

Find a link to Dr. Annika Jahnke and Robby Rynek’s article here

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode delves into Indigenous-led environmental management and the interaction of plastics with Indigenous communities. It explores how Indigenous approaches to plastic pollution offer unique and effective solutions. The episode features an insightful conversation with Riley Cotter, a Master's student at Memorial University, whose research bridges natural science and social justice. Riley discusses their work on microplastics in surface waters and the importance of Indigenous participation in environmental governance. The discussion highlights the diversity of Indigenous perspectives and the need for inclusive, justice-oriented frameworks in plastic pollution management. Join us for an enlightening episode on the intersection of science, society, and Indigenous knowledge.

Episode Guests: Riley Cotter

Read Riley Cotter’s Review of Participation of Indigenous Peoples in Plastics Pollution Governance

Read Dr. Max Libiron’s article Pollution is Colonialism

Find more information about the CLEAR Lab

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.