Tackling plastic pollution

The European Commission, the United States, the National Aquarium of Denmark and the NGO Plastic Change collaborate on a touring exhibition across Europe.

Plastic pollution is a serious threat to our ocean, putting fragile ecosystems, marine life, economic livelihoods, and human health at risk. Every year we discharge 10 million tons of plastic into the ocean, where they can remain for hundreds of years. One study predicts that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans.

Citizens in several European Union Member States can learn more about ocean plastic pollution and what they can do to prevent it, thanks to cooperation between the United States, the European Commission, Den Blå Planet - the National Aquarium of Denmark, and the NGO Plastic Change. Through this partnership, a public education exhibition first shown in Copenhagen last year will travel to Estonia, Portugal, Malta, Italy and Belgium highlighting EU and US leadership in tackling marine litter. The Italian Government has also prioritised the issue of marine litter under its 2017 G7 Presidency. 

With content from scientific expeditions led by the NGO Plastic Change, the interactive exhibition raises awareness about plastic pollution, describes the impacts of micro-plastics on the ocean environment, and provides examples of simple actions individuals can take at home.

EXHIBITION DATES:

Tallinn, Estonia               7 March to mid-May

Lisbon, Portugal              24 May to August

Valletta, Malta                 September to October

Genoa, Italy                     Late October to November

Brussels, Belgium           End 2017

 

 

To find out more, please contact:

U.S. Embassy Copenhagen: Bo Gregersen,

European Commission: Iris Petsa,

National Aquarium of Denmark: Tony Jørgensen,

Plastic Change: Lisbeth Engbo,

#OurOcean
#anoceanfreeofplastic
#plasticchange
#denblåplanet