URI_Research _Magazine_Momentum_Spring_2020_Melissa-McCarthy

Plastics issues are not restricted by borders or political agendas, presenting a pervasive challenge for all continents and citizens of the world.

Richard Vevers CEO, The Ocean Agency A non-profit foundation on URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus.

Names will go here

diverse expertise on topics ranging from waste management to textiles production to marine biology and public education. The retreat included a series of keynote presentations and panel discussions, coupled with ample opportunities for people from the varied sectors to brainstorm together. The goals were

to connect people and ideas, and to communicate about current plastics control efforts and perspectives with the intention of providing new collaborations that will accelerate research to address this challenge. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) summarized his national efforts with Senate colleagues to “Save Our Seas” and detailed how his office and others might lend a hand to support collaborative work. “My colleagues and I worked hard to pass the bipartisan Save Our Seas Act, and are working hard to pass Save Our Seas 2.0, because we see the effects marine plastic waste has on the health of our communities and the ocean,” says Senator Whitehouse. “But we can’t do it alone. I’m grateful for the work URI researchers are doing to reduce plastic waste in Rhode Island and beyond.” A governance session followed Whitehouse’s remarks, exploring local to global solutions for marine plastic debris. The panel of experts discussed the plastics research landscape along with current data and available resources, and where stakeholders might prioritize efforts. They highlighted structures in place to help accelerate solutions, and what were some of the barriers to progress.

Demi Fox, NE Regional Coordinator, NOAA

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