Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Post

Big news today in the fight to end the plastic pollution crisis! The White House has laid out a new strategy to help address plastic pollution at every stage of the plastic lifecycle. Importantly, this plan centers the need to protect environmental and human health and calls for reducing plastic production. The Biden-Harris administration also announced a new goal to reduce plastic consumption by phasing out the purchase and use of single-use plastic across the federal government by 2027 for all food service and packaging as well as at events – and by 2035 to eliminate their use entirely. The Administration also called on the international community to take action to cut back on plastic production – one of the top science-based solutions Monterey Bay Aquarium has called for in negotiations to shape an ambitious #GlobalPlasticTreaty this year. This is a major step forward and a shift in how the United States tackles this issue. It comes as scientific evidence continues to grow about the serious harm that plastic pollution, production of plastic, and microplastics pose to human and environmental health. These risks are particularly acute for vulnerable or disadvantaged communities and groups – including women and children. I applaud this bold leadership and look forward to supporting the next steps. The administration’s approach wisely aligns with recommendations made by a bipartisan panel of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, chaired by Aquarium Chief Conservation and Science Officer Margaret Spring. The plan identifies and builds momentum for opportunities for federal action, including many identified by the Aquarium and the Environmental Law Institute in a recent joint report. Plastic is ubiquitous in modern life. We must spark innovation to find new, more sustainable ways of doing things that don’t cause the harm associated with producing plastic from fossil fuels and toxic chemical additives. We can shift to better approaches that safeguard public health and vulnerable communities. I’m proud of the leadership that the Aquarium and our colleagues in the nationwide Aquarium Conservation Partnership have shown by championing public policies and changing our own business practices to cut back or eliminate single-use plastic. With your strong support, we’ve also helped California become a world leader in tackling – and reducing – plastic pollution at the source. This is a moment to celebrate – and for continued action to fight plastic pollution together. Thank you for all you do to safeguard the health of the ocean and everyone who depends on it! https://lnkd.in/gfrd4wNW #PlasticPollution #PlasticProduction #microplastics #NoTimeToWaste #ActOnPlastic #EnvironmentalHealth #EnvironmentalJustice #leadership

Congratulations to UC Santa Cruz alumna, ocean scientist, and Monterey Bay Aquarium co-founder and Executive Director Julie Packard on being honored with the UC Presidential Medal, the system’s highest honor! Julie is the first UC Santa Cruz graduate to receive the medal, which was bestowed by UC President Dr. Michael Drake. It recognizes her tireless work to safeguard the world’s marine ecosystems, her longstanding commitment to UC Santa Cruz and the UC system, and for inspiring generations of students to study and protect oceans worldwide. Julie was also honored recently with a UC Santa Cruz Foundation Medal, which recognizes individuals of exceptionally distinguished achievement whose work exemplifies the vision and ideals of UC Santa Cruz. What Julie has done with the aquarium is absolutely remarkable, establishing it as a must-see destination while also making it a leader in ocean policy. Very few people have the vision, presence and talents to accomplish something like that. Her impact on ocean conservation has been enormous, and her affiliation with our campus brings me and so many in our community great pride. What well-deserved honors! #ucsc #montereybayaquarium #mbari #highimpactscience