Marine plastic pollution as a novel entity within the Planetary Boundaries Framework

Could marine plastic pollution be integrated as a novel entity within the planetary boundary framework? We know that human activities are capable of changing the normal function of Earth-systems processes. One of the most evident contemporary anthropogenic activities is the use and disposal of plastic. Overall, plastics represent 10% of the solid waste weight. Furthermore, plastic items represent 95% of marine litter on a global scale. The magnitude of the effects of marine plastic pollution remains uncertain. In this thesis, I analyse the perspectives of key experts on the social-ecological processes involved in marine plastic pollution. I use a driver-pressure-state-impact-response framework for the analysis of the interviews, to show how these experts see marine plastic pollution affecting Earth-system processes. I conclude that, from a qualitative perspective, marine plastic pollution does fulfil the criteria for chemical pollution to pose a planetary boundary threat, therefore it could be considered for inclusion in the planetary boundary framework