Breaking the plastic wave: Solving the plastic pollution problem

Jim Palardy - Project Director, Conservation Science Program, The Pew Charitable Trusts Abstract: Plastic has become ubiquitous on store shelves and in our homes. From wrapped food and disposable bottles to microbeads in body washes, it’s used widely as packaging or in products because it’s versatile, cheap, and convenient. But this convenience comes with a price. Plastic waste enters terrestrial and aquatic systems at an alarming rate – nearly 30 million tons annually - where it harms life and damages habitats. This talk will provide an overview of the current trajectory for plastic pollution and highlight a solution that is better for the environment, better for the economy, and better for communities – with a focus on opportunities to leverage and challenges to overcome. Biography: Dr. Jim Palardy directs the Conservation Science program at The Pew Charitable Trusts. In this position, he identifies horizon issues and emerging science, develops research projects that inform evidence-based policy recommendations, and contributes technical expertise that helps ensure the scientific integrity of Pew’s environmental programs throughout their lifecycle. In addition to his work on plastics, Jim and his team have recently developed models to assess trade-offs among conservation and human outcomes, assessed the use of emerging genetic tools in marine fisheries management, and developed a framework to help promote the use of science in management and policy. Dr. Palardy holds a BA in biology and marine science from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from Brown University.Ope