Environmental And Health Risks Of Microplastic Pollution

06/13/22 • 39 min

In this episode of Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with Dr Scott Wilson Chief Scientist at Earthwatch Institute Australia and the Research Director of the Australasian Microplastic Assessment Project. He's also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Earth as well as Environmental Sciences at Macquarie University.

In his role as Research Director for the Australasian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP), the Eureka Prize-winning citizen science initiative that researches microplastic pollution hotspots and its sources, he collaborates closely with stakeholders on finding practical solutions to microplastic pollution across Asia Pacific and Europe.

Scott has always wanted to make an impact on the environment and in his new role at Earthwatch Institute Australia, he now has a broader opportunity for more engagement and impact not only in Australia but globally.

His current focus is understanding the causes and impacts of plastics on the environment while collaborating with stakeholders and the community across the country.

In this episode, Scott addresses the need for educating and raising public awareness about a variety of environmental concerns, as well as a number of programs offered by Earthwatch Institute Australia for local communities to get involved in.

He also discusses his involvement in several other environmental projects, including the ClimateWatch program, a community-based venture aimed at documenting seasonal changes like plant flowering and seasonal animal migrations and educating communities on how these trends are affected by changing climate patterns.

Scott also discusses Earthwatch’s new Tiny Forest program, which uses Miyawaki Japanese botany to boost biodiversity through the dense planting of endemic vegetation in urban areas.

Scott also talks more about his work with the AUSMAP program dedicated to researching the environmental repercussions and the eradication of ‘per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances’ (PFAS) contaminants in the environment, and also his work with the Australian non-profit environmental organisation the Total Environment Centre, and its partnerships between universities and local communities.

Scott highlights recent studies on the increasing amounts of microplastics and other contaminants in the atmosphere, and also speaks in detail about how both positive and negative trends in exponential plastic manufacturing and use will affect the environment and particularly the ocean over the next thirty years.

Finally, Scott discusses his work with the Australian non-profit environmental organisation, the Total Environment Centre, and its partnerships between universities and local communities.

Thanks to Dr Scott Wilson for this important conversation. Please visit the Earthwatch website www.earthwatch.org.au for more information on its various projects and to find out how you can also play your part in helping the environment and making a difference in the world.

This episode of Beyond The Green Line was brought to you by Moss Environmental.

Subscribe to our podcast for your weekly invitation to join the conversation.

His current focus is understanding the causes and impacts of plastics on the environment while collaborating with stakeholders and the community across the country.

Scott also discusses Earthwatch’s new Tiny Forest program, which uses Miyawaki Japanese botany to boost biodiversity through the dense planting of endemic vegetation in urban areas.

Finally, Scott discusses his work with the Australian non-profit environmental organisation, the Total Environment Centre, and its partnerships between universities and local communities.

This episode of Beyond The Green Line was brought to you by Moss Environmental.

Subscribe to our podcast for your weekly invitation to join the conversation.

Previous Episode

How a Biologist Has Been Able To Break The Stereotype In The Environmental Profession

We’ve all heard of the glass ceiling: the idea that there are barriers to women achieving executive and leadership roles in male-dominated industries.
But in addition to that, the sector of environmental science poses greater ratio imbalances than average. So today it’s our pleasure to chat with Kristi McLachlan, Iinfrastructure Director at Hatch Australasia.
Kristi grew up loving biology from a young age, and graduated with a Master's Degrees in Biology. She started her career in research and development, focusing on the use of bacteria to break down soil contaminants.
Kristi then moved in to contaminated land consulting in Australia, where she was promoted to handle operations management, and eventually oversaw various construction projects for over a decade.
Then landing at Sydney Airport (brought there by Chris Evans from John Holland who she would consider a sponsor in the story of her career), Kristi became the only female she knew to hold the title of General Manager on a construction project.
She discovered the importance of the advice she passes to us today: find your people. It will take good friends, mentors, and sponsors to achieve your goals as a female in the environmental space, so don't be afraid to ask someone to mentor or sponsor you.
Kristi then joined Hatch, where she now helps the company maintain its high reputation of forward-thinking and ceiling-breaking.
Throughout her ongoing leadership roles at Hatch, Kristi has studied Neuro Leadership and obtained quality leadership coaching, which she credits for her ever-increasing ability to communicate with her teams. She shares how we can strengthen our science-based thinking by cultivating a curious mind: committing to learn more data before making our conclusions.
Ever-motivated, Kristi practices Jiu Jitsu along with her two children. She reveals that this discipline has taught her when to sit back and observe, as opposed to always being on the attack, and how to learn where the other person is coming from. This too has enhanced her leadership approach over the years.
Combining her training in science-based thinking from her studies at Uni with the delicate balance of non-violence and healthy self-defense in the Jiu Jitsu model, Kristi emphasizes understanding what others around us need and value.
When gender stereotypes pop up at work, she’s committed to pointing out moments that others may not see, but always in a spirit of growing together. Kristi encourages women in male-dominated spaces to remember that many men on their team may be very open to conversations about changing the system together.
Her solution-oriented approach is honest and inspiring.
Even though she has moved away from a career in environmental sciences, sustainability is still very close to Kristi’s heart. This can be seen in her intentional personal life, where she doesn’t own a dryer, keeps supply chain standards when purchasing furniture or clothes, and doesn’t drive whenever there is access to public transportation.
We know you’ll be inspired by Shonelle’s enlightening talk with Kristi McLachlan

Next Episode

Consulting Communities And Engaging With Stakeholders

On today’s episode of Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey chats with Warwick Giblin, a veteran in the environmental management space, and one of her personal mentors.
Warwick has 40 years of senior executive experience in environmental management in both government work (with National Parks and Wildlife Service and Sydney Water) and various corporations (such as Waste Management International and Waste Management NZ Ltd).
He is currently the Managing Director of OzEnvironmental Pty Ltd, which provides high-end technical, legal and strategic advice to farmers, Councils, Traditional Owners, and businesses when development projects come to their town (or farm, as the case may be).
This was a fascinating, insightful, and extremely necessary conversation about helping communities maintain a voice during land development projects.
Many of the impacted areas Warwick supports involve multigenerational farms, tight-knit communities, and various other types of landholders. Becoming aware of a large project in the approvals process in their area can lead to much uncertainty and distress.
Landowners can become aware of pending development plans through a variety of different avenues including, a mailed letter, a social media post, or a knock on the door. Often, Warwick’s clients then experience physical and mental wellness challenges because of resulting worry. They begin to wonder what will happen to their piece of paradise, whether they will receive compensation, and how they will retain a voice in the daunting power dynamic of dealing with developers.
Warwick encourages people in this situation to rally community, build a support network, and utilize professional advice from an environmental practitioner who is familiar with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the assessment and determination process.
Recently, the Sydney Morning Herald published an article explaining how the NSW state government planned to fast-track transmission line projects for renewables in the regions. While rapid decarbonization of our energy system is important, it’s also imperative to examine how these projects’ rapid assessment processes will affect communities with substantial change and disruption.
Many landowners have limited economic capacity compared to developers, and Warwick’s presence helps farmers and communities in this situation retain influence throughout the development process.
Shonelle and Warwick share stories about their mutual desire to see communication between developers and affected communities be more balanced. Too often, meetings seem to involve developers telling communities how the process will go, and Warwick believes a change in this dynamic will only happen when developers are truly convinced that it’s in their best interests to take the voices of the community into account, even in the early planning stages.
Warwick also relays much wisdom and experience around creating openness and transparency, even in tense conversations with developers, and ensuring real accountability during the land development process.
Podcast — Sydney Environment Institute
Renewables & rural Australia - The Australia Institute