AECO participated in a workshop the fall of 2019 entitled ‘Policy and Action on Plastics in the Arctic Ocean’, co-hosted by the Icelandic Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.
Based on the discussions at this workshop, a report by the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center was released with recommendations for researchers and policymakers.
We are proud that AECO’s efforts with Clean Seas — which focus on cleaning Arctic beaches and dramatically reducing single-use plastics onboard expedition cruise vessels — is featured prominently in the report as an example of how trips to the Arctic could be systematically leveraged to assist in debris recovery and removal, while addressing a potential source for marine pollution through education and intentional reduction of single-use plastics consumption.
The recommendations in the report highlight the importance of subregional and local efforts and communications campaigns tailored to specific needs and capabilities.
Read the recommendations and full report by the Harvard Kennedy School (Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs) and Wilson Center’s Polar Institute.
