EU Science vs Plastic Pollution

Happy Earth Day!?

In 2024, the focus is on "Planet vs Plastic", reminding us of the urgent need to protect our environment and build a plastic-free planet. The European Union is at the forefront of? efforts to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution, investing in research, science and innovation that aim to safeguard our Earth for future generations.?

One such initiative is the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters", with a bold target to protect and restore the health of our oceans and waters by 2030. Through 12 EU-funded research projects, researchers are actively working towards a cleaner and healthier marine ecosystem, via biodegradable plastics innovation, AI ocean-cleaning robots, and microbes that digest plastic among others.??

Under this initiative, a citizen science project is making an impact in the fight against plastic pollution - PlasticPiratesEU!? This project empowers young people across Europe to actively investigate plastic pollution in our waterways. By collecting and uploading data on waste, participants are not only raising awareness but also directly contributing to important scientific studies on pollution.??

Plus, check out our interview with the CLAIM project. This EU-funded project is working to prevent plastics from entering the sea as well as removing micro and macro plastics from waterways, turning this form of pollution into energy in the process.?

Additionally, the EU Mission "A Soil Deal for Europe" is paving the way towards establishing 100 living labs (places to experiment on the ground) and lighthouses (single?sites, like a farm or a park, to showcase good?practices) dedicated to leading the transition towards healthy soils by 2030.??

All these initiatives are paving the way in building a sustainable future where our planet thrives. Researchers are helping us keep our Earth clean and liveable, today, tomorrow, and future generations. ???

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N.B. Further reading on #EUfunded projects: protecting our coastal regions, setting up and implementing lighthouses in major European sea and river basins?

European Research Council (ERC) SEALIVE Project SeaClear 1.0 & 2.0 Projects B4Plastics MONPLAS Glaukos project CELLUGY? In-No-Plastic

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