Speaker Spotlight #4
by Jillian Browning • May 6, 2016 • Announcements, Events, Research • 0 Comments
In the lead up to our Annual Marine Science Forum on the 28th and 29th of May, we will feature a post about each of the scientists presenting this year.
This week we would like to introduce you to:
Karen Raubenheimer
PhD Candidate, ANCORS, University of Wollongong
Forum presentation: How can the world control marine plastic debris?
Pollution of the marine environment has been globally regulated for decades, yet the volumes of plastic waste entering the oceans has increased. Why has the international policy framework failed and can policy bring us closer to a circular economy for plastics?
Bio
Karen has conducted numerous underwater cleanups, leading her to enrol in a Masters of Environmental Management and moving on to complete a PhD thesis titled “Towards an Improved Framework to Prevent Marine Plastic Debris.” This research investigated the shortcomings of the international and regional policy framework in protecting the marine environment from plastic pollution. Areas for improvement were identified and a new global policy response outlined to begin shifting the burden of environmental harm onto the plastics supply chain.