To fight the compounding negative impacts of climate change and plastic pollution on marine environments, AIMS scientists have teamed up with India’s National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR).
Through the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), they are sharing knowledge to create an action plan to improve coastal community resilience to the impacts of climate change and marine litter in the oceans around Australia, India and across the wider Indo-Pacific region.
Worldwide, coastal habitats such as sandy beaches, coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves are at risk from the impacts of climate change as well as high levels of marine litter from rivers, fishing, shipping and waste disposal.
While climate change remains the greatest threat to coastal and marine environments, increased litter, particularly plastic pollution, is further degrading the quality and health of these areas and the life they support.
The combined impacts of climate change and plastic pollution are greater than the sum and threaten the sustenance and livelihoods of local communities.
Significant knowledge gaps about the impact of plastic pollution and climate change, such as mass coral bleaching, need to be addressed.
Through the IPOI Marine and Coastal Resilience Hub, AIMS and NCCR scientists are evaluating, quantifying and mapping the impacts of climate change and plastic pollution on marine and coastal environments in Australia and India, with the potential to expand to other nations in the region.
The collaboration will produce foundational knowledge to inform regional policies and strategic recommendations to address threats to our ocean environments.
IPOI Hub is an AIMS initiative, in partnership with NCCR, funded by the Australian Government.
