Micro-plastics (MP) pollution in our oceans has become one of the most serious global environmental issues, and the topic has been discussed at the G7 Environmental Ministerial Meetings. JAMSTEC and the partners propose a brand new International Environmental Education Program of MP investigation for the elementary and middle schools students to enhance their interest in and literacy about the current state of oceans, as shown in the following items. The program provides not only a package of scientific fieldwork procedures on the beach, but also global MP data sharing and visualization system on the website.
1. The results of MP fieldworks by the students worldwide will illuminate the global environmental problem for all mankind on our planet.
2. Scientifically simple fieldwork procedures for MP extraction and picture analysis tools (i.e. Smartphone app.) will be provided as one package with free and multi-lingual version.
3. Each result will be collected in our website and visualized as a global MP distribution map. Those MP surveys and their results will expand spatiotemporally, and become a powerful tool for students to understand global environmental problems. The MP survey results will also be utilized as a fundamental dataset for the scientists to investigate the origin of plastic debris and its transportation.
4. Domestic and international students, meeting on the MP investigations will be organized. This will contribute to fostering capable future scientists and to the improvement of ocean literacy.
5. The planning and implementation of this program will be conducted mainly by the Hachinohe Institute of Technology (and the City of Hachinohe), the School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University (and the City of Shizuoka) and JAMSTEC, as the core organizations. This program could be expanded internationally, in particular in Asia region (Taiwan, Province of China, and South Korea, etc.) and in European countries, as well as among the private sector groups and NGOs, which are interested in the environmental protection.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
Financing (in USD)
50,000 USD
Staff / Technical expertise
Any voluntary contribution from the experts who are dealing with the issues related to marine litter, plastics, pollution, and ocean observation, among others, are very welcome
In-kind contribution
Scientific facilities of each organization concerned
December 2018
