Research Log #8 - Solutionary Project 2022

Date: March 19, 2023

Name: Koelenamati (Koe) Kapua
Essential Question: How is waste pollution being addressed on Oahu and what more can be done?

Three Points to Prove:

#1: Waste pollution creates negative consequences/what are these consequences?
#2: Waste pollution affects every part of life/who or what is being affected by waste pollution?
#3: Waste pollution isn’t talked about enough in society/how can it be addressed more?

Point that this Source Proves: #3: Waste pollution isn’t talked about enough in society/how can it be
addressed more?

Excerpts (These should provide insight into the Point to Prove)

According to Nyquist, “8 million tons of plastic waste enters the world’s oceans every year.”

Stated within the article, “We have a limited understanding of the health impacts of plastics in waterways,
and of the eco-toxicology of macro- micro- and nano-plastics. There is a lack of standardized sampling,
testing, measuring, and analytical methodologies.” (Nyquist).

Written by Nyquist, “We know that five Asian countries account for about half the plastics that make it into
the oceans. Eighty percent of this comes from the land, and 10 river systems (eight in Asia, two in Africa)
transport over 90 percent to oceans.”

Analysis (How does this source support the Point to Prove?):

With 8 million tons of plastic debris entering the world's oceans annually, plastics have climbed on
the environmental agenda during the past five years. We don't understand or know a lot about waste
pollution as a society. For example, our knowledge of the health effects of plastics in streams and the
ecotoxicology of macro, micro, and nano plastics is poor. Standardized procedures for sampling, testing,
measuring, and analysis are lacking. To effectively estimate the risks and evaluate and comprehend how
plastics interact with other environmental pressures, exposure modeling and verified risk assessments must
be developed.
International wide practices must be developed if we are to promote both human and marine health.
Without this, we are unable to properly understand how plastics affect every aspect of the environment,
including ecosystems in freshwater systems and below the ocean's surface. Alternatives to garbage,
particularly plastic waste, also have a bad reputation. This is crucial if we wish to supplement or replace
plastics with alternatives that are better for the economy, society, and environment and do not add to the
growing problem of global waste and climate change.
Most of the plastic that enters the waters comes from five Asian nations. Eighty percent of this comes
from the land, and ten river systems (two in Africa and eight in Asia) move more than ninety percent of it to
the sea. The location with the most risk is where we should put our efforts to implement and enhance the
regulatory systems and waste infrastructure if we want to turn the corner. The most cost-effective option, at
least in the short term, may be to manage plastics in a controlled landfill in locations or nations without
recycling infrastructure or technology.
Work Cited (correct MLA format):
Nyquist, Scott. “What to Do about Plastics: An Interview with Rachel Meidl.” Www.mckinsey.com, 19 June
2019, www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/sustainability-blog/what-to-do-
about-plastics-an-interview-with-rachel-meidl.

This is a reputable and reliable article because it was written by Scott Nyquist, Director Emeritus at
McKinsey. Scott led McKinsey's Oil & Gas Practice in North America and Europe, and coled the Global
Energy and Materials sector and the Sustainability Practice.