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In today’s episode we talk with Susanne Brander, an Ecotoxicologist who is 1 of 12 core steering committee members overseeing 300 international scientific experts within the International Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty who are assisting with Navigating the Complexities of Plastics.

An Ecotoxicologist as Susanne mentions is a toxicologist who focuses on fish and wildlife and makes links between what's happening in the environment with what might affect human health.

Brander is also an Associate Professor at OSU (Oregon State University) in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, and part of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station and is based at the The Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport Oregon.

The Scientists Coalition delivers science based information to the delegates within the United Nations who aren't scientists, but need to understand the science. These scientists distill what is in numerous peer reviewed papers some of which might need investigation for accuracy.

The coalition is comprised of ecotoxicologists like Brander, along with Chemists, social scientists, experts in environmental law among other scientific backgrounds who working together to give their an informed opinion on what the best outcome for the treaty would be, and what science data should inform those decisions made during negotiating meetings.

175 nations are currently represented in this Global Treaty on Plastics, but they won't all necessarily be part of the the treaty, as they won't all sign (for example, she says, "the US is notorious for participating but not actually signing anything."

Brander said that it's the people on the policy and environmental law side of things who feel that a minimum of 50 countries signing could hopefully move it forward to the next stages, to implementation.

When she talks about HIGHER AMBITION COUNTRIES - she is talking about those countries interested in things like chemical regulation, regulation of microplastics shedding from products, and safer and sustainable products.

Those that aren't among the Higher Ambition Countries are those countries (mostly petroleum-producing countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and the US) which are more focused on waste management and recycling. But after decades of seeing this not work, there has to be a better way.

Transparency is key: what chemicals are used.

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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