Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PlasticPiratesEU (UPSCALING THE PLASTIC PIRATES CITIZEN SCIENCE INITIATIVE)
Période du rapport: 2022-06-01 au 2023-11-30
While there is already a fair understanding of the origins of plastic litter in a few selected European regions and river systems, research data across Europe so far is largely fragmentary, if existent at all. By applying the citizen science approach to investigate the importance of rivers as pathways to ocean pollution, the ongoing Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! citizen science initiative enables researchers to identify sources of and mitigation measures for plastic pollution.
PlasticPiratesEU focusses on upscaling the successful citizen science initiative “Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!” (www.plastic-pirates.eu) to interested EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. In doing so, the project aims to raise awareness among citizens and, in particular, young citizens, in larger parts of Europe on the impact and benefits that research and innovation can have on their daily lives. It also aims to increase the capacity to collect, organise and verify data on plastic waste pollution stemming from and in European rivers, coastlines and seas. Another objective is to test, replicate and refine best practice models for linking excellent science and citizen engagement.