Increased toxicity from plastic pollution in a warmer climate is highly likely to be affecting whole ecosystems, with potentially disproportionate impacts on apex predators such as orcas.
This is according to a new Frontiers in Science lead article in which researchers Prof Frank Kelly, Dr Stephanie Wright, Dr Julia Fussell, and Prof Guy Woodward call for urgent coordinated global action to mitigate plastic pollution and prevent further ecological damage. Recommended measures include eliminating single-use plastics, limiting virgin plastic production, and establishing global standards for safe, reusable, and recyclable plastics.
Join the authors at our Frontiers in Science Deep Dive webinar on 28 January 2026, 16:00–17:30 CET, as they explore future research, innovation, and policy actions—including material and waste management, evidence-based governance, and public engagement—to advance global frameworks such as the UN plastics treaty.
Plastic pollution under the influence of climate change | 28 January 2026 | Register
Frontiers in Science Deep Dive sessions bring researchers, policy experts, and innovators together from around the world to discuss a specific area of transformational science published in Frontiers' flagship, multidisciplinary journal, Frontiers in Science, and explore next steps for the field.