AUTHOR=Liu Jianli , Hu Zhubing , Du Fangfang , Tang Wei , Zheng Siting , Lu Shanzhou , An Lihui , Ding Jiannan TITLE=Environment education: A first step in solving plastic pollution JOURNAL=Frontiers in Environmental Science VOLUME=11 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1130463 DOI=10.3389/fenvs.2023.1130463 ISSN=2296-665X ABSTRACT=

Plastic pollution has been today’s most highly visible environmental problem in the world. How to responsibly manage plastic waste to control and eliminate plastic pollution has been a global challenge. We have begun to address these issues and developed some science-based solutions and emerging technologies. However, tackling such an intractable challenge requires systematic solutions except for science-based and technology-based ones. Environmental education, fostering plastic pollution prevention within society’s educational system, will provide a powerful and feasible pathway at a low cost. Within this perspective, the value and the way forward of education in solving plastic pollution are primarily discussed. Environmental education, including school-level education for students, sustainable consumption behavior guidance, and pollution prevention education for the public, is the feasible, effective, and permanent resolution of plastic pollution in the future.