Educating for environmental transition: the summer school on microplastics

Article Article scientifique Article Educating for environmental transition: the summer school on microplastics eng 2025-12-04 author Slaveykova Vera 0000-0002-8361-2509 Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 66, Bvd. Carl-Vogt, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland. vera.slaveykova@unige.ch. 510054 Forel Communs (FOREL) author Andersen Thorbjørn J 0000-0001-5032-9945 Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, IGN, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark. author Blasiak Tomasz Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 66, Bvd Carl-Vogt, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland. 692145 author Cararo Andrea United Nations Environment Programme, 8-14, Avenue de La Paix, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland. author Marelja Matea 0009-0004-9623-553X Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 66, Bvd. Carl-Vogt, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland. 413901 Services communs de l'Institut des sciences de l'environnement (ISECO) author Parolini Marco 0000-0003-0226-1709 University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy. author Posth Nicole R 0000-0002-6695-6115 Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, IGN, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark. author Siaussat David 0000-0002-6548-0370 Institut d'Ecologie et Des Sciences de L'Environnement de Paris (iEES-Paris), Sorbonne Université, 75005, Paris, France. author Sorrentino Lynn 0000-0001-5416-6805 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 28 Rue Mauverney, 1196, Gland, Switzerland. 10.1007/s11356-025-37253-y 41343035 0944-1344 https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11356-025-37253-y Plastics are deeply embedded in modern life, but their degradation releases micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) into ecosystems. These persistent particles are found everywhere, from oceans to the human body, and raise growing concerns about environmental and human health, biodiversity, and sustainability implications. Despite increasing awareness, effective responses to MNP pollution remain limited by unresolved challenges in scientific monitoring, policymaking, and public engagement. Addressing these challenges, the summer school on "Microplastics: From Environmental Impact to Policy, Innovation, and Public Awareness" held in June 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, exemplifies an innovative educational model. The program was multi- and interdisciplinary, action-oriented, internationally collaborative, and rooted in local contexts. Focusing on microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, it brought together participants from 15 countries to explore the nexus of science, policy, governance, innovation, and public engagement. This contribution reflects the summer school's design and outcomes, highlighting its promise as a model for advancing next-generation environmental education as well as discussing some of the key challenges. Education Environmental pollution Human health Plastics Science-policy interface World Café Dewey 550 Dewey 333.7-333.9 18 Institut des sciences de l'environnement 0DB 41 Département F.-A. Forel des sciences de l'environnement et de l'eau 153 false 752 Environmental Biogeochemistry and Ecotoxicology 938 ISE Pôle Sciences 944 ISE Eau Environmental science and pollution research international 1febf124-71e1-4727-9507-7382f9014d71 Article (Published version) Public s11356-025-37253-y.pdf 892907 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 2e9c7074b9be52931366e9c364f51c2d8b2cd686d03e2467a55f9f714e8f380a openAccess Centres et instituts / Institut des sciences de l'environnement Faculté des sciences / Section des sciences de la Terre et de l'Environnement / Département F.-A. Forel des sciences de l'environnement et de l'eau

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Educating for environmental transition: the summer school on microplastics	Environmental science and pollution research international			2025	21	178

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Blasiak, Tomasz