From Oceans to Orbits: How Lessons from Plastic Pollution Can Save Space

As plastic pollution continues to be one of the most visible and pressing environmental crises on Earth, a parallel challenge is quietly escalating above us—the accumulation of space debris. In their recent study, Napper et al. (2024) highlight the alarming similarities between the marine plastic crisis and the growing threat of orbital debris, urging immediate international action. The authors go further by proposing the establishment of a dedicated United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to protect Earth’s orbital environment.