Clemens W. Gattringer,
A revisited conceptualization of plastic pollution accumulation in marine environments: Insights from a social ecological economics
perspective,
Marine Policy, 2017, ISSN 0308-597X,

Abstract:

The proliferation of synthetic polymer fragments in marine
ecosystems has become a prominent issue within recent years, and its
disastrous implications on marine species as well as associated social
and economic costs have been extensively documented. A narrow
perspective of analysis has characterized current conceptualizations of
the phenomenon, which is further resembled in the proposed approaches to
tackle the problem. Based on a critical realist philosophy of science,
this article aims to investigate the fundamental and interdisciplinary
dynamics underpinning the current production, consumption and
post-consumption lifecycle of plastics, by abstracting transfactual
relationships. These then provide the basis to develop a conceptual
model for understanding the phenomenon in a more comprehensive manner,
and form a framework to assess proposed policy responses for addressing
the issue. Thereby the conceptual model draws upon four fields of
knowledge: (i) thermodynamic laws and its relevance for economics, (ii)
behavioral psychology and resulting limitations of individuals’
decision-making under conscious consumer theory, (iii) power theories of
political science, and (iv) ethical considerations. The article suggests
that ontological and epistemological discrepancies across disciplines,
as well as the consequential neglect of several mechanisms have so far
limited scientific progress to guide meaningful political action.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YU0uqlldQ_Ur1wlNOps_B9el7TzGMEVl

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2017.11.036.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X1730516X)