INSPIRE Solutions at the Portuguese ‎‎Science ‎Summit Ocean and Health (3-5/7/2024)

The INSPIRE team from CIIMAR participated in Ciênca 2024 (Portugal) during a dedicated session on July 4, sharing insights on plastic pollution and its impact on Ocean and health.

The Portuguese Science Summit (Ciência) is an initiative promoted by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), in collaboration with Ciência Viva and, this year, with the University of Porto, at the Alfândega Congress Centre (Porto, Portugal)

The motto of Ciência 2024 was “+Science for One Health and Global Well-being”, bringing together researchers, guests and the public for three days (3-5 July) filled with thematic sessions and moments of dialogue, knowledge and conviviality.

The team from CIIMAR organized, in collaboration with the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP) and Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), the session “Ocean and Health: Impacts of microplastics on ecosystems and human health”, exploring the current knowledge of marine litter and microplastic pollution and its impact within the framework of the One Health framework.

Built on insights and experience of the European projects INSPIRE and MAELSTROM, the session focused on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, and addressing the sources, impacts, and solutions for microplastics pollution.

The session was introduced and moderated by Professor Isabel Sousa-Pinto (CIIMAR), with the intervention of Luis R. Vieira (CIIMAR), Joana Correia Prata (CESPU/ICBAS), Filipa Bessa (Centre for Functional Ecology – Science for People & the Planet) and Patrícia Carvalho (Portuguese Pact for Plastics – Smart Waste Portugal). The initiative also had the participation of the EB Infanta D. Mafalda School (Plastic Pirates). A Q&A session with the audience, moderated by Luis R. Vieira, fostered interaction and promoted multidisciplinary knowledge sharing and creating a platform for insightful dialogue and collaboration.

By addressing the impacts and sources of microplastics, and presenting strategic societal and technological solutions, this session drove engagement and positive action while aligning with national and international goals for pollution reduction and improved health and well-being.

The Portuguese Science Summit is the largest event dedicated to Science in Portugal, this year co-organized with the University of Porto, with more than 3000 participants!