Data & Analytics play a vital role in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) specifically emphasizes the need to enhance the availability of high-quality, timely, and reliable data. Accurate data and insightful analytics are essential for assessing progress, identifying gaps, making informed decisions, and creating effective policies related to each of the SDGs. For instance, they can help enhance education systems (SDG 4), optimize health services (SDG 3), reduce poverty (SDG 1), and mitigate climate change impacts (SDG 13). Moreover, advances in data collection methods, including mobile technology and remote sensing, can provide valuable insights for achieving sustainability. Therefore, robust data and analytics are integral to monitoring and accomplishing the SDGs.
Microplastic pollution has sparked interest from researchers, public, industries, and regulators owing to reports of extensive presence of microplastics in the environment, household dust, drinking water, and food, which indicates chronic exposure to organisms within ecosystems and in human living spaces. Although exposure to microplastics is evident, negative effects from microplastics appear to be minimal in most studies on biota, and no risk assessments have been completed for microplastics on human health.
