This Special Issue, bringing together articles from Science of the Total Environment; Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews; Ecological Modelling, and Resources; Conservation and Recycling, highlights the increasing understanding that major systems servicing human well-being, food, energy and water (FEW) systems are inextricably connected, and any attempt to address one dimension in isolation of the others will lead to unexpected, undesired, and far from optimal consequences. Considering these three systems holistically as the Food-Energy-Water Nexus directly considers Sustainable Development Goals 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), and 12 (responsible consumption and production).
This paper critically reviews current scientific knowledge surrounding microplastics in the environment, supporting SDGs 9.5 (enhanced scientific research), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 14 (life below water) and 15 (life on land).
Directly contributing to SDGs 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 15 (life on land), this research identifies microplastic's multiple negative impacts on terrestrial ecosystem services.
This study compares different microplastic sampling methods for water, sediment and biota. This supports SDGs 9.5 (enhanced scientific research) 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 14 (life below water).
This article explores a previously overlooked form of microplastic pollution. Directly relevant to SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 15 (life on land) and SDG 14 (life below water), this research investigates the interactions between tire derived microplastics and organic matter within the environment.
This review discusses the need for standardized research methodologies within freshwater microplastic research. Standardized techniques will improve the accuracy of microplastic abundance records within freshwater environments, supporting progress towards SDG 14 (life below water) and 12 (responsible consumption and production).
Supporting progress towards SDG's 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 14 (life below water), this review discusses microplastic and nanoplastic occurrence in freshwater ecosystems and explores current analytical methods used to characterise them.
This research tracks the life cycle of plastics within Lake Geneva, linking plastic pollution observations to their original sources. This research supports SDGs 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 14 (life below water).
This research examines the effects of microplastic pollution on aquatic ecosystems from an ecology perspective, supporting SDGs 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 14 (life below water).
This study supports SDG 3 (good health and well-being) as well as SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). This paper maps out the exposure pathways of microplastics to humans and explores approaches to decrease its negative impact on humans.
