Plastic Podcast | Pollution, Policy, and People

🎧 New from Pine Forest Media: Oceanography

From the creators of The Plastic Podcast, Oceanography is a new weekly series exploring the science, policy, and people working to protect our oceans. Hosted by science communicator Clark Marchese, the podcast blends rigorous journalism with storytelling to uncover what’s happening beneath the surface—and why it matters.

Each episode features global experts, including marine biologists, oceanographers, Indigenous leaders, and climate advocates. Topics include how whales communicate underwater, the magic of bioluminescent sharks, deep-sea ecosystems, and new fishing gear designed to protect endangered species.
You’ll also hear from leaders at UNESCO and the Marine Protected Area Collaborative Network as they share how international treaties and local action are shaping the future of marine conservation.

🎧 Listen to the trailer now and follow the show for new episodes starting July 29.
🌊 Subscribe to Oceanography on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream.
🌐 More at pineforestpods.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does a global plastics treaty get negotiated? Researcher Tara Olsen joins host Clark Marchese to explain the process, actors, and competing interests behind the United Nations effort to regulate plastic pollution. Using the road to the Busan negotiations as context, they discuss international environmental law, national sovereignty, industry and civil-society influence, and the difference between signing and ratifying a treaty. This evergreen UN plastic treaty guide focuses on how global environmental agreements are built and what determines whether they can deliver meaningful accountability.

Episode Guests: Tara Olsen
Connect with Tara Olsen here.

More on the Scientist’s Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty
Follow the treaty negotiations with CIEL
Follow the treaty negotiations with IISD

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast
Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.
Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia
Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese
Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.
Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anti-plastic norms spread when health enters the story. Global health policy researcher Leah Shipton explains how local plastic bag bans developed into an international movement, with examples from early policy adopters including Bangladesh and Kenya. She and host Clark Marchese discuss norm entrepreneurs, industry opposition, media attention, policy learning, and the power of framing plastic pollution as a health issue. The episode traces the path from grassroots anti-plastic movements to global plastics governance and the negotiations for a United Nations treaty.

Episode Guest: Leah Shipton
Find more information about Leah Shipton here.
Find a link to Leah Shipton’s article here.
Find more of Leah Shipton’s research on Google Scholar
Follow Leah Shipton on X

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast
Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.
Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia
Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese
Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.
Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer Alley links plastic production to public health. Dr. Kimberly Terrell and Gianna St. Julien of the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic explain research on toxic air pollution, cancer risk, and racial disparities along Louisiana’s petrochemical corridor. Host Clark Marchese examines environmental racism, the burden of proof placed on fenceline communities, and the grassroots groups seeking stronger protection and accountability. This case study connects petrochemical pollution, plastic production, public health, and environmental policy while showing how community-centered science can support advocacy.

Episode Guests: Dr. Kimberly Terrell and Gianna St. Julien

More on the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic

Find the Toxic Air Pollution Report here
Find the Racial Demographic Report here
More on the Louisiana Bucket Brigade
More on Rise St. James
More on Concerned Citizens of St. John

Pine Forest Media Something in the Water episode on plastic here
More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast
Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.
Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia
Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese
Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.
Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ocean garbage patches are also living habitats. Marine ecologist Dr. Mark Gibbons introduces neuston, the diverse organisms that live on or just below the ocean surface, from bluebottles and sea snails to fish eggs and larvae. He joins Plastic Podcast to explain research in the South Indian Ocean subtropical gyre, where floating life and plastic debris can occupy the same waters. The episode examines what scientists know, and still do not know, about neuston and plastic, with important implications for ocean cleanup proposals and marine conservation.

Episode Guests: Dr. Mark Gibbons
Find more information about Dr. Gibbons here.
Find a link to Dr. Gibbon’s article here.
Find more of Dr. Gibbon’s research on Google Scholar

Find images of all the cool neuston we talked about today here.
More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.
Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia
Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese
Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.
Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.