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fromhumanactivities.Therealeconomyisatrisktoo.An
EconomistImpactcasestudyonthecostsofhypoxic“dead
zones”intheGulfofMexico,whicharecausedbyexcessive
nutrientpollution,foundthatshouldtheissueworsenand
contributetoa greatlyreducedfishcatch,Americastandstolose
nearly$838minannualfisheriesrevenues.
Failingtoactnowputsmoreatriskthancanbequantified.Astudyin 2022 concludedthattheworldhasalreadycrossedthe
pointwherechemicalsthreatentheveryecosystems—including
the marineenvironment—uponwhichhumansandotherspecies
depend.Tacklingchemicalpollutionintheoceanrequires
immediate,co-ordinatedaction—fromthechemicalsindustry
itselftogovernments,regulators,investorsandfinanciers,as
well ascivilsocietyandconsumers.
Thus, among the report’s other fi ndings and recommendations are:
Regulators need to enact and enforce stricter rules on
pollution, adopting a more precautionary approach to
chemicals, particularly in Asia, the Middle East and Africa
where much of the growth in chemicals production will
come, and where oversight is limited. The chemicals industry
for decades has been able to externalise its costs—passing
these on to society, often to the poorest and most vulnerable.
Actions by the chemicals sector present the most
compelling opportunity to address marine chemical
pollution. Yet for an industry that is sprawling, capital-
intensive and low-margin, change will be a complex,
expensive and fraught process, and will coincide with the
need to invest in rapid decarbonisation.
Momentum is growing for a circular economy and “green”
chemistry. They provide an opportunity to design high-
performance products that are less toxic and less polluting.
The fi nance and investment communities remain largely
unaware of marine chemical pollution and its risks.
This is a barrier to change, but also an opportunity. Better
information about the risks the chemicals sector faces from
a transition to a zero-pollution ocean will be critical for any
responses by the fi nance sector, with an appreciation of the
early rewards for fi rst movers.
Popular awareness of the danger of marine chemical
pollution is low compared to plastic pollution or climate
change. Building greater awareness is essential. Consumers,
notably, could infl uence progress on marine chemical
pollution through purchasing decisions.A WAKE UP CALL
Chemicals are essential to everyday life; virtually every process,
product and service of modern life is dependent on them. Yet
chemicals are also poisoning the land, the ocean and human
health. The challenge posed by chemical pollution is global in
scale, and profound. A key goal of The Invisible Wave is to focus
minds on solutions that prevent, reduce and minimise chemical
pollution in the ocean. An aspiration towards zero pollution is
gaining currency. The hope is that more will be achieved if the
goal is seen to be ambitious. The ocean is fundamental to life
on Earth. It is more than possible to prevent chemical pollution
from infl icting irreparable harm on the ecosystem. But failing to
act now has devastating consequences.For more information, visit
backtoblueinitiative.comEASTWARDSHIFT
ESTIMATED CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS EMITTED BY HUMAN ACTIVITIES
Millions of tonnes released per year, estimatedChemicalsindustryshiftstoAsiaCHINA JAPAN€3.7trn €6.2trn
RESTOFASIA REST OF THE WORLDSource:GrowthandCompetitiveness, CEFIC (2020)*Miningwastesinclude overburden and tailings
†Carbon(allsources), eg, chlorofl uorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride
Sources:PureEarth and Green Cross Switzerland, 20162019 2030120,000-220,00015,000-120,00036,000-75,00037,00017,00010,000-11,0005,8005,0002,500Total human
chemical emissions
Mining wastes*
Soil, eroded by farming and land
development
Carbon (all sources)†Total disposed wasteTotal mining outputForest outputFood output
Manufactured/
synthetic chemicalsGlobal chemical sales, projected