Lisa Erdle, PhD

Director of Science and Innovation @5gyres | PhD research on microfibers and wildlife | Canada and USA | Loves boats and bikes!

[GENeva Environment Network @GENetwork]

#Live now!

Ahead of #OEWG3 #SPPCWP in #GENeva, join the discussion on the need to safeguard the integrity of the science-policy panel on #chemicals, #waste & #pollution prevention, against risks of #ConflictsOfInterest.

➡️ https://t.co/DbKOffYQW1
📺 https://t.co/sUgpnY7n9u

[5 Gyres @5gyres]

“Production really is pollution,” says one of the study’s authors, Lisa Erdle, Director of Science at the non-profit The 5 Gyres Institute.

https://t.co/9zgU9qf3KR

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

Plastic type matters! Risk can increase based on macroplastic type. Balloons pose greater risk to seabirds. For marine mammals, bags cause greater harm. Hard plastics are of concern to turtles. 🐢

We can set science based thresholds for various taxa.

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

Next up, Erin Murphy sharing monitoring and management for macroplastics. Developing protocols for monitoring, including ingestion by wildlife.

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

Risk varies by taxa and plastic type. Lots of variability in necropsy data, so recommendations presented for seabirds, marine mammals, and turtles. We need more info on the animal, plastic type, chemicals, and cause of mortality.

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

@IJCsharedwaters @EdenHataley Microplastics management reliant on sound data that is reported and peer reviewed. With enough data, can inform risk.

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

Quantitative risk assessment and research from SCCWRP highlighted by @EdenHataley — helps us identify sources, track exposure, and changes over time (including effectiveness of mitigation!)

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

Transboundary coordination for monitoring in the Great Lakes via the @IJCsharedwaters. Tools like robust field methods are important for sound environmental monitoring. Methods be made publicly available via SCCWRP and IJC before the end of 2025 @EdenHataley

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

@IJCsharedwaters @EdenHataley Species sensitivity distributions and tools that can be adopted to local standards. @EdenHataley sharing the need for relevant local guidelines. Structures can be built according to local and regional governance.

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

@AliceXiaZhu Some possible actions to reduce emissions could include reducing emissions from artificial turf, and paint.

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

Evidence-based tools: monitoring and risk assessment frameworks needed to inform a global plastics treaty for plastic in the environment, both micro- and macroplastics.

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

With emission inventories we can set targets and inform action. What would a 40% emissions reduction look like for a city, like theCity of Toronto? Would mean going from nearly 4,000 tonnes to 2,200 tonnes. @AliceXiaZhu

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

New research highlighted by @AliceXiaZhu - important emission inventories NOW form the baseline for monitoring.

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

Local government are our laboratories to pilot new things and get things done! YES!

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

Full room sharing lessons tackling plastic pollution - local, state, and federal perspectives informing global action at INC-4. Sub-national actors have a role to play in a global plastics treaty. Great panel led by @OurOcean and @nature_org.

[Assemblymember Tina McKinnor @AsmTinaMcKinnor]

Microplastics beware: scientists are in the Capitol today to support my #ab1628. If I were a betting woman, I’d put my money on science & this important bill which will help protect our water & food systems. #caleg

[5 Gyres @5gyres]

"Addressing microplastics in California requires a multifaceted approach, but this bill serves as a critical step toward reducing a known source of microplastic pollution."

Today, @lisaerdle testified in front of the Senate EQ Committee in support of @AsmTinaMcKinnor's #AB1628.

[Lisa Erdle, PhD @lisaerdle]

Thrilled to testify on behalf of this bill today, and make sure that decisions are based on sound science! Science to solutions in action. @5gyres

[Assemblymember Tina McKinnor @AsmTinaMcKinnor]

A big win for the environment today w/ the Senate Enviro. Quality Committee’s approval of my #ab1628 which will require microfiber filters on all new washing machines. Grateful for the scientists & enviro orgs that have championed this issue to keep us safe from micro plastics.

[Anna Sanchez Vidal @aneguet77]

📢New Publication! "The dark side of artificial greening: Plastic turfs as widespread pollutants of aquatic environments"🌿

We have found that artificial turf fibers account for up to 15% of the meso- and macroplastics in rivers and sea surface waters!
https://t.co/16ops5h9Hh