Abstract
In recent decades, the proliferation of single-use plastic products has significantly contributed to a surge in plastic pollution on a global scale. Researchers have extensively investigated the impacts of plastic pollution across various regions, yet a comprehensive holistic and location-based understanding of these impacts in the West African context is lacking. This study addresses this gap through a systemic assessment of the impacts of plastic pollution, in West Africa, particularly Ghana. Employing a qualitative System Dynamics causal modelling approach, this study establishes linkages between pollution effects at the macro level, constructing a hierarchical outline of both high and low level impacts. The significance of this research lies in the application of pertinent Systems Thinking techniques to comprehend the broader impacts of plastic pollution. The outcomes of this study will inform the development of effective policies aimed at preventing or mitigating plastic pollution in Ghana, and potentially the wider West African context.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e17 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Cambridge Prisms: Plastics |
| Volume | 2 |
| Early online date | 30 May 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 30 May 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.Data Access Statement
The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article itself.Keywords
- environmental management
- plastics debris
- systems thinking
- plastics
- pollution