Let's build on the plastics revolution - and save our marine habitats | Fiona Gell

If people knew the wonder of the UK's marine habitats they would want to protect them - TV shows like Blue Planet can helpThe life of a conservationist often feels like one long struggle, taking little-known challenges and trying to make them mainstream. How do environmental issues move from niche interests to global concerns? The explosion of action on marine plastics has been a success story on an unprecedented scale. Film producer Jo Ruxton spent years raising funds and doing research for her film A Plastic Ocean, described by David Attenborough as "one of the most important films of all time". But it was not until last year's Blue Planet II series, and the plastics campaign by this and other newspapers, that concerns around marine litter began to be more widely shared.Having worked in conservation for more than 20 years, I was delighted by the sea-change in attitudes. But, like other environmentalists, I am concerned that other challenges are not getting the attention or resources they need. This isn't about downplaying the threat of marine plastics, but about how we can learn from the plastics story and apply these lessons elsewhere. Continue reading...