A Sea of Plastic: Protecting the Mediterranean Marine Ecosystem
Learn about the sources of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, its impact on marine habitats and wildlife, and the actions needed to protect one of the world's richest marine ecosystems.
Course Description
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, yet it faces increasing pressure from plastic pollution, tourism, fishing activities, urban waste, and poor waste management. This lesson examines how plastic enters the Mediterranean, how it spreads through marine ecosystems, and the long-term consequences for wildlife, coastal habitats, and local economies.
Learners will explore vulnerable habitats such as Posidonia seagrass meadows, discover how plastic affects endangered species including sea turtles, dolphins, seabirds, sharks, and mollusks, and understand why protecting the Mediterranean requires sustainable environmental management, responsible consumption, and collective action.
What you will learn
- Understand the main sources of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Explain how plastic affects marine habitats and biodiversity.
- Identify the impacts of tourism, fishing, and urban waste on coastal ecosystems.
- Explore the effects of microplastics on marine food chains.
- Recognize endangered Mediterranean species affected by plastic pollution.
- Discover practical conservation strategies for protecting marine ecosystems.
Lesson materials
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