Richard Thompson, Tamara Galloway, Penelope Lindeque

Small pieces of plastics are widely spread all over the world’s oceans and ingested by living creatures. Microplastics are found in zooplankton, fish, seabirds, whales, seals, and also in humans. Yet, the long-term effects of this plastic pollution threat are still largely unknown.

Three scientists, Richard Thompson, Tamara Galloway, and Penelope Lindeque, that have conducted ground breaking research in understanding the impact of microplastics on humans and the environment are this year’s laureates of the Volvo Environment Prize.