Shiham Adam - eXXpedition

January 16, 2024

Director of International Pole and Line Foundation.

by eXXpedition Team
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Microplastics have now made their way into a surpr

Microplastics have now made their way into a surprising part of the human body - the brain! 🧠

A recent study published in the @jamanetwork journal
found microplastics in the olfactory bulbs (the part that helps us smell) in 8 out of 15 cadavers, with polypropylene (found in everyday items like rugs, clothes, and furniture) being the most common plastic detected.

“We think the olfactory bulb is one of the first points for microplastics to reach the brain,” says lead researcher Dr. Thais Mauad. While more research is needed, this discovery raises important questions about how microplastics might affect our sense of smell and overall brain health.

“Propylene is everywhere,” Mauad adds. “Our homes are full of plastic.”

These findings are a wake-up call to look closer at how microplastics are impacting our health. The question now is: how far have they traveled into our bodies, and what impact could they be having?

📸: @‌Larkrisepictures

#microplastics #brainhealth #environmentalawareness #sciencenews #microplastic #plasticpollution #wavesofchange #exxpedition #solutions #createchange #oceanplastics

In the grand scheme of our vast planet, we’re ju

In the grand scheme of our vast planet, we’re just scratching the surface of understanding its complexities. Yet, what we have unraveled about the impact we’re having in terms of plastic pollution and climate change is undeniably unsettling.

Nature is sending us countless distress signals, and the urgency to act has never been more critical.

The trail of damage we leave behind us is altering ecosystems, melting ice caps, and intensifying extreme weather events. Whilst plastic pollution is silently choking our ocean and harming marine life. It’s a stark reality: we’re at a crossroads where the decisions we make today will and can shape the future of our planet.

Here at eXXpedition we always focus on the positives and the solutions, for we can not change the past. What we can do is act, and the time to act is now, and every individual action counts. From reducing carbon footprints to embracing sustainable practices and advocating for change, we hold the power to reverse some of the damage caused.

This year, 2025, let’s not be paralysed by the vastness of the unknown; instead, let’s focus on tangible, positive solutions!

#newyear #2025 #exxpedition #companyethos #actnow #positivity #positivechange #changemakers #plasticpollution #microplastics #climateAction #greenerfuture #Sustainable #sustainability

✨ New Ambassador Superpower Blog ✨ Meet our a

✨ New Ambassador Superpower Blog ✨

Meet our ambassador Pallavi, a multidisciplinary designer who joined us for one of our Virtual Voyages! Now at the helm of her own business, Pallavi works at the intersection of creativity and tech, developing new ways to produce creative work - looking at alternative, innovative methods and materials, including virtual reality and compostable 3D printing. Join us as we talk to Pallavi about finding solutions to reduce the negative environmental impact of the creative and entertainment industries.

Click the link in our bio to see what she’s been up to!

#ambassador #superpower #exxpedition #designer #creativity #solutions #sustainability #innovation #ocean #community #inspiringwomen #newblog

From our team to you, we wish you a very Merry Chr

From our team to you, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

As we wrap up another year, we’re deeply grateful for your support and for being part of our journey. Our mission thrives on collaboration - together, we can have a bigger and better impact and your efforts are essential in driving meaningful change.

This Christmas, let’s take a moment to rest and recharge. We can’t wait to dive into the new year and make waves of impact together!

Thank you for being part of the change!

#exxpedition #changemakers #solutions #solutionfocused #zerowaste #plasticpollution #oceanhealth #festivecheer #wastefreechristmas #plasticfreechristmas #feelgoodfestivities

Embrace a Sustainable Kitchen This Festive Season!

Embrace a Sustainable Kitchen This Festive Season!

Check out our latest SHiFT blog where we explore how simple changes in our kitchen habits can make a big difference. From choosing seasonal, local vegetables to creatively using leftovers, every small action helps reduce our environmental impact. By being mindful of where our food comes from and how we prepare it, we can enjoy holiday meals with the peace of mind that we’re making greener choices.

Whether you’re a seasoned eco-warrior or just starting your journey towards sustainability, there’s something here for everyone!

Link in bio!

#jointheshift #shiftmovement #winter #festiveseason #newblog #blogpost #plasticpollution #changemakers #oceanplastics #microplastics #environment #solutionfocused

As Maldives SHiFT draws to a close our Founder, @m

As Maldives SHiFT draws to a close our Founder, @missemilypenn, reflects on the insights it presented…

“The intent is for the data in this report to inform ongoing stakeholder engagement around solutions to strengthen the circular economy and waste management in Maldives, as well as to provide a baseline for future assessment to monitor changes with the implementation of policy. We hope local, national and international decision makers in government, business and the community will use the findings from Maldives SHiFT to further inform successful research-driven solutions in policy, infrastructure, and industry innovation that tackle plastic pollution in Maldives. We would like to thank all our partners who have been instrumental in this research both in Maldives and around the world.”

We hope you’ve enjoyed this deep dive #sciencespotlight series and we’re excited to see how our findings will help support Maldives in reducing plastic pollution. We will continue to support their efforts to make waves of change across their beautiful island atolls!

Maldives SHiFT is a project in collaboration with @defrauk @cefasgovuk @moenvmv @universityofuga @mnuedu_ @parleymaldives @commonwealth_sec @mdvinuk @ukinmaldives @faunafloraint

#communityempowerment #sustainable #solutions #maldivesshift #maldives #shift #exxpedition #seatosource #solutionfocused #changemakers #createchange #ourocean #plasticpollution #oceanplastics #microplastic #BluePlanetFund #BlueCharter

If there’s one thing our research reinforces, it

If there’s one thing our research reinforces, it’s the importance of working together to tackle ocean plastic pollution.

#eXXpedition #plasticpollution #changemakers #oceanplastics #microplastics #marinescience #marineresearch #oneocean

Let’s talk solutions! 💡Extended Producer Res

Let’s talk solutions!

💡Extended Producer Responsibility

We now know that a whopping 95% of products on store shelves in Maldives are imported. International companies profit from selling their goods here, but they’re not helping to manage the waste they generate. That’s why it’s crucial to push for ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ - it’s about time they share the cost of waste management! This is especially relevant as international discussions on plastic pollution heat up, like the UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.

💡Ditch the SUP bottle

Single-use plastic bottles are a big problem, easily ranking high among the most common litter items found in Maldives. From our interviews it became clear that community members are concerned about the safety and taste of tap water, driving the need for in-home water filtration as well as reusable glass bottles. By leveraging existing filling infrastructure, drinking water could be provided to residents with far less plastic waste generation!

💡Is recycling really the answer?

In Maldives, it’s not that simple. As we’ve discussed in this series, limited recycling systems, high costs and the logistical challenges presented by the remote geography of the islands make recycling a far less feasible solution in Maldives. Even ‘easily’ recyclable items like plastic bottles and aluminium cans were in the top 10 most prevalent litter items in the surveys. So, let’s question the emphasis on recycling and focus on practical, sustainable alternatives.

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This post is part of our #ScienceSpotlight on Maldives SHiFT.

Maldives SHiFT is a project in collaboration with @defrauk @cefasgovuk @moenvmv @universityofga @mnuedu_ @parleymaldives @commonwealth_sec @mdvinuk @ukinmaldives @faunafloraint

#communityempowerment #sustainable #solutions #maldivesshift #maldives #shift #exxpedition #seatosource #solutionfocused #changemakers #createchange #ourocean #plasticpollution #oceanplastics #microplastic #blueplanetfund #bluecharter

How did the voyage change your life? 🎤 At the

How did the voyage change your life? 🎤

At the premiere of X Trillion earlier this year, we asked the crew how their time at sea shaped what has happened since. Here’s what they had to say!

Our mission is to bring people directly to the heart of the issue of plastic pollution, empowering them to take their stories and experiences back home.

Judging from their responses, we think it’s safe to say their experience had a big impact!

Catch a screening of @xtrillionfilm near you, to take a peek at what life was like on board and dive into the adventure!

#xtrillion #xtrillionfilm #exxpedition #plasticpollution #microplastics #independentfilm #filmmakers #filmsforchange #sailing #womeninscience #womeninstem #womeninsailing #womenleaders #womenoftheworld #wavesofchange #exxpedition #changemakers

Being able to support communities in their efforts

Being able to support communities in their efforts to reduce plastic pollution is crucial. For Maldives SHiFT we were fortunate to gain recognition and invaluable support from some amazing organisations and partners who truly understood the importance of the project.

Our founder, @missemilypenn, caught up with @heidiprislan, the Blue Charter Advisor from @commonwealth_sec to dive deeper into the work they do and the different ways they strive to support Maldives in making positive changes in the battle against plastic pollution.

The Commonwealth Secretariat played a significant role in supporting our work alongside the Blue Charter - a government focused initiative which seeks to pave the way for ocean sustainability across Commonwealth countries.

Listen in to hear more insight from Heidi!

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This post is part of our #ScienceSpotlight on Maldives SHiFT.

Maldives SHiFT is a project in collaboration with @defrauk @cefasgovuk @moenvmv @universityofga @mnuedu_ @parleymaldives @commonwealth_sec @mdvinuk @ukinmaldives @faunafloraint

#maldivesshift #maldives #shift #exxpedition #commonwealthsec #bluecharter #solutions #seatosource #IGlive #solutionfocused #changemakers #createchange #ourocean #plasticpollution #oceanplastics #microplastics #BluePlanetFund #bluecharter

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