Understanding Pollution in the Francophone World: An Analysis of Four Case Studies

Pollution is a problem that affects almost every country in the world in one way or another. In the scientific community, there is a great deal of research and data about pollution, but without effective scientific communication, the general public is often unaware of the results of these studies. The aim of this research project is to communicate the results of scientific studies to a French-speaking general public, with a focus on pollution originating in the Francophone world, prioritizing French-language sources coming from the countries of interest. For each case study, general background, state of the current research, and questions of environmental justice will be shared in order to inform the reader in multiple facets. The four case studies that will be analyzed are as follows: Microplastics in the Mediterranean Sea, Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution in India from a French ship, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in France and Switzerland, and chlordecone (Kepone) formerly used in banana plantations in the French Caribbean. The goal is to perform a "vulgarisation", or generalization of the research into a level of speech that is highly accessible to the general public. Current solutions to each pollutant as well as steps for action will be summarized to empower the Francophone community towards positive environmental action.