AUS hosts regional premiere of Greenpeace MENA documentary on plastic pollution

American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently hosted the regional premiere of A Sea of Plastic, a new documentary by Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa (MENA), bringing together researchers, policymakers and students to examine the environmental and public health impacts of plastic pollution. The documentary spotlights AUS as a key academic partner and player in contributing research-driven and community-based solutions to plastic pollution in the UAE and wider region.

Held on January 22 at AUS, the screening was preceded by an animated panel discussion, which took place as the second phase of the UAE’s nationwide plastics ban came into effect. The event created an important platform for dialogue on the interconnected roles of science, policy, advocacy and youth engagement in addressing plastic pollution, and discussions highlighted several AUS-led projects, including AUS’ recent collaboration with Goumbook on the Empowering Ocean Stewards project, as well as the AUS Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science’s research collaboration with Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), both of which feature in the documentary.

The panel featured an opening speech by Dr. Anabtawi, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at American University of Sharjah (AUS); as well as a range of speakers with expertise ranging from environmental science through to conservation, including Dr. Fatin Samara, Deputy Director of the Water, Energy and Sustainable Environment Research Center (EWSERC) and Professor of Environmental Sciences at AUS; Fadi Yaghmour, Scientific Researcher and Conservation Specialist at the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah; and Rebecca Talbot, Business Development and Campaign Senior Manager at Goumbook. The discussion was moderated by Julia Carlow, Associate Head of Sustainability at AUS.

The event also featured an exhibit by Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), which showcased samples of plastic fragments and residues extracted from the bodies of selected animals, notably turtles. Complementing the exhibit, a competition titled Design for Change: Waste to Value Challenge delivered in collaboration with Terrax World, an environmental services company that transforms hard-to-recycle waste materials into sustainable products for the built environment sector, invited AUS students to design a creative, functional, or decorative concept made entirely from waste material.

“The plastics crisis is scientific, political and deeply human,” said Farah Al Hattab, Lead Plastics Campaigner at Greenpeace MENA. “Bringing this conversation to a university campus like American University of Sharjah allows these perspectives to intersect. The research highlighted in A Sea of Plastic shows that plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue but an increasing public health concern, revealing how deeply plastic has infiltrated our bodies, food systems and daily lives. Addressing plastic pollution is a shared responsibility that transcends borders and communities and calls for urgent action.”

Photo caption: AUS’ Dr. Fatin Samara, as portrayed in Greenpeace MENA’s A Sea of Plastics documentary.

Dr. Fatin Samara, Deputy Director of the Water, Energy and Sustainable Environment Research Center (EWSERC) and Professor of Environmental Sciences at AUS, said the event highlighted the importance of combining research with public engagement.

“Marine plastic pollution poses a growing threat to coastal ecosystems in our region,” she said. “Research on pollutants such as microplastics and persistent organic pollutants reveals the hidden pathways through which plastics affect marine life and human health. By combining scientific insight with documentary storytelling, this event underscored the urgency of protecting our shared marine environment and highlighted the importance of building awareness, particularly among youth in the region, to drive meaningful and lasting change.”

Fadi Yaghmour, Scientific Researcher and Conservation Specialist at the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah, said: 

“Microplastics and plastic additives are now being detected in the human body, with chronic and often unseen impacts on our health that build up over time. While policies to address plastic pollution are a step in the right direction and effective in principle, monitoring and enforcement are essential to assess their real impact. Ultimately, the fight against plastic pollution is not only about moving away from single-use plastics, but about challenging the single-use mentality altogether.”

Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder of Goumbook, said the discussion reflected the importance of cross-sector collaboration. “As the UAE turns environmental ambition into action through its expanded plastic ban, bringing together science, policy, youth and advocacy is more vital than ever,” she said. “Science anchors evidence, policy sets direction, youth bring urgency and innovation, and advocacy drives action. Together, these voices help raise awareness, shape behavior and ensure the fight against plastic pollution delivers lasting change.”

The event and collaboration also received strong support from Dr. Sandra Knuteson, who leads the collaboration with Goumbook; Dr. Sofian Kanan, who is part of the research and the documentary; and Dr. Lara Dronjak, a researcher at AUS who also supported the documentary and the exhibition.

The event took place amid national and regional efforts to address plastic pollution, as international negotiations toward a global plastics treaty continue.

The documentary A Sea of Plastic is available to watch on YouTube.

For more information about the AUS Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, please visit www.aus.edu/cas/department-of-biology-chemistry-and-environmental-scienc...