The world is drowning in plastic. The sheer volume and variety of plastics on the market, and their persistence in nature, create significant risks for human and animal health and the survival of sensitive ecosystems, particularly in marine environments. To its credit, the Canadian government is trying to do something about it. This month Canada released a scientific assessment of plastic pollution in the country, alongside a plan for managing the problem. Canada proposes to clean up its act by regulating plastics as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act,…