Perspective Chapter: Environmental Ethics and the Microplastic Crisis – A Philosophical Inquiry into Human Responsibility and Aquatic Justice

This chapter examines the microplastic crisis through the dual lenses of environmental ethics and empirical science by emphasizing the intersections of human responsibility and aquatic justice. Microplastics, which are best described as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are now recognized as one of the most pervasive pollutants of the twenty-first century, with an estimated 15–51 trillion particles in global oceans and 8–10 million tonnes entering annually. Their persistence in aquatic systems leads to ingestion by over 100 marine species, reduced feeding efficiency in copepods by up to 40%, and measurable risks to human health via seafood consumption and tap water contamination. Through the hermeneutical method of enquiry and a critical analysis of anthropocentric, biocentric, ecocentric, and interspecies justice perspectives, this chapter interrogates humanity’s moral responsibility toward aquatic ecosystems. It proposes the concept of aquatic justice, extending environmental justice principles to non-human life and future generations, and grounding ethical obligations in intergenerational equity, intrinsic ecosystem value, and restorative responsibility. Hence, by linking scientific evidence with ethical reasoning, the chapter calls for coordinated interventions such as policy reform, corporate accountability, technological innovation, and cultural reorientation that prioritize ecological integrity and justice. Ultimately, this work contributes to ongoing discussions on sustainability by situating the microplastic crisis not only as an environmental issue but also as a profound ethical challenge requiring collective and transformative action.