Our Vision and Goals

An annual Lancet indicator report that grows and evolves every year will remain at the core of our work. However, we know from the Climate Countdown that the report has greater impact when there is a concerted effort to communicate its findings across multiple channels, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. We also know that the field of plastics and health research has gaps, and growing a global community of research support is critical. The following opportunities for strategic growth would maximize the impact of the Countdown

• Expanded operations and collaboration to support the publication of indicator reports on an ongoing basis. We have seen the impact of the Countdown on Health and Climate grow over the years, and we can do this with plastics and health. This would principally support an operations director, a policy lead, and communications staff, as well as Countdown scientific meetings and stakeholder engagements (estimate: $750k/annual). 
• Launching an independent Countdown website for policymakers, researchers, and others to engage with indicator data. The Countdown can use the website to meaningfully amplify Lancet Countdown report publications, supplemental publications, and ongoing updates to indicator reporting (estimate: $250k/annual). 
• Support for young scientists and researchers from the global south to develop and contribute indicators to future Countdown reports. Research on health and plastics is skewed heavily in wealthy countries, often where good data is available. Through a grant program, we can support research from young scientists and the global south to increase the breadth and representation of indicator production, and encourage a wider base of research into the impacts of plastics on human health (estimate: $350k/annual).