Turning ocean anxiety into action through art and science

Artist and ocean advocate JD Whitman transforms marine debris into visual poetry in Plastic Magnitudes, an installation that doesn’t just show the plastic crisis-it invites us to feel it. Blending science, community, and creativity, her work makes the microscopic visible, the ecological personal, and the immensity of pollution both tangible and transformable. 

The growing global crisis of plastic pollution isn’t just an environmental issue-it’s deeply human, emotional, and increasingly urgent and JD Whitman understands this intimately. Her work, developed in close collaboration with researchers from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), weaves science and storytelling into experiences that engage the heart as much as the mind. 

Rooted in marine science, policy-driven research, and community dialogue, Plastic Magnitudes is a powerful art installation that brings to life the invisible yet escalating threat of micro- and nanoplastics.  Whitman works at the intersection of science communication, creative expression, and ocean advocacy. Her mission is 

to translate complex environmental research into accessible, emotionally resonant forms that foster understanding and inspire eco-action. 

The Plastic Magnitudes installation is a SciArt project and was co-created with researchers Dora Mehn, Jessica Ponti, Marisa Sarria Pereira De Passos, and Andrea Valsesia. Inspired by the movement of plastic particulates through aquatic ecosystems-and eventually into our own bodies-the piece juxtaposes stark laboratory visuals with images of plastic waste collected from Irish coastal communities. The physical structure itself is formed from fused marine debris and repurposed plastic sheets, gathered during community clean-ups in County Clare and County Galway and transformed through a series of science-art workshops. 

In these workshops, participants also engaged in meaningful conversations about the ecological and psychological impacts of pollution, including eco-anxiety, and discussed circular solutions. This collective process shaped the artwork’s aesthetic and purpose, making Plastic Magnitudes both  a scientific visualization and  a shared reflection on responsibility, vulnerability, and the power of community-based action.

At a time when many feel overwhelmed by environmental crises, Whitman’s work offers a rare space for hope and transformation. Through immersive storytelling, hands-on participation, and a deep respect for scientific research, Plastic Magnitudes invites viewers to process their emotions and envision pathways toward a more circular, sustainable future. It is a call to awareness-and to action. 

 Plastic Magnitudes exemplifies how art can be a bridge between policy, research, and public engagement.