The first step away from marine disaster

‘Without change,’’ warns a bipartisan group of United States senators, ‘‘there will be more plastic by weight than fish in the oceans by 2050.’’ Every human should be alarmed. The group of senators has introduced a bill that would start to take on the problem. Save Our Seas 2.0 builds on an ocean cleanliness law President Donald Trump already signed.

The new legislation would overhaul the country’s recycling infrastructure, which needs basic upgrades, such as the ability to effectively sort plastics into different grades of material. It would create a fund to respond to ‘‘marine debris events’’ — like a container ship accident — enabling quick response to major mishaps. And it would finance research into repurposing used plastic into useful things – think everything from blue jeans to skateboards to telephone poles.

Even if the US does better, though, the problem will not end without other nations cleaning up their acts. Asian countries throw enormous amounts of plastic into the seas. The senators’ bill would insist the Trump administration prioritise ocean pollution and push for an international agreement on marine debris.

Passing this bill would only represent a start, and Congress would have to monitor implementation closely, given Mr Trump’s allergy to even the most benign international agreements. But the legislation would be a start, and it merits quick and ringing approval.