Ask world leaders to support a strong global plastic treaty that addresses the whole life cycle of plastic.
Policy-makers are about to rendezvous online and in person in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, for a second round of negotiations on how to deal with our current plastic pollution crisis. National governments and multinational corporations will gather for the next session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2), presenting the international community with a historic opportunity to make substantial decisions on plastic pollution.
Greenpeace and allies are calling for a treaty that will quickly move us away from unnecessary plastic packaging and support the development of refill and reuse systems on a global scale. We need a treaty that includes the entire life cycle of plastic, which focuses on reducing the use of plastic – otherwise the impact of plastic on climate, environmental justice, and human health will not be addressed. Anything less will be a missed opportunity.
Decision-makers don’t have to look very far from where they are right now to understand why an ambitious global plastics treaty is not only necessary, but urgent if we are to restore dignity to communities that have been ravaged by plastic pollution. It’s time to #BreakFreeFromPlastic or continue life like this…
Johannesburg, South Africa: The ugly surge of plastic
First stop is my childhood community south of Johannesburg, Lenasia. Townships aren’t exactly known for their aesthetics; in fact, communities like mine, which were created under the apartheid government as a form of spatial oppression, were underserviced under the past regime and remained so in South Africa’s new democratic dispensation because of the lack of wealth circulating in the community.
Over the past two decades, plastic pollution has made an already uncomfortable living environment even worse. The dramatic rise in production of plastic coupled with lack of government service delivery for a growing population living in informal settlements means underprivileged communities are awash with plastic pollution.
Douala, Cameroon: Drowning in plastic
The impact of plastic pollution is not just a matter of aesthetics; for communities in the Central African economic hub, plastic pollution is a matter of life and death. Year after year, annual flooding caused by heavy rains and blocked drainage systems claims hundreds of lives, leaves countless more displaced, and destroys the livelihoods of families that are already struggling to get by.
And no matter how many clean-ups communities do to curb the impacts of plastic pollution, the constant and increasing supply of plastic to the fast-growing population undermines people’s battle against plastic pollution. What remains are whole neighbourhoods submerged in water as soon as the rainy season arrives.
Matadi, Democratic Republic of Congo: Eating plastic
Even in the most remote from major population centres on the African continent, the detrimental impact of plastic pollution is still felt. Local fishers an hour out of the busy city of Matadi say that the plastic pollution makes its way into their water systems, interfering with their ability to provide for their families.
According to fishers, not only has the number of fish decreased dramatically because of plastic, but they often find plastic in their nets and inside the fish that they catch (in fact, plastic is more frequently finding its way into our food). Plastic pollution is interfering with food security in the region, which relies on fish as a source of protein. They are pleading with their government to intervene before it is too late, their existing legislation just needs to be enforced.
Nairobi, Kenya: The forces holding us back
Even in what is said to be one of the most progressive countries in the world as far as anti-plastic legislation is concerned, there is still no avoiding the flood of plastic on the roadsides and in waterways of the Kenyan capital.
Since Kenya’s ban of the plastic bag and subsequent ban on all plastic items in national parks and conservation areas, there has been talk of expanding restrictions because of the impact they’ve had on improving the environment. Despite these efforts, there has been international pressure to drop its existing restrictions, which has opened the Kenyan public’s eyes to the beast that they are really facing.
Ask world leaders to support a strong global plastic treaty that addresses the whole life cycle of plastic.
So, what do we actually need to defeat the plastic pollution crisis?
We need a solution that matches the scale of the problem, and a global treaty that includes the entire life cycle of plastic is that solution. We need a strong global plastics treaty that ensures a holistic approach to ending the plastic pollution crisis and not one that is laced with loopholes which allows the top plastic polluters like Coca-Cola to continue flooding the world with even more plastic.
A strong global plastics treaty means:
- creating a legally binding instrument to ensure compliance from governments and industry;
- keeping oil and gas in the ground, and protecting our climate;
- big brands switching to refill and reuse systems and reducing single use plastic pollution;
- holding countries accountable for managing their own waste and ending waste colonialism; and
- governments working to ensure a just transition for workers and the health of the most affected communities.
Discussion
Pollution of seawater Seawater is mixed with a variety of waste and chemicals that are transported from land, and this pollution causes many different kinds of damage, including environmental and economic damage, as well as a lot of damage to the health of living organisms. Human waste also reaches seawater, which contributes to the pollution of seawater significantly; The result is the elimination of many habitats inhabited by Marine species, leading to eclampses.Plastic debris also reaches seawater when it is washed away by heavy rain in major coastal cities and is a major threat to Marine life; Plastic debris in the oceans annually amounts to 500 million tons, which is broken down into very small parts and then eaten up by Marine organisms. It is estimated to cause the death of 1 million seabirds each year and a very large number of turtles. It can also be life threatening, with up to 80% of land-based seawater pollution estimatedThere are many types of seawater pollution, includingNatural Marine pollution. Natural Marine pollution is pollution that has no specific source. We are all contributors to this pollution. It is the result of some wrongdoing, such as the way we get rid of some materials; Some natural phenomena also contribute to this pollution, such as greases, oils, wastes and the waste of some animals, which causes waste to be transported to seawater through stormwater drains and also contributes to it. When rainwater falls, it causes dirt, contaminants and others in its way Plastic Marine pollution. Plastic pollution of seawater results from the runoff of water loaded with the waste of plastic beaches, waste, fishing nets, etc., which is then transported to the sea, and Marine organisms do not distinguish it from their food; They feed on plastics by error Coral reefs have been found to feed on plastics, and dying mammals on beaches have plastics inside them On the other hand, plastic debris used on coasts and beaches may have a pollution effect for as long as 400 yearsThe sea and the Marine environment are of great importance to human life, providing a wealth of food, economic, tourism and other resources, and Marine pollution is one of the problems of our time; Such as chemical pollution; Caused by chemicals, fertilizers, etc. and plastic pollution from the arrival of plastics and waste into seawater, oil spills, some living things, loud sounds from ships, artificial light, radioactive materials, etc. are also key The reproductive patterns and behaviour of many Marine organisms are influenced by human waste discarded into the sea; Industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, other chemicals and plastics; Where all types of sea turtles, as well as 45% of Marine mammals and 21% of seabirds have been affected, plastics being the most serious of these pollutants; They degrade into noxious substances, which absorb other pollutants, thus harming Marine life when ingested. The amount of plastics eaten by North Pacific Marine organisms is between 12,000-24,000 tons per year, which many turtles are saturated or suffocated to death; Some studies suggest that 50% of the world's turtles have eaten plastic, as this food can significantly affect sea turtle reproduction. Some studies predict that the proportion of seabirds eating plastic will rise to 99% by 2050. This will reduce food storage in the bird's stomach and permanent hunger. Plastic contaminants contribute to the death of many different Marine mammals, including some endangered mammals. For example, the Hawaiian Monk seal and the Stiller sea lion, a large amount of dead whales have been found ingesting much plastic material Seawater pollution can be reduced by paying a lot of money and consuming a lot of time to correct the pollution after it occurs Pollution can be reduced through prevention that only needs behavioral changes Many different measures must be taken to reduce pollution of sea water There must be a reduction in the proportion of toxic substances thrown into the sea, a reduction in the dumping of hazardous materials and waste from ships, the separation of stormwater pipes from sewage and the discharge of sewage into the sea, and a number of regulations and regulations to ensure that oil transported through ships does not enter the water. Many actions can be taken by individuals that limit the pollution of seawater and preserve Marine lifeCleaning up beach litter, collecting it, dumping it in the designated areas and taking it away from the beach. Reduce the amount of waste that reaches the beaches, by recycling waste that can be used again, such as glass, metal, and paper; The reduced amount of waste reduces pollutants that reach the sea. Some local tree planting communities have been established near streams, and the waste around them has been removed to ensure that the waste does not reach rivers Since rivers flow into other bodies of water into the sea, this means that keeping them clean from various sediments and wastes contributes to the cleanliness of the sea. Ensure that rainwater does not mix with any residues and other wastes on its way to designated sinks; It carries much of the small waste that goes into drainage and into the seawater, and the amount of these pollutants is low if there is much less street waste.