Giraffes are facing extinction! Due to global warming and human hunting.
The amount of plastic waste is increasing day by day, causing significant environmental impacts. If the world does not take immediate action, in the next 10 years, the planet will not be able to handle the vast amount of plastic waste.
Before the final negotiations, Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norway’s Minister for International Development, spoke prior to the final meeting about the world’s first treaty to end plastic waste, held in Busan, South Korea. She discussed the divide between plastic-producing countries and others. Tvinnereim represents 60 countries pushing for a global plastic treaty, led by Rwanda and Norway, aiming to address plastic pollution throughout its entire lifecycle. The most important aspect is to impose strict limitations on plastic production.
However, even though a “perfect treaty” may not be achievable due to strong opposition, especially from oil-producing countries, she hopes to reach an agreement and strengthen the treaty in the future.
“We may not achieve a perfect treaty, but we must move forward, and I believe we can. I choose to remain hopeful,” Tvinnereim said. “With the coalition of countries committed to pushing for a global plastic treaty, we will continue to show that there is a large group of countries dedicated to this cause. The world needs leadership and positive news right now.”
This year, researchers have found microplastics in every sample of placenta tested, in human arteries, and in human testicles and sperm. These microplastics may contribute to heart attacks and strokes, highlighting the spread of plastic and concerns over health risks. The plastic crisis is now widely recognized as a threat to human health, biodiversity, and the climate.
Two years after 175 countries reached a historic agreement to authorize negotiations for a legally binding global treaty to manage the entire plastic lifecycle, each country still has differing opinions on the approach to take. With deadlines approaching, progress has stalled due to disagreements on the necessity of reducing the $712 billion plastic industry. The latest negotiations in April failed to reach an agreement on setting production targets, which are seen as a key measure in reducing plastic waste and central to the treaty. The negotiations are set to conclude on December 1, making it a critical issue.
Anne Beathe Tvinnereim stated, “Of course, we need to recycle and manage waste more, but if we do not reduce production and consumption, we will not be able to handle the amount of plastic in the system in the next 10 years.”
Global plastic use may triple by 2060, with the largest increases expected in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Plastic waste is also expected to triple by 2060, with half of it being landfilled and less than one-fifth being recycled.
The contentious negotiations highlight differing viewpoints, with large oil and gas producing nations, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran, referred to as the “Like-minded Group,” avoiding any reduction in plastic production and emphasizing waste management as the main solution to the crisis. Meanwhile, developing countries, which bear the brunt of excessive plastic production that overwhelms their waste management systems, are calling for a global reduction in production.
The uncertainty in negotiations has been exacerbated by the stance of the U.S., one of the largest plastic producers. The U.S. has recently signaled support for a treaty calling for reduced production, but the return of Donald Trump, a supporter of fossil fuels, as U.S. president in January raises doubts again.
One negotiator from a country advocating for the global plastic treaty said, “If we can see China play a more active role, as we’ve seen them do on other international platforms and within their own country, we have a good chance of creating an effective tool. If not, it will be very difficult.”
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