World Environment Day is observed on 5 June, and focuses efforts on tackling pollution caused by plastic waste in 2023.
In a message, the UN Secretary-General stressed the importance of preventing the “disastrous” consequences of this type of waste. ,More than 400 million tons are produced in the world every year. Made of plastic, a third of which is used only once.
Furthermore, Antonio Guterres warned that “every day, the equivalent of more than 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic is dumped into our oceans, rivers and lakes.”
Some of the consequences are that microplastics are finding their way into the food we eat, the water we drink and even the air we breathe, and the more plastic we produce, the more only more We make the climate crisis worseAs we burn more fossil fuels.
we have solutions
But solutions are within reach: including legally binding agreement Which is still ongoing, after five days of talks involving more than 130 countries last week.
A new report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) suggests that plastic pollution can be reduced by up to 80% by 2040. if humanity acts now Reuse, recycle and discard plastic,
“Governments, businesses and consumers must work together to break the addiction to plastic, champion zero waste and create a truly circular economy.
“Together, let’s build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for all.”
World Environment Day 2023 for a planet #without plastic pollution
less than 10% is recycled
The statistics on the harm caused by plastics are frightening: more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced around the world every year, half of which are designed for one-time use. that amount, less than 10% is recycledAccording to United Nations data.
it is estimated that Between 19 and 23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas annuallyAbout the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers.
plastic on the menu
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles up to 5 mm in diameter, find their way into everything we eat and breathe. it is estimated that Every person on the planet consumes over 50,000 plastic particles per yearAnd many more if inhalation is taken into account.
Throw away or burn single use plastic harms human health and biodiversity And pollutes all ecosystems from the tops of mountains to the bottom of the oceans.
With the science and solutions available to address the problem, governments, companies and other stakeholders must step up and accelerate action to address this crisis, the United Nations said. ,
Regulations in Latin America
Latin America and the Caribbean is a region that is particularly vulnerable to marine litter and other environmental threats caused by the climate crisis. According to UNEP data, 3.7 million tonnes of plastic pollution from countries in the region entered the ocean in 2020.
Yet, 27 of the 33 countries that make it up have passed national or local laws to reduce, ban or eliminate single-use plastics.
some rules focus on Ban on use of plastic bags and straws, stirrers and chopsticks (Chile) or cosmetics containing added plastic microspheres (Argentina). Other measures aim to ensure that 100% of single-use plastics are reusable, recyclable or compostable (Colombia).
In addition, Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic and Panama are using biofences Made from reclaimed plastic waste to collect plastic waste from rivers, allowing communities to collect and recycle it. The fence extends from the other side of the river and prevents plastic pollution from flowing into the ocean.
Half a century celebrating World Environment Day
World Environment Day, moderated by UNEP and celebrated every 5 June since 1973, is the largest global platform for environmental outreach and is celebrated by millions of people around the world.
Each year it is sponsored by a different country, and in 2023 the host and organizer is Côte d’Ivoire.
