NATIONS around the world are turning attention to the urgent need to end plastic pollution.
Canada is hosting the fourth session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) in Ottawa from April 23 to 29. These negotiations aim to develop a legally binding global plastics treaty to help safeguard people and the planet from the harmful impacts of plastic pollution.
To highlight the urgency of this issue and directly call on Canadian and international decision-makers to step up, Oceana Canada has partnered with Earthday.org to highlight the dangers of plastic pollution.
“We can’t further delay solving this crisis. Plastic pollution knows no borders and stands as the second most pressing environmental issue behind climate change. The devastation caused by plastic pollution in the ocean is undeniable, with floating islands of garbage, whales found dead on beaches with stomachs full of plastic bags, seabirds starving due to plastic entanglement, and seafood contaminated with microplastics,” said Anthony Merante, Senior Plastics Campaigner, Oceana Canada.
“Plastics are killing marine wildlife at unprecedented levels, but research is now showing that microplastics and their additive chemicals are associated with a huge range of human health issues too, from strokes to cancers to Alzheimer’s,” said Kathleen Rogers, President, of Earthday.org.
The fossil fuel and plastic industries have hindered action on plastic pollution in Canada and the lobbying efforts of oil and gas interests are now hindering progress in this vital global treaty.
These same industries have not presented any solutions to the plastic crisis, which now sees over 90 percent of plastic waste going to landfills, incinerators or into the environment.
INC-4 is the final step before the global plastic treaty is finalised in Busan, South Korea later this year.
Meanwhile, UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, at INC-4 opening plenary on Tuesday, said, “ We have seen much progress. Both in the three negotiating sessions and in growing global backing for an end to plastic pollution.
“Multiple polls have shown that the public is heartsick of plastic pollution. Civil society – including indigenous peoples, scientists, waste pickers, women’s groups and local communities – have spoken loud and clear against plastic pollution. Businesses are innovating with new products and asking for clear long-term global rules. The finance sector wants to get behind this opportunity. In fact, 160 financial institutions representing US$15.5 trillion in assets last week signed the Finance Statement on Plastic Pollution, supported by the UNEP Finance Initiative.
“Everyone wants this deal. So, INC-4 must take a huge stride towards delivering. By narrowing the options of the draft text. By taking tough decisions. By finding compromise. By agreeing on a mandate for intersessional work, so that, at INC-5 in Busan this November, we can and will finalise an instrument that sets the stage to end plastic pollution.”
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