By the year 2050, the alarming projection suggests there may be more plastic than fish in our oceans. This startling assertion was made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the recent final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) held in Busan, South Korea.
Mr. Guterres emphasized that approximately 460 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, with a significant portion discarded shortly after use. During his address to the INC-5 delegates, he stressed that any upcoming global treaty aimed at combating plastic pollution must comprehensively tackle the entire life cycle of plastics.
He pointed out the emerging health issues associated with microplastics in our bloodstream, which are only beginning to be understood. The Secretary-General highlighted the need for a treaty that is “ambitious, credible and just,” focusing on single-use plastics, waste management, and transitioning towards alternative materials.
Guterres called for these commitments to ensure that all countries have access to necessary technologies and can enhance both land and marine environments, while also supporting vulnerable communities, particularly individuals engaged in plastic collection, such as waste pickers.
Inger Anderson, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Program (UNEP), echoed these sentiments, urging immediate action. She remarked that there is a universal desire to prevent plastic pollution from affecting our shores and our health, a feeling that resonates across the G20 nations.
Anderson noted that various stakeholders, including waste pickers, civil society groups, businesses, indigenous communities, and scientists, are actively advocating for global regulations to address this pressing issue. She emphasized that the finance sector is beginning to respond at an international level, and highlighted the recent G20 declaration underscoring the urgency of finalizing a treaty by the end of this year.
Over 170 countries and more than 600 observer organizations participated in the talks in Busan, where South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol urged delegates to devise a clear strategy towards eliminating plastic pollution for the benefit of future generations. Fiji has also joined these efforts, becoming the 67th member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution.
This collective action provides hope for a more sustainable future, as nations and organizations unite to address the plastic crisis. The urgency articulated by global leaders signals a critical turning point in our approach to environmental preservation and health safeguarding, propelling us toward significant progress in combating plastic pollution.
Summary: The article discusses concerns raised by UN leaders about the possibility of the ocean containing more plastic than fish by 2050. It highlights the need for a global treaty addressing the entire lifecycle of plastics, including health impacts, and the commitment from over 170 countries to collaborate on this issue. With growing support from various sectors, there is optimism for progress in reducing plastic pollution.
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