As delegates from more than 170 countries are preparing to meet in Geneva for a central round of conversations, a leading expert in the sea -sore encourages them to ensure an ambitious global agreement on plastic pollution.
According to The GuardianProfessor Richard Thompson, who invented the term ‘microplastics’, emphasized that decisive action is needed to protect human health and the planet for future generations.
Thompson, named among Time 100 most influential people this year participate in the negotiations as coordinator of the scientist’s coalition for an effective plastic treaty.
“It’s really clear to protect future generations, we have to take crucial actions now on a treaty to tackle plastic pollution. So I really hope dealers can see the next generation in the eye and say they were acting decisively.”
Thompson’s call comes in the middle of deep divisions among the nations about whether to include legally binding boundaries of plastic production in the final treaty.
Last November, Busan negotiations, South Korea, failed to reach agreement.
More than 100 countries support legally binding reductions, but nations with large fossil fuel industries, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and China, are pushing for a treaty that focuses on better waste management and recycling.
The United States has also stated support for a less ambitious agreement.
The unhappy of the situation was emphasized by a recent report warned that the world is in a “plastic crisis” that causes illness and death and costs at least $ 1.5 trillion a year in health -related injuries.
Production of plastic has increased by more than 200 times since 1950 and is expected to be almost tripled again in 2060. This growth is largely driven by the production of disposable plastic products, especially for packaging and containers, The Guardian reported.
Globally, only 9% of produced plastic is recycled, and Thompson, whose work led to the United Kingdom’s ban on micropers in cosmetic products, the evidence showed that plastic production had to be reduced to tackle plastic pollution.
He believes that a treaty should ensure that only essential plastic is produced, the thousands of chemicals used are reduced and a circular economy of recycling is adopted.
Further, Thompson noted that although some countries consider production cuts as an economic threat, “business-normal is not sustainable.”
Graham Forbes, Greenpeace’s Delegation Manager for the Treaty Handling, repeated this mood and said, “Uncontrolled plastic production is a death sentence. The only way to end plastic pollution is to stop making so much plastic.
“World leaders must seize the opportunity in Geneva, get up to the fossil fuel industry and take the first step of humanity towards ending the plastic crisis and creating a healthier, safer future for everyone.”
