Today's World Environment Day is marked by #BeatPlasticPollution
World Environment Day has been celebrated every year on June 5 since 1972. World Environment Day 2023 reminds us that people's actions on plastic pollution are important. The steps that governments and businesses are taking to tackle plastic pollution are the result of this action. It's time to accelerate these actions and make the transition to a circular economy.
The global plastics agreement - #BeatPlasticPollution
The second round of negotiations on a global plastics agreement ended in Paris on Friday - with a "minimal compromise", according to Greenpeace expert Lisa Panhuber. "China, India, the USA and the Gulf states are reacting very thin-skinned to the slightest suggestions to cut back production," says Hugo-Maria Schally, an EU official involved in the negotiations. "The petrochemical industry has a massive presence and is doing everything it can to delay and water things down," says Lisa Panhuber. "And you very quickly realize how strong their lobby is. Industry representatives, for example, are invited to most official events, but civil society or indigenous groups are not."
https://news.pro.earth/2023/05/27/wir-brauchen-ein-weltweites-plastikabkommen/
"Environmental protection needs all of our commitment as a human family. We only have one planet Earth. We must protect it together, because it is our common home."
Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of the Republic of Austria
Important global task
Curbing the flood of plastic is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. We have already compiled important facts on this topic. You can find them here.
https://news.pro.earth/2023/05/29/fakten-zum-weltweiten-plastikverbrauch/
We must act now
Plastic surrounds us. It is everywhere. Around us. And inside us. We need to look for and find plastic-free alternatives again, even if it means giving up certain comforts and habits. So what can we do?
- When shopping: Prefer plastic-free alternatives
- Prefer stores where you can buy food openly
- Sustainable clothing: The fashion industry produces 20 percent of the world's wastewater and 10 percent of the world's carbon emissions. That's more than all international flights and shipping combined. "Fast fashion" is so out. Look out for sustainable clothing lines, vintage stores and repair your clothes if possible.
- Avoid microplastics in cosmetics and cleaning products
- Collect garbage while walking or running
- Avoid plastic bottles by taking a refillable bottle with you
- Try to become a zero-waste champion
- Be an advocate for change: Ask local supermarkets, restaurants and suppliers to stop using plastic packaging and tell them why. Put pressure on local authorities to improve their waste management.
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