A Chance for Bold & Binding Global Plastics Treaty
[1]
FEBRUARY 2022
[2]
Dear John,
The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) will convene in Nairobi,
Kenya, February 28–March 2, 2022 to discuss, among other things, the
process for negotiating a Global Plastics Treaty. This is an UNPRECEDENTED
OPPORTUNITY to urge world leaders to create a legally binding global treaty
that addresses the full life cycle of plastic [2]—from extraction to
disposal. Please add your name [3] and share the petition to help “make
it bold, make it binding!” And FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER UNEA DURING
OUR NEXT WEBINAR [4] on Wednesday, March 16, where we will debrief with
experts currently on the ground in Nairobi for UNEA 5.2. Sign up [4].
Speaking of webinars, our February 16 webinar _“__DON’T LOOK DOWN”:
HOW MISINFORMATION & SCIENCE DENIAL OBSCURES THE GLOBAL PLASTICS AND
CLIMATE CRISIS _was a powerful discussion on the intersection of plastic
pollution and climate change—and how THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY has
weaponized misinformation to BLAME PEOPLE FOR THE POLLUTION THAT INDUSTRY
CREATES. With over 800 sign-ups and many important questions, we extended
the webinar nearly half an hour longer than anticipated. This was an
episode not to be missed; check it out [5].
Onward,
Julia Cohen
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Plastic Pollution Coalition
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
[6]
★ ACTIVISTS DELIVER 67,482 SIGNATURES TO U.S. DEPT. OF STATE AHEAD OF
UNEA 5.2 [6]
On February 16, activists from the #breakfreefromplastic [7] movement met
with a staff member from the U.S. Department of State to deliver 67,482
petition signatures [6] calling for the United States to support a legally
binding Global Plastics Treaty covering the full life cycle of plastic at
UNEA 5.2. Several countries have already announced their commitment [8] for
a global treaty covering the full life cycle of plastics, including Canada,
France, South Korea, and the United States. Individuals may continue to
sign on to support [3] the call to action.
★ Los Angeles City Council Votes To Reduce Single-Use Plastics
On February 16, the Los Angeles City Council voted [9] to take a
multi-prong approach to single-use plastics source reduction to be
implemented in short- and long-term phases. The proposals, which were
outlined in LASAN’s environmental review [10], cover:
* EPS foodware ban (Prohibit the manufacturing, sale, and use of specific
expanded polystyrene [EPS] foodware items and packaging)
* Lifting all exemptions on the plastic bag ban
* Implementing the city department zero waste plan (Adopt policies for
City operations, departments, and events that prohibit single-use plastic
and expanded polystyrene)
* Comprehensive single-use plastic reduction strategies (Implement
comprehensive single-use plastic reduction strategies, including a mandate
to require reusable foodware for on-site dining and a fee on disposables)
★ FRENCH SHIPPING LINE TO STOP TRANSPORTING PLASTIC WASTE ON ITS SHIPS
On February 11, French shipping line CMA CGM announced that beginning on
June 1, they will no longer transport plastic waste on their ships [11].
The commitment was in response to the call made by The Last Beach Cleanup
[12], the Basel Action Network (BAN) [13], and 50 other non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), including Plastic Pollution Coalition. The Basel
Action Network and The Last Beach Cleanup launched the Global Shipping
Lines Campaign [14] one year ago, calling on the world's largest shipping
lines, Hapag-Lloyd (Germany) Maersk (Denmark), CMA CGM (France), MSC
(Switzerland), Hamburg Sud (Germany) Hyundai Merchant Marine (Korea),
Evergreen (Taiwan), COSCO (China), and Orient Shipping (Jordan), to "prove
their sustainability commitments and keep their promises to protect the
marine and terrestrial environment by pledging not to transport plastic
waste to countries that are ill-equipped to handle it in an environmentally
sound manner."
★ FEBRUARY WEBINAR [5]—Don’t Look Down: How Misinformation & Science
Denial Obscures the Global Plastics and Climate Crisis
On FEBRUARY 16, 2022, we were joined by an amazing panel of plastic and
climate experts for a discussion on the impacts of plastics on climate and
human health and how industry uses science denial and misinformation to
prevent urgent and transformative solutions from being adopted. Our panel
included YVETTE ARELLANO, Founder & Executive Director of Fenceline Watch;
SHILPI CHHOTRAY, Co-Founder & Executive Director of People Over Plastic;
and DR. MICHAEL MANN, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science &
Director, Earth System Science Center, Pennsylvania State University, whose
work and persona provided inspiration for Leonardo DiCaprio’s character
in the satirical film _DON’T LOOK UP_. Watch the recording.
★ PEOPLE OVER PLASTIC PODCAST [15] Wraps Season One with Powerful Episode
Focused on Movement Leaders
In “Still in My Backyard,” [15] host Shilpi Chhotray gets personal with
three incredible leaders from different parts of the world who spend a lot
of time on the intersection of plastic, climate, health, and environmental
justice. Guests VON HERNANDEZ, YVETTE ARELLANO, and TIZA MAFIRA were also
featured in the Emmy-winning documentary The Story of Plastic [16]. Listen
to the episode [15].
TAKE ACTION
[2]
★ SIGN ON TO SUPPORT A BOLD AND BINDING GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY
Nearly 1,000 organizations have signed on [17] to a call for the United
Nations to negotiate a new legally binding global instrument that COVERS
PLASTIC POLLUTION ACROSS ITS ENTIRE LIFE CYCLE—from extraction to
disposal. See why [2] it’s so important, sign the petition [3], and
please share [2]!
★ TELL AMAZON: STOP POLLUTING OUR PLANET WITH PLASTIC PACKAGING!
Oceana’s recent report [18] reveals that Amazon generated an estimated
599 million pounds of plastic packaging waste in 2020, with up to 23.5
million pounds of this plastic waste entering the world’s waterways and
seas. Find out more [18] and sign our petition [19] to tell Amazon to stop
polluting our planet with plastic packaging.
UPCOMING EVENT
[4]
★ MARCH 16 WEBINAR—THE GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
What is the Global Plastics Treaty, and what do we mean when we say it
needs to be “legally binding” and “address the full life cycle of
plastic”? And what does the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA
5.2) in Nairobi have to do with it? Hear from the experts on MARCH 16, 2022
as we explore the need and opportunity to negotiate a bold and binding
global commitment to address plastic pollution, and find out what happened
at UNEA 5.2 from some key people who were on the ground there. Sign up [4].
YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
DONATE [20]
#PLASTICPOLLUTES
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PLASTIC POLLUTION COALITION is a growing global alliance of individuals,
organizations, businesses, and policymakers working toward a more just,
equitable world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans,
animals, waterways, oceans, and the environment. Plastic Pollution
Coalition is a project of Earth Island Institute, a 501(c)3, non-profit
organization, organized and existing under the laws of California (Federal
Tax ID #94-2889684).
PLASTIC POLLUTION COALITION
4401A Connecticut Avenue NW #143
Washington, DC 20008
[email protected]
(323) 936-3010
SUBSCRIBE [25] | UNSUBSCRIBE [26]
Copyright © 2022 Plastic Pollution Coalition
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