Dear John,

Earlier this month, parties to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) agreed on a mandate to negotiate a legally binding treaty addressing the full life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal. The agreement is being heralded as a historic win for advocates working to tackle the plastic pollution crisis and is something we’ve been working toward for a long time! Our March webinar was a discussion with advocates who were on the ground at UNEA 5.2—Christopher Chin (COARE), Jane Patton (CIEL), and Neil Tangri (GAIA), moderated by Shilpi Chhotray (People Over Plastic). You can watch the recording here.

We are also excited to announce eight nominees for The Earthshot Prize. This prestigious prize honors projects with simple but ambitious goals for our planet which, if achieved by 2030, will improve life for us all, for generations to come.

Lastly, climate leaders will gather virtually at the 2022 American Climate Leadership Summit (ACLS 2022) March 28–31, 2022. As part of Plastic Pollution Coalition’s network, you have access to unlimited free registrations for the event! Use the code ACLS22PPC to redeem free registration. Now in its 11th year, ACLS 2022 will ensure that climate leaders of all levels—particularly those who are new and active at the local level—are inspired and empowered with the latest climate information and resources. ACLS22 will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with thousands of like-minded leaders. See you there!

Onward,

Dianna Cohen
Co-Founder & CEO
Plastic Pollution Coalition

★ Youth Activists Call for “Louder” Climate Action in New Music Video with Grammy Winner Keb’ Mo’
Plastic Pollution Coalition and global youth climate activists have teamed up with Keb’ Mo’, 5-time Grammy award–winning American Blues musician and songwriter, to create a music video for his song “Louder,” to amplify their message—that we need climate action and we need it now—to stop the climate crisis. Watch and share the video.

★ A Global Plastics Treaty to “Turn Off the Tap” Wins Support at UNEA
In what is being heralded as a historic win for advocates working to tackle the plastic pollution crisis, parties to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) have agreed on a mandate to negotiate a legally binding treaty addressing the full life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal. Support for a comprehensive treaty has been strong, with over 1,000 civil society groups, 450 scientists, and over one million individuals worldwide joining the call. Our March webinar was a discussion with advocates who were on the ground for UNEA 5.2 in Nairobi, Kenya—Christopher Chin (COARE), Jane Patton (CIEL), and Neil Tangri (GAIA)— moderated by Shilpi Chhotray (People Over Plastic). They discussed what happened at UNEA 5.2 and what comes next. Watch the recording.

★ Plastic Pollution Coalition Nominates Eight Solutions for The Earthshot Prize 2022
Plastic Pollution Coalition is pleased to announce our eight nominees for The Earthshot Prize 2022. We prioritized nominees for solutions that address the plastic pollution crisis at the source by seeking ways to reduce plastic production and use, center environmental justice, and have the potential to scale in the next few years to make an even greater impact. We also chose solutions that work with broad networks or that have been in existence for at least a few years. Learn more about the nominees.

★ Hollywood is Ready to “Flip the Script on Plastics”
On February 27, 2022, some of the biggest stars in Hollywood gathered at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, where SAG President and Plastic Pollution Coalition notable member Fran Drescher announced the incredible goal to eliminate single-use plastic in the entertainment industry and the formation of SAG’s Green Council! Read more.

★ New & Improved Version of the Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard
Just six months after its initial release on August 19, 2021, a new and improved version of the Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard has been released. The tool helps consumers and buyers choose wisely by comparing the health and environmental impacts of a wide array of products used to serve, eat, and package food. The new version features a strengthened methodology and improved user experience and features over 70 additional foodware and food packaging products. Learn more here.

★ Sign on to Support a Bold and Binding Global Plastics Treaty
Nearly 1,000 organizations and one million individuals signed on to a call for the United Nations to negotiate a new legally binding global instrument that covers plastic pollution across its entire life cycle. Your signature still matters! Sign the petition, and please share!

★ Tell your representatives to support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act for the health and future of humans, animals, waterways, oceans, and the environment.

★ Tell Amazon: Stop Polluting Our Planet With Plastic Packaging!
Oceana’s recent report 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 and sign our petition to tell Amazon to stop polluting our planet with plastic packaging.

★ The American Climate Leadership Summit (ACLS 2022)
The 2022 American Climate Leadership Summit (ACLS 2022) provides an opportunity where your climate leadership can inspire more Americans to take action for the climate! This four-day, virtual event from March 28–31, will entail climate science, solutions, action, and activism. It will also feature the National Health + Climate and National Faith + Climate forums. As part of Plastic Pollution Coalition’s network, you have access to unlimited free registrations for the event! Redeem free registrations here with promo code ACLS22PPC.

★ April Webinar—The Power of Service: Moving from Anxiety to Action for the Planet
Every day we are faced with news of climate change, the global plastics crisis, depletion of the rainforest, and more. With so many imminent threats to our environment happening all at once, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But there’s hope! Join us on April 27 for a webinar focused on how to move from climate anxiety towards climate action. This discussion will be moderated by Heather White, the CEO & Co-Founder of One Green Thing, author of One Green Thing: Discover Your Hidden Power to Help Save the Planet, and Executive Advisory Board Member of Plastic Pollution Coalition. Panelists include: Maya Penn, Three-Time TED Speaker and CEO of Maya’s Ideas; and Dr. Britt Wray, Human and Planetary Health Fellow, Stanford University, and author of Generation Dread. Sign up.