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https://theconversation.com/the-global-plastics-treaty-process-has-fallen-flat-heres-what-went-wrong-and-how-you-can-help-263189>
"Progress towards a legally binding global treaty on plastics pollution stalled
and went into reverse this week. The United Nations Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, ran overtime. It’s likely
to conclude this evening, without agreement.
This is an incredibly disappointing result. As a member of the Scientists’
Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, I was hoping for action to
genuinely curb plastic pollution. Our priorities included considering the whole
life cycle rather than just disposal, setting targets to reduce plastic
production, and regulating the use of harmful additives to reduce risks to
human health.
Unfortunately, vested interests hijacked the negotiations. Countries with major
petrochemical producers resisted caps on virgin plastic production. We’ve seen
this before. Legitimate scientific concerns about harm have been downplayed by
powerful interests time and time again — with tobacco, PFAS, asbestos, and
climate change.
When it comes to plastics — especially the micro- and nanoplastics now invading
our bodies — awareness and early action could make all the difference. But we
can still take action into our own hands as consumers, to minimise exposure and
reduce waste. It we act together, we can also send a powerful message to the
plastics manufacturing industry."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
