Global advocates are pushing for a unified treaty to reduce plastic production, addressing the severe environmental and health impacts on frontline communities.
Khadija Ahmed reports for Yes! Magazine.
In short:
- The world's largest ethane steam cracker facility in Texas is heavily polluting local communities, causing significant health issues.
- Despite environmental concerns, plastic production continues to rise, with most nurdles exported to China for manufacturing.
- A global plastics treaty is in the works, but its success hinges on consensus, and some countries and industries resist major reductions in plastic production.
Key quote:
"The fact is, by the time that straw gets stuck in that turtle’s nose, it has left a wake of destruction in its path."
— Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, founder of Azul
Why this matters:
Plastics production and pollution disproportionately impact low-income and marginalized communities, leading to severe health and environmental consequences.
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