More than 90 countries have renewed calls for a binding international treaty to reduce plastic production and eliminate harmful chemicals, setting the stage for contentious negotiations this August.
In short:
- Ministers from 95 nations issued a joint declaration at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, calling for a treaty that includes production caps and bans on hazardous substances in plastics.
- Countries remain divided, with high-ambition nations pushing for upstream limits, while petrochemical-producing states argue for focusing solely on recycling and waste management.
- Plastic production has doubled since 2000 and is projected to triple by 2060, yet only 9% is recycled, with massive volumes entering the world’s waterways daily.
Key quote:
"This declaration sends a clear and strong message: We will not give up."
— Agnes Pannier-Runacher, France’s environment minister
Why this matters:
Plastic pollution is a chemical and ecological threat woven into modern life. With production tied to fossil fuels, plastic is now a major driver of both pollution and climate change. Chemicals leaching from plastic can disrupt hormones and have been linked to cancer and developmental harm, especially in children. Microplastics have been found in human organs, breast milk, and blood, raising questions about long-term health impacts. Meanwhile, ocean ecosystems are choking on plastic waste. Global coordination to limit production is a crucial step if nations hope to halt the spread of plastic at its source rather than trying to clean up an ever-growing mess. Without action, the forecasted tripling of plastic production could outpace any recycling gains and deepen environmental and health risks worldwide.
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