In a high-stakes move to combat plastic pollution, world leaders are gearing up for historic negotiations in Geneva this summer to finalize a binding global treaty. With 9 out of 10 people worldwide demanding action , the pressure is on to turn public sentiment into policy.
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who grew up in a pre-plastic-dominated era, warns that without urgent action, plastic waste could triple to 1.2 billion metric tons annually by 2060. 'My grandchildren still see nature untouched by plastic,' he writes. 'Their children might not.'
The stakes? Microplastics now invade our bodies —found in lungs, brains, and even breast milk—while ecosystems from Arctic ice to tropical islands drown in waste. Yet solutions exist: businesses, scientists, and activists are pushing for circular economies and tech innovations to slash plastic use.
This year’s #WorldEnvironmentDay (June 5) is rallying global voices to demand action. 'No government can ignore millions calling for change,' Ban emphasizes. The treaty’s success hinges on bridging divides between economies, cultures, and industries—but with your voice, he says, 'we can avoid a plastic apocalypse.'
Will 2024 mark the year humanity finally turns the tide? The world is watching.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com