microplastics & global plastic pollution
Credit: Felton Davis/Flickr

Planet versus plastics: the global battle for a cleaner future

Microplastics are pervasive, from Mount Everest to the Marianas Trench, affecting our air, water and health. How should the world respond to the ever-growing impacts of plastic pollution?

Erika Page reports for The Christian Science Monitor.


In short:

  • Over 400 million metric tons of plastic are produced annually, with only about 5% recycled in the U.S., contributing significantly to pollution and climate change.
  • Leaders are currently meeting in Ottawa to design a treaty aimed at combating plastic pollution, reflecting the global push for international cooperation.
  • Innovative solutions like bioplastics and traditional materials are being considered to replace harmful plastics, promoting a circular economy.

Key quote:

“There are so many things that we can disagree on. But on this one, we all agree … There is no plastic that should be in nature.”

— Erin Simon, vice president of plastic waste and business at the World Wildlife Fund

Why this matters:

The push for a global treaty and the development of sustainable alternatives indicate a critical shift towards reducing plastic waste and its associated risks. Read more: Everything you need to know for the fourth round of global plastic pollution treaty talks.

piece of official election mail

Climate-focused voters could impact key states in presidential election

With climate-conscious voters already turning out in higher numbers than in 2020, grassroots groups are intensifying efforts to mobilize these voters in crucial swing states.

Sachi Kitajima Mulkey and Kate Yoder report for Grist.

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Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
cars parked in front of a NOAA building
Photo by Rusty Watson on Unsplash

Heritage Foundation proposal to dissolve NOAA raises wildfire and agricultural risks, experts say

A conservative proposal to dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) could disrupt wildfire responses, agriculture and water management in the U.S., leaving communities vulnerable to climate threats, according to industry experts.

Jake Bolster reports for Inside Climate News.

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COP16 Columbia biodiversity
Credit: UN Biodiversity/Flickr

Indigenous voices at the table in global conservation decisions

After two weeks of intense negotiation, the U.N. biodiversity summit in Cali reached a historic decision, establishing a new body to include Indigenous groups in decisions on nature conservation.

Steven Grattan reports for the Associated Press.

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people clearing driveway flooding with buckets

Spain faces deadly flooding disaster as Mediterranean storms intensify

Torrential rains in Spain have caused the deadliest flooding in decades, killing at least 205 people, with entire villages swept away by rising waters and severe storms.

Ashifa Kassam and Faisal Ali report for The Guardian.

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Azerbaijan flag flying in the wind on top of a flag pole
Photo by Leyla M on Unsplash

Azerbaijan faces scrutiny over repression while preparing for COP29 summit

As Azerbaijan readies to host a global climate summit in Baku this month, its government faces criticism for jailing activists and journalists, sparking global human rights concerns.

Anton Troianovski reports for The New York Times.

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aerial view of a massive crisscrossing highway

Beijing declines to announce ambitious climate goals ahead of key summit

China is pushing back against calls from the U.S. and other nations to set stronger emissions targets and increase aid for climate impacts ahead of the U.N. Climate Change Conference.

Christian Shepherd and Maxine Joselow report for The Washington Post.

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animated image of waves crashing and wind blowing

Climate resilience funds face delays in Biden’s infrastructure initiative

Despite President Biden’s approval of $33.6 billion for climate resilience projects, most of the funding remains unspent, hindering efforts to protect U.S. communities from intensifying climate disasters.

Zack Colman and Jessie Blaeser report for POLITICO.

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Environmental justice communities near fracking want more answers — less political football.

U.S. Steel Pennsylvania pollution

Coal-based steelmaking in Pennsylvania causes up to 92 premature deaths and $1.4 billion in health costs every year: Report

Just three facilities near Pittsburgh cost the state $16 million in lost economic activity annually, according to a new report.

COP16 UN biodiversity

Pollution is one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss. Why is no one talking about it at COP16?

“Chemicals are really at the center of this triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity and climate change.”

COP16 UN biodiversity

La contaminación es una de las principales amenazas de la biodiversidad. ¿Por qué nadie habla de ella en la COP16?

“Las sustancias químicas están realmente en el centro de esta triple crisis planetaria de contaminación, biodiversidad y cambio climático”.

clean energy transition

Op-ed: Labor and environmental groups can both win in the clean energy transition. Here’s how.

Groups are choosing to repair broken lines of communication and visualize the transition for its true potential to mitigate climate change – the common enemy.

environmental defenders

‘Living under this constant threat’: Environmental defenders face a mounting mental health crisis

Environmental activists are struggling with paranoia, panic attacks, and depression. Now, a growing network of mental health shelters in South America hopes to fill a void in care.

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