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Tensions rise as US stance on plastic treaty draws criticism
Recent U.N. talks in Ottawa reveal significant resistance by major oil producers, including the U.S., to stringent global plastic production caps.
In short:
- The U.N. negotiations aim to finalize a global treaty to end plastic pollution by year-end, but disagreements persist.
- Environmental groups criticize the U.S. for insufficiently addressing plastic production, rather than just consumption.
- U.N. officials express optimism, highlighting progress on treaty drafts and upcoming intersessional work before the next meeting.
Key quote:
"We leave Ottawa having achieved both goals and a clear path to landing an ambitious deal in Busan ahead of us. The work, however, is far from over."
— Inger Andersen, executive director of the U.N. Environment Program
Why this matters:
Plastic has become a symbol of environmental crises. It is estimated that millions of tons of plastic waste end up in the oceans annually, harming marine life and entering the human food chain through seafood consumption. The health implications are increasingly concerning, as studies suggest that microplastics might impact human health through unknown pathways.
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Credit: Antoine GIRET/Unsplash
Half of the world's plastic pollution can be traced back to 56 companies
New research shows a few multinational companies, including Philip Morris International and Coca-Cola, are major contributors to global plastic pollution, a study finds.
In short:
- Researchers identified 56 major companies responsible for half of all plastic waste, with six companies –Altria, Philip Morris International, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Danone and PepsiCo– producing a quarter of that.
- Over five years, the team collected 1,870,000 items of plastic waste across 84 countries.
- Companies are making efforts to increase recyclability and reduce virgin plastic use.
- Despite corporate initiatives, plastic production and pollution have risen in lockstep, challenging the effectiveness of current recycling efforts.
Key quote:
"The industry likes to put the responsibility on the individual (...) But it’s the brands, it’s their choice for the kinds of packaging [they use] and for embracing this throwaway model of delivering their goods. That’s what’s causing the greatest abundance of trash."
— Marcus Eriksen, plastic pollution expert from The 5 Gyres Institute and co-author of the study.
Why this matters:
Identifying major contributors to plastic pollution allows for greater accountability. Public awareness can lead to pressure on these companies to implement sustainable practices, invest in research and development of alternative materials, and take corporate social responsibility seriously.
Plastics manufacturing is currently one of the largest industries in the U.S.
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Pixabay
Fossil fuel interests influence global plastic pollution treaty
Major oil companies and key oil-producing nations are influencing U.N. discussions on tackling plastic pollution, promoting recycling over production cuts.
In short:
- Oil giants like ExxonMobil seek to guide U.N. plastic treaty talks toward maintaining plastic production rather than curbing it.
- Industry and nations with oil interests push recycling as the solution.
- Calls for cutting plastic production are being overshadowed.
Key quote:
"The worst-case scenario is that some of the oil- and gas-producing countries would say, 'This is so [diametrically opposed] to our interests, we will drop out.'"
— Carsten Wachholz, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Why this matters:
The involvement of fossil fuel groups in shaping the treaty could significantly impact global health and environmental policies. Industry is pushing for inclusion chemical recycling as a solution to the plastics crisis, but a recent report found the process is polluting, energy-intensive and inefficient.
Question for the reader:
How do you think the involvement of fossil fuel industries will affect the outcome of the plastic pollution treaty?
AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight and editing.
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Tensions rise in the Rio Grande basin as Mexico lags in water deliveries to the U.S.
In 2020, rebellious Mexican farmers occupied a dam in parched Chihuahua state to prevent the federal government from sending its reservoir water to Texas under a 1944 treaty. With the clock ticking toward another treaty deadline, the two sides are struggling for a solution.
Photo by Mike Newbry on Unsplash
Supreme Court rules against Navajo Nation in Colorado River case
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a 1868 treaty did not require the country to take “affirmative steps” to secure water for the tribe.
Photo by ALEXANDRE LALLEMAND on Unsplash
Europe's green transition to persistently boost inflation, ECB's Schnabel says
Europe’s effort to wean its economy off Russian gas is likely to be a persistent boost to inflation even beyond the current spike, European Central Bank board member Isabel Schnabel says.
Photo by Chris LeBoutillier on Unsplash
U.S. EPA head Regan presses on cutting pollution from power plants
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan said on Thursday that the Biden Administration will continue to press to cut pollution from power plants, which he noted were “the largest stationary sources of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide.”
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