The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says plastic pollution is choking the planet – harming ecosystems, well-being, and the climate.
In his speech to mark this year’s World Environment Day, Guterres said plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife.
He stressed the need for everyone to focus on solutions to beat plastic pollution.
According to Guterres plastic ‘‘ breaks-down into smaller and smaller parts, it infiltrates every corner of Earth: from the top of Mount Everest, to the depths of the ocean; from human brains; to human breastmilk”.
He said that this was in spite of the existence of a movement for urgent change.
Reducing Single Use Plastic Pollution
The Secretary General, said “We are seeing mounting public engagement, steps towards reusability and greater accountability and policies to reduce single-use , steps towards reusability and greater accountability and policies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste management.”
“But we must go further, faster”. He said
Stating that in two months, countries will come together to hammer-out a new global treaty to end plastic pollution, he said that the world needs an ambitious, credible and just agreement this year.
He said that the agreement should be one that covers the life-cycle of plastic, through the perspective of circular economies that responds to the needs of communities.
The UN Chief said it should also align with broader environmental goals, the sustainable development goals, and beyond, and implemented fast and in full.
He called on negotiators to return to talks in August determined to build a common path through their differences and deliver the treaty our world needs.
“Together, let’s end the scourge of plastic pollution and build a better future for us all” Guterres said.
