With every passing year, the Earth’s ticking environmental clock becomes more ominous. World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5th, serves as a potent reminder of the pressing issues our planet is grappling with. This year, the day takes on an even more significant meaning for the Philippines-based EcoWaste Coalition as they rally behind the theme #BeatPlasticPollution to combat the worsening plastic pollution crisis.
As an internationally recognized non-governmental group, EcoWaste has tirelessly called for urgent legislation, robust government action, and a transformative change in people’s lifestyles. All this in a bid to confront the severe threats plastic waste poses to Earth and its inhabitants.
“Every year on June 5th, World Environment Day serves as a reminder of the pressing environmental issues faced by the global community. This year, the theme “#BeatPlasticPollution” emphasizes the need for urgent action to address the escalating crisis of plastic pollution and find sustainable solutions,” the EcoWaste Coalition shared in a statement posted on Facebook.
The EcoWaste Coalition’s call is not merely a cry for awareness, but an ambitious rallying cry for worldwide action—a global plastics treaty. This groundbreaking treaty proposes a cap on plastic production, a significant reduction in plastic usage, and the elimination of harmful single-use plastics.
“Individual efforts alone are not sufficient to effectively tackle plastic pollution. We must implement comprehensive solutions on a global scale. One crucial step towards achieving this is the establishment of a global plastics treaty,” the Coalition affirmed.
In a critical negotiation meeting for the global treaty that concluded on June 2, 2023, the EcoWaste Coalition demonstrated its commitment to the cause by pushing for a strong, binding agreement. The proposed treaty includes controls that are necessary to mitigate the diverse threats posed by plastics. These include reducing plastic production, phasing out toxic chemical additives in plastics, banning the recycling of plastics with hazardous chemicals, promoting sustainable materials for a non-toxic circular society, and advancing Zero Waste strategies and non-incineration solutions.
“It is essential for the global plastics treaty to catalyze systems change rather than perpetuate broken systems. We need a transformative agreement that drives innovation, promotes sustainable practices, and supports the development of circular economies,” the Coalition expressed.
The EcoWaste Coalition’s mission extends beyond the annual World Environment Day. They are dedicated to building a future for the Philippines—and indeed, the world—free from plastic waste and harmful toxins. This commitment is demonstrated in their persistent work to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and engage with stakeholders to promote sustainable alternatives and responsible waste management practices.
The countdown to a sustainable future has begun, and every tick of the clock is a call to action. World Environment Day 2023 might be a reminder of our planet’s fragility, but with organizations like the EcoWaste Coalition at the helm, it is also a beacon of hope. With a global treaty, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution and ensure a safer, cleaner world for future generations.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE:
The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) reported that the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-2), concluded on June 2 in Paris, France with a mandate for the INC Chair, with the support of the Secretariat, to prepare a zero draft of the agreement ahead of the next session, due to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, in November. This year marks the 50th annual World Environment Day led by UNEP and held annually on June 5 since 1973. The day is observed as the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. In 2023, it is hosted by Côte D’Ivoire.
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