The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) leads World Environment Day, engaging a vast global audience across more than 150 countries .
The theme for 5th june 2025 is “Ending Plastic Pollution” . Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue with far-reaching consequences.
Key Facts About Plastic Pollution :
- The world produces around 430 million tons of plastic each year, and two-thirds of that is used for a short period . Only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled .
- Every day, the equivalent of over 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into our oceans, rivers, and lakes . Over 11 million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean each year .
- Plastic makes up 85% of marine litter . 73% of beach litter worldwide is plastic .
- The average person eats 70,000 microplastics each year .
- If no action is taken, plastic pollution is set to triple by 2060 . There could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 .Plastic remnants have been found in the digestive systems of many marine species, including all marine turtle species and nearly half of surveyed seabird and marine mammal species .
- The United States is considered one of the world’s biggest contributors to plastic pollution .
- Plastics are the largest, most harmful, and most persistent fraction of marine litter .
Reduction method :
- The best way to prevent plastic pollution is to reduce the amount of unnecessary plastic being produced in the first place .
- UN Environment Program suggests market shifts towards reuse, recycle, and reorient/diversify, which could result in an 80% decrease in plastic pollution .
- The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee is working to establish an international legally binding instrument focused on plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments, aiming to finalize negotiations by the end of 2024 .
Plastic pollution is a multifaceted problem with environmental, health, economic, and social impacts . Addressing this crisis requires a combination of individual actions, corporate responsibility, and government regulations to reduce plastic production, improve waste management, and promote sustainable alternatives. for Environment news click www.eminentnews.com
