Thousands of negotiators and observers representing most of the world’s nations are gathering in the Canadian city of Ottawa this week to craft a treaty to stop the rapidly escalating problem of plastic pollution.
Each day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. People are increasingly breathing, eating and drinking tiny plastic particles.
Negotiators must streamline the existing treaty draft and decide its scope: whether it will focus on human health and the environment, limit the actual production of plastic, restrict some chemicals used in plastics, or any combination of the above. These are elements that a self-named “high ambition coalition” of countries want to see.
Alternatively, the agreement could have a more limited scope and focus on plastic waste and greater recycling, as some of the plastic-producing and oil and gas exporters want.
Unai Emery agrees Aston Villa contract extension until 2027
Türkiye's opposition takes election lead in key cities
China's mega water diversion project benefits over 176 mln people
Chang'e 6 to carry foreign science payloads
Talling in love! Alison Hammond joins cohort of celebs couples with notable height differences
DPP obstruction to mainland products unpopular: Spokesperson
Cao Maoyuan: Chinese athlete shines as first gold medalist at Chengdu Universiade
5 Chinese nationals, 1 Pakistani killed in terrorist attack in NW Pakistan
PGA Tour has a team event in New Orleans. LIV Golf returns Down Under
China makes headway in building international commercial arbitration centers
GloRilla hits back at NBA star Damian Lillard's estranged wife who trolled her for DUI arrest
China to expedite patent application review process