POLLUTION is one of the three interrelated planetary crises we face, along with biodiversity loss and climate instability, due to unsustainable production and consumption. We must shine a light on the negative impact of marine litter and plastic pollution on human and planetary health.
Each and every one of us has a unique opportunity to join the global action and adopt the necessary policies to beat plastic pollution.
Modelling indicates that current government and industry commitments will only have reduced marine plastic litter by 7 percent in 2040 compared to business as usual. Globally, national plastics policies are rare and tend to focus on banning or taxing individual plastic items rather than focusing on systemic change of the plastics economy. The current policy mix will not deliver the changes needed to reduce additional marine plastic litter to zero.
Governments have pledged to reduce or eradicate single-use plastics from their societies through stronger legislation and regulation. Others have committed to invest more in national recycling facilities and promote action plans to prevent harm to the coastal and marine environment.
Of the 11 million tonnes of plastic entering the ocean, about 80 per cent comes from land-based sources and works its way to the sea through our lakes, rivers, and other waterways. A thousand rivers are accountable for nearly 80 per cent of the global annual riverine plastic emissions. Yet, this is often overlooked.
Let’s engage governments at the source to raise awareness and to strengthen legislation to encourage better business and disposal practices. Ultimately, this is an issue that affects the health of our planet, our societies, and our livelihoods.
Governments need to play their part in securing their citizens’ right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, much of which can happen through encouraging and rewarding private sector innovation.
Key waterbodies found in upstream countries such as rivers and lakes represent some of the main pathways for the flow of plastics and litter to our coasts and oceans. Hence, the need to get their governments on board in our efforts to prevent such flow.
Let’s put a stop to the 11 million tonnes of plastic discharged into the ocean every year.
To deliver the necessary changes for the plastics economy, the G20 should accelerate its work on marine plastic litter as a priority. Now is not the time to lose focus. Action now will prevent the need to do more later.
Greater coordination of marine plastic litter reduction policies is urgently needed. Instead of isolated actions and bans, coordinated reform of regulatory frameworks, business models, and funding mechanisms, such as establishment of a platform to coordinate and share of analysis of existing successful techniques, is needed.
Jacob Kumenda is a consumer rights advocate at the Consumer Grassroots Association in Nairobi, Kenya