Leading Scientists Call for Urgent Global Action on Plastic Pollution

More than 60 leading scientists from around the world have come together to issue a stark warning to governments worldwide. They are calling for ambitious and enforceable action to tackle the escalating crisis of plastic pollution. This urgent plea comes as the final round of United Nations negotiations on a global plastics treaty draws near.

Their call to action was published in the prestigious Cambridge University Press journal Cambridge Prisms: Plastics. The scientists stress that the plastic crisis has now become one of the most pressing environmental, health, and social justice issues of our time.

The Stakes at INC-5.2

The upcoming session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) is pivotal. It presents the world with a crucial opportunity to secure a binding agreement that addresses plastic pollution at every stage of its lifecycle. The scientists have provided a comprehensive evidence-based roadmap to guide treaty negotiators.

Professor Steve Fletcher, editor-in-chief of Cambridge Prisms: Plastics and director of the Revolution Plastics Institute, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This treaty is a test of whether the world is ready to govern plastics in a manner that truly reflects the scale and urgency of the crisis.”

Key Demands

The scientists are calling for legally binding targets to cap and reduce plastic production, phasing out toxic additives and chemicals in plastics, and implementing global health safeguards to protect human health. They are advocating for the inclusion of affected communities, especially Indigenous Peoples, informal waste workers, and pollution hotspots, in the design and implementation of the treaty.

Dr Cressida Bowyer, deputy director of the Revolution Plastics Institute, stressed the need to address human health impacts directly within the core obligations of the treaty. She warned that the current draft falls short of adequately protecting human health from the dangers of plastic pollution.

A Call for Inclusive Governance

Professor Max Liboiron highlighted the exclusion of Indigenous Peoples from decision-making roles in the treaty negotiations. He emphasized the importance of incorporating Indigenous knowledge in a manner that upholds their rights and ensures their active participation in shaping governance structures.

Professor Tony Walker underscored the role of subsidies and pricing mechanisms in perpetuating the linear plastic economy. He advocated for a transition towards a circular economy that focuses on reducing plastic consumption, phasing out single-use plastics, and promoting a regenerative approach to plastic production.

Trade and Transformation

Trade, a vital component of the plastics economy, must be reimagined as a tool for transformation, according to Professor Maria Ivanova. She emphasized the need for negotiators to address the real-world architecture of the plastics economy, where trade serves as the connective tissue.

The scientists are also calling for independent scientific oversight free from corporate influence, robust financing and compliance mechanisms, and meaningful involvement of those most affected by plastic pollution in treaty negotiations.

Final Thoughts

The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. The mounting evidence of the health risks posed by plastic pollution demands immediate and decisive action. The scientists urge governments to act boldly and decisively during the upcoming treaty talks in August.

This article is based on a press release from the University of Portsmouth and written by Brendan Montague, editor of The Ecologist.