We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Experts Urge Human Rights Focus in International Treaty on Plastic Pollution
FREE Catholic Classes
As negotiations continue for the first international legally-binding treaty on plastic pollution, two experts working with the United Nations (UN) have called on member states and stakeholders to prioritize human rights in the treaty. David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the Environment, and Marcos Orellana, Special Rapporteur on Toxics and human rights, made the plea ahead of World Environment Day on June 5th.
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Plastic pollution continues to increase, creating a threat to human life.
Highlights
6/2/2023 (11 months ago)
Published in Green
Keywords: Plastic, Vatican, United Nations, pollution
Highlighting the exponential increase in plastic production and the resulting 400 million tons of plastic waste generated annually, the experts described plastic pollution as an overwhelming toxic threat that impacts human rights throughout its life cycle. In a joint statement, they emphasized the dangerous nature of plastics, which release hazardous substances during production and contain toxic chemicals that pose serious risks to human health, human rights, and the environment. Furthermore, plastics persist in the environment, with 85% of single-use plastics ending up in landfills or being dumped.
The experts cautioned against false and misleading solutions such as incineration or recycling, which only exacerbate the problem. Reports from the United Nations Environment Programme and Greenpeace underscored the limited success of recycling efforts, with only 9% of all plastics produced being recycled. They suggested that the only effective way to address the plastic pollution issue is to slow down and eventually cap plastic production, as recycling can still be harmful.
The experts also expressed concern for marginalized communities that bear a disproportionate burden of plastic pollution and waste. They pointed out that these communities, often living in "sacrifice zones" near polluting industries, experience higher rates of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
Calling for a human rights-based approach to combat plastic pollution, the experts welcomed the progress made by member states towards an internationally binding instrument on plastic pollution. They emphasized the need to prioritize reduction in plastic production and use, detoxification, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
As the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for Plastics continues its meetings in Paris, aiming to develop a comprehensive treaty, the experts stressed the urgency of employing a human rights perspective to address the plastic pollution crisis. They urged completion of the treaty by the end of 2024.
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Chaplain Reveals Unrest at Columbia University Caused by Communists
-
Discovering Who We Are: God's Truth in Scripture
-
Pope Francis Advises Parish Priests on Fostering a Missionary Church
-
5 Reasons Going To Church Is Important (even on days you feel like you can skip)
-
U.S. Catholic Parishes Experience Resurgence of Traditional Practices
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Saturday, May 04, 2024
- St. Florian: Saint of the Day for Saturday, May 04, 2024
- The Universal Prayer (attributed to Pope Clement Xi): Prayer of the Day for Saturday, May 04, 2024
- Daily Readings for Friday, May 03, 2024
- St. James the Lesser: Saint of the Day for Friday, May 03, 2024
- Prayer before Starting on a Journey: Prayer of the Day for Friday, May 03, 2024
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.