Global plastic treaty limits production

LAYNEE

The UN environment program, an organization that finds answers to environmental issues, takes a step to influence the end of plastic pollution world-wide by issuing the plastic treaty.

Since December 2022, representation from each nation and other associating groups came together, the creation of the plastic treaty -a international, legally binding, agreement to limit plastic production- began, according to “First proposals put forward for the global treaty to end plastic pollution,” published by Food Packaging Forum.

Much controversy over legal ties to the treaty came through the nations, as the article reads, “The countries that believe ‘goals and efforts should be global and mandatory’ and those that believe it should be ‘voluntary and country-led.’”

Paige Arnold, WHS Social Studies Dept. member, notes that similar to the plastic treaty, in history, nations have come together to solve environmental issues. “There have definitely been examples in history of countries coming together to help the environment. The Kyoto Protocol, from the 1990s, is one example. Many countries agreed to help try to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. The US Senate refused to ratify the agreement and eventually the U.S. rejected the treaty outright, “ Arnold said. According to Arnold, the Kyoto Protocol eventually failed as only small up and coming nations had agreed to it.

The plastic treaty has become influential due to the big endorsement from the United States, according to Food Packaging Forum.

Earth Day is on April 22 which is a great time to start teaching kids about the Earth in a fun and creative way with these activities.

You can watch and learn about many different birds by attracting them to your house with a homemade cardboard bird feeder. All you have to do is grab an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll and cover it with peanut butter. Then, roll the cardboard in seeds or bird food mix. Next, hang it up to a tree and watch the birds.

Reusable tote bags help the environment by eliminating the use of plastic bags when shopping. It also makes a cute accessory for kids and the kids can customize them however they want. All you need is a blank canvas tote bag and fabric markers which you can get from stores like Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Michaels and more.

Last February, the United States proposed the information about the treaty to the UN environmental program. The Food Packaging Forum describes, “The U.S. proposal focuses on the downstream management of plastics – recycling and reuse, along with redesigning products to use less or use easier to manage plastics.”

“My prediction is that whatever environmentally-based concessions the US agrees to will be satisfactory to some nations but not quite radical enough in the eyes of other nations that have historically been more aggressive than the US in their attempt to fight climate change,” Arnold said.