A study by the medical journal The Lancet shows that since 1950, plastic production has increased 200-fold, reaching 460 million tons per year today, and is predicted to reach 1 billion tons per year by 2060.
This has led to a global emergency: more than 8 billion tons of plastic are now in the environment – from Everest to the bottom of the oceans. Only 10% of it is recycled.
The health cost of plastic pollution has been estimated at $1.5 trillion per year, and the most affected are children and newborns, who are at risk of lung problems, infertility, birth defects and even tumors.
Microplastics are the most dangerous because they enter the body through food, water and air – and have been detected in the blood, brain, placenta and bones.
The decisive meeting in Geneva
The final phase of UN negotiations on a global treaty to combat plastic pollution begins in Geneva tomorrow. More than 170 delegations will try to reach an agreement by August 14, but a blockade by oil-producing countries has hampered progress so far.
According to UN experts and Greenpeace, plastic production must be reduced by 75% by 2040, because recycling is not enough. Over 98% of plastic is produced from oil, gas and coal, releasing 2 billion tons of CO2 per year – more than the entire country of Russia.
Scientists' appeal: Act now
American pediatrician Philip Landrigan, author of The Lancet study, warns:
"Plastic is harming children and generating incalculable costs to society. We must act immediately."
