Three out of four people worldwide want to ban disposable plastics as soon as possible, according to a poll released today as UN member states prepare to begin talks on a global deal to to control the growing contamination from plastics.
The percentage of people asking for bans is over 71% from 2019, while the percentage of those who say they are in favor of products with less plastic wrap has increased to 82% from 75% according to the poll (IPSOS) conducted by the participation of more than 20.000 people in 28 countries.
Activists say the results send a clear message to governments meeting in Nairobi this month to push for an ambitious deal to control used plastic. This agreement is promoted as the most important environmental agreement, after the Paris Agreement on Climate Change signed in 2015.
"People around the world have clarified their views," said Marco Lambertini, director general of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF International). "The responsibility and opportunity is now in the hands of governments to adopt a global treaty on plastics… so that we can reduce plastic pollution."
About 90% of those polled said they supported the agreement, but it remains to be seen whether such an agreement will focus on the collection and recycling of used plastics or provide for more drastic measures, such as limiting the production and use of plastics. use.
Reuters revealed last week that the major oil and chemical industries are developing strategies to persuade conference participants to reject any deal that could reduce the production of plastic, which is an essential source of oil and gasoline. their revenue.
If the UN fails to reach an agreement on controlling plastic pollution, it will cause widespread ecological disaster in the coming decades, endangering the existence of certain marine species, but also destroying sensitive ecosystems, such as coral reefs. and mangrove trees, according to a WWF survey released this month.
It is likely that it will take at least two years to complete any agreement. However, whatever the agreed outcome of the Nairobi conference, which will take place from 28 February to 2 March, it will determine the important elements for any agreement.
The biggest support for the ban on disposable plastic in the poll came from countries such as Colombia, Mexico and India. These are developing countries on the brink of a waste management crisis.
The same poll showed that 85% of the participants worldwide, manufacturers and traders want to be responsible for the reduction, reuse, and recycling of plastic packaging by more than 80%.
Source: ΑΠΕ ΜΠΕ