Thousands of negotiators and observers representing most of the world’s nations are gathering in the Canadian city of Ottawa this week to craft a treaty to stop the rapidly escalating problem of plastic pollution. Each day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. People are increasingly breathing, eating and drinking tiny plastic particles. Negotiators must streamline the existing treaty draft and decide its scope: whether it will focus on human health and the environment, limit the actual production of plastic, restrict some chemicals used in plastics, or any combination of the above. These are elements that a self-named “high ambition coalition” of countries want to see. Alternatively, the agreement could have a more limited scope and focus on plastic waste and greater recycling, as some of the plastic-producing and oil and gas exporters want. |
Workers at Mercedes factories near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to vote in May on United Auto Workers unionCoalition to submit 900,000 signatures to put toughJ.K. Dobbins signs with Chargers, continuing the trend of former Ravens heading to LARap artist GloRilla has been charged with drunken driving in GeorgiaWomen share the infuriating behaviour that made them start to rethink their relationshipsJets might have a tough call to make between a playmaker or protection at No. 10 in the NFL draftEU proposes youth mobility agreement with UK to help youngsters travel, work and live in both areas250,000 Afghan children need education, food and homes after returning from Pakistan, says NGOCaitlin Clark and Angel Reese are OVERPAID at $75kAn earthquake measuring 5.6 hits central Turkey. No immediate reports of casualties or damage