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  • 6 months ago
Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development Kennedy Swaratsingh says, the issue of plastic pollution has reached a critical point where action must be taken.


He is making the statement on World Environment Day, which is also at a time where the Environmental Management Authority is celebrating 30 years.


Alicia Boucher has the details.
Transcript
00:00Global emissions from the manufacturing of plastics could move from 3.3% to as much as 19% in the next 15 years,
00:08while plastic pollution is forecast to triple by 2060.
00:13The United Nations reports that between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic waste enter water courses annually,
00:21and by 2040, this could reach 600 million tons.
00:24This year, World Environmental Day is being celebrated globally under the theme Ending Plastic Pollution.
00:32Planning, Economic Affairs and Development Minister Kennedy Swaratsing says it is a crisis which requires attention,
00:39along with climate change and biodiversity loss.
00:42He says this country continues to be a part of the global negotiations and advocacy
00:47under the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a legally binding framework to address plastic pollution.
00:54But when it comes to plastic pollution locally, the minister states that the situation is compounded
01:00due to insufficient waste management systems, leading to degradation of ecosystems
01:05and threatening wildlife and natural habitats.
01:09Swaratsing says, quote,
01:11We must confront plastic pollution with urgency and unity.
01:16Addressing plastic pollution requires systemic changes throughout the entire plastic life cycle.
01:21Designing outwaste, reducing virgin plastic production, promoting sustainable alternatives,
01:28and fostering reuse, recycle, and responsible disposal.
01:32End quote.
01:33The minister also notes that the Environmental Management Authority,
01:36which came into operation on June 5, 1995, is celebrating 30 years.
01:41He outlines the extensive work it has undertaken in areas such as recycling
01:45and managing hazardous and non-hazardous waste, including through regulatory frameworks
01:51like the waste management rules and the waste management fees.
01:56Program manager at the EMA Project Management Unit, Annalisa Allen-Benjamin,
02:01outlined some of the future plans for the institution.
02:04So we do have a national environmental literacy survey coming up
02:08as we look to see what are the threats to the environment that we need to face with.
02:13We're improving our air quality network and greenhouse gas reporting,
02:17which is an important part of our climate change management,
02:21because you can't manage your climate change if you don't measure what we are doing.
02:26What is the state of the environment? It is critical.
02:29She explains that the waste management rules are there to mitigate plastic pollution.
02:34These are active now since 2022,
02:37which looks at the industrial and commercial sector
02:40to drive and minimize waste in their activities.
02:45In our homes, we are looking and supporting
02:47the government's plan to build sustainable waste management.
02:53Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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