GOBI Coordinator David Johnson is asking United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to consider phasing out single-use plastics at the United Nations. Throughout the UN Ocean Conference (5-9 June 2017, New York), David has been asking participants to sign a letter of support that will be sent to the Secretary-General on Thursday 8 June 2017.
As part of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development), all countries and stakeholders aim to ‘prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities’ by 2025 (Target 14.1). It is hoped that the UN will lead by example and adopt alternatives to single-use plastics within their facilities.
275 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated every year around the world, but only 5% of this is recycled. It is estimated that about 8 million tonnes of plastic debris is washed into our oceans each year, and 90% of seabirds worldwide are thought to have ingested plastic. Plastic waste is now found in all areas of the ocean, and presents a significant threat to marine ecosystems.
For more information on the Sustainable Development Goals please visit: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs