Plastic, a small revolution of the 20th century, is it on the way to becoming persona non grata? In March 2022, world leaders began negotiations to secure the world’s first international treaty to eliminate plastic pollution. This Monday, a second round of negotiations must take place at UNESCO, in Paris, between 175 countries. For Christophe Béchu, Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, guest of franceinfothis Saturday, “it is urgent to mobilize”.
” If we do nothing, in 2060 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans”warned Christophe Béchu, alerting to the threat to the “biodiversity”, ” the environment “ And ” health “. “Today, plastic can be found everywhere, even at the top of the Pyreneesexplained the minister at the microphone of franceinfo, Heavy plastics transformed into microparticles end up being carried by the winds and are ventilated all over the planet. »
” 2040, end of plastic pollution »
To raise the bar, Christophe Béchu insisted on the importance of “reduce our dependence on plastic”. The opportunity to recall that France has become the first country in the world to ban disposable tableware in fast food, since January 1, 2023.
One of the main issues of this interstate meeting is “to try to convince countries like China, United States », which are among the countries that produce the most plastic, to take binding measures, according to the minister. Another possibility is to create a “Plastic IPCC”with reference to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This institution, created in 1988, is responsible for assessing the magnitude, causes and consequences of ongoing climate change. Finally, the Minister hopes for the establishment of deadlines: “The challenge is to agree on a timetable, which records, in 2040, the end of plastic pollution. The treaty must be binding, endowed with resources and an expert body. »
