Scientists, NGOs just like the Plastic Soup Basis and insurers unite behind calls for for a powerful UN Treaty throughout last negotiations.
New analysis finds that monetary valuation fashions fail to acknowledge the true threat of plastic air pollution
Main well being scientist warns in new movie that inaction on plastic air pollution is “a political selection”
AMSTERDAM, Nov. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Plastic Soup Basis, A Plastic Planet, Earth Motion, Greenpeace and BreakFreeFromPlastic joined the Plastic Soup Basis at INC 5 in Busan to name for a powerful treaty to scale back the manufacturing of plastic to guard future generations from the influence of plastic and endocrine disrupting chemical compounds (EDCs) getting into the human physique.
LEADING SCIENTISTS and activists have in the present day warned governments that ignoring the influence of plastic on human well being is “wishful considering” within the last spherical of negotiations for a UN International Plastics Treaty.
The occasion marked the premiere of 'Scientists Converse Out', a movie produced by the Plastic Soup Basis. The documentary interviews main well being scientist Professor Thais Mauad of the College of Sao Paulo, who found the presence of plastic within the mind on the planet's first discovery this 12 months.
Professor Thais Mauad states“If you happen to don't assume plastic will have an effect on you, it's a lie. Microplastics in our physique have an effect on the DNA construction of cells, damaging our well being. I’m afraid of plastic as a result of its manufacturing is growing and our well being shall be more and more uncovered to those antagonistic penalties.“
“The obligation of a authorities is to guard its individuals. When a authorities permits the plastics business to make use of poisonous plastic components, tThe federal government is supporting the event of a illness and never defending the inhabitants.. As a substitute, it protects the earnings of the fossil gas business.“
“Those that have the flexibility to attain actual change are policymakers, and that motion is a political selection. We don't should lose this battle.”
Coinciding with the occasion, Earth Motion has printed new analysis which gives steerage to monetary establishments on the way to combine the monetary dangers related to plastic into company valuations.
In accordance with Earth Motion analysis, present monetary valuation fashions don’t absolutely seize such plastic air pollution dangers, highlighting the necessity for higher company disclosure of plastic use and the chance for the UN treaty to offer readability to monetary establishments in regards to the potential company threat derived from the usage of plastic.
A pilot research produced in collaboration with insurance coverage supplier asr and Dutch NGO Plastic Soup Basis assessed plastic air pollution and well being dangers related to the actions of a choose group of firms in asr's funding portfolio. asr evaluated the direct and oblique impacts of plastic air pollution on well being.
The pilot findings counsel that a plastic footprint rating ought to be used to information sustainable funding choices that acknowledge the fabric's influence on well being.
Rosanne de Boer, asr company spokesperson, stated:“We’re happy to collaborate with the Plastic Soup Basis and Earth Motion on this analysis. At asr we acknowledge the significance of understanding and recognizing the actual dangers of plastic air pollution, not just for our well being and that of our planet but in addition for the monetary stability of firms.
This analysis highlights the necessity for higher transparency and clear tips in order that we will collectively work in the direction of a future the place plastic air pollution is lowered and future generations are protected. We subsequently help the decision for a powerful UN treaty that pursues these objectives.“
The plastic footprint methodology, developed by the Plastic Footprint Community, refers back to the means of evaluating the impact that plastic generated by a person, group, neighborhood or nation has on the atmosphere. The evaluation methodology is much like the Greenhouse Fuel Protocol, which gives essentially the most extensively used greenhouse gasoline accounting requirements on the planet by organizations, governments and NGOs.
In accordance with the analysis, a plastic footprint measurement that features well being influence metrics would permit traders to guage high-risk firms to find out their particular dedication to decreasing plastic and advocate for higher company transparency in reporting on plastic. the plastic footprint.
Greater than 500 million metric tons of plastic are produced every year to be used in all kinds of purposes. Scientists have compiled a listing of greater than 16,000 chemical compounds current in plastic merchandise and located that greater than four,000 of them have been harmful to human well being and the atmosphere.
A wide range of well being issues are linked to plastic chemical compounds, together with weight problems, fertility issues, elevated threat of autism and most cancers. In the US alone, the annual financial and well being prices resulting from chemical components included in plastic exceed $250 billion.
On condition that continued use of plastic will pose a $100 billion annual monetary threat to firms by 2040, researchers consider that firms' failure to mitigate the influence may result in monetary dangers and authorized actions that hurt firms' profitability. a corporation.
For extra data contact: Jeroen Dagevos jeroen@plasticsoupfoundation.org +31 6 29 38 60 56
Notes to editors:
The Plastic Well being Council
The Plastic Well being Council has a easy purpose: shield future generations from the man-made plastic well being disaster.
All through these INC negotiations, we have now a slender window to influence the UN Plastics Treaty, to make sure that the ultimate Treaty is robust and really protects the unborn, the subsequent generations, from the influence of microplastics, nanoplastics and harmful chemical compounds inside the plastic. Scientists are clear about it. We now have the proof. Now we have to act.
Scientists Converse #2: Plastic and Brains will be seen right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slmexHHJ7Lg
EA Floor Motion
plastic soup base
Plastic Soup Basis is a Dutch basis combating for a world the place the severity of the plastic disaster is taken into account a risk as massive as local weather change. PSF goals to deal with plastic air pollution at its supply.
See the influence of microplastics and well being right here: https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/tu-salud
References:
A photograph accompanying this announcement is on the market at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/80b87029-0c46-4d7c-88f9-f962993010c1
