Don’t Let Oceans and Vibrant Marine Life Choke on Plastic Waste

Target: Boris Johnson, President of the G7 Cornwall Summit

Goal: Commit to global treaty against plastic pollution overrunning oceans and endangering marine life.

Countries around the planet celebrate World Oceans Day in June, but every year this date reminds us that the trillions of pieces of plastic crowding out marine life continue to grow. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a physical manifestation of this crisis, as are incidents like the recent cleanup of Earth’s biggest marine reserve. This project alone yielded 47 tons of plastic waste. Another case study can be found on Henderson Island, a South Pacific piece of land that has seen its temperatures rise and its turtle populations endangered because of plastic debris. Some countries such as Turkey have taken needed steps like banning plastic waste imports. Now, calls are growing for the world’s seven most influential economies—and subsequently some of the planet’s biggest plastic polluters—to unite in ending this alarming threat.

The annual G7 Cornwall summit will convene in June, and advocates want a worldwide treaty on plastic pollution as a centerpiece of this global meeting of the minds. Businesses traditionally responsible for plastic waste are even joining in the calls. An open letter produced by these companies as well as organizations like Plastic Planet stated the case for such a treaty best: “some 300m tonnes of plastic waste [are] produced every year. Less than ten percent of all plastic has ever been recycled. The rest piles up in landfill, is incinerated, or ends up littering our natural environment for centuries.” Tragically, Earth’s oceans are the most prominent dumping ground.

Sign the petition below to support and join in this essential call for global action.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Prime Minister Johnson,

You championed the Paris Climate Agreement; the United Kingdom joined more than 70 other countries in supporting a global treaty to combat another major contributor to climate change and environmental destruction: plastic pollution. As the leader of the G7 summit, you are in the ideal position to reaffirm both of these pledges. Respected organizations, and even plastics polluters themselves, have asked that this summit become the place where a plastic pollution treaty and a unified commitment to end this danger are born.

Please honor this request. The planet just celebrated World Oceans Day and the life and livelihood these seascapes provide us. Help ensure their sustenance and longevity for centuries to come by eliminating one of their most destructive enemies.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Catherine Sheila


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