By Laura BennettTuesday 18 Apr 2023Hope AfternoonsSocial JusticeReading Time: 2 minutes
When we hear about reducing our plastic waste, it’s a cause that comes with a strong environmental focus – we’re told of the impacts our waste has on climate change and the ramifications for future generations and Earth’s biodiversity.
However, Christian agency Tearfund who work to reduce poverty and injustice around the world, want to re-frame the issue from being an environmental emergency to a social emergency that is costing human lives.
“Plastic pollution is harming people’s livelihoods, and undermining the progress made in recent decades to end poverty,” Tearfund Australia CEO Matthew Maury said.
“It is literally making people sick: dumping and burning of rubbish releases toxic fumes, floods communities and is causing up to a million deaths each year.”
Thankfully, this year and next, nearly 200 governments are meeting to develop the first-ever international agreement on plastic pollution, extending Australia’s existing commitment to address plastic pollution through its participation in the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution.
“[This agreement] represents a really exciting time in history,” Matthew said.
“The treaty that’s being developed is a treaty to end plastic pollution by 2040.
“It’s going to sign each government around the world onto a commitment of both how it’s going to reduce the use of plastics, how it’s going to deal with recycling plastics and how it’s going to protect the communities most affected [by plastic waste].
“They’re really practical outcomes and will be legally binding so countries have to not just sign on to these things but deliver on the results.”
Tearfund is encouraging Australians to be part of the solution and to demonstrate their care for their global neighbours by signing their petition.
The petition calls on the Australian Government to do all it can to influence global negotiations and ensure that this plastics treaty helps end the world’s rubbish problem.
Listen to Matthew Maury’s full interview with Laura Bennett in the player above.
Feature image: Getty