Page 32 - 2021 - Q2 - Minerva in Focus

ENVIRONMENT

Five things you should 1) Pollution driven by huge increase in mask sales
The promotion of mask-wearing as a way to slow the spread of COV-
know about disposable ID-19 has led to an extraordinary increase in the production of dispos-
able masks: the UN trade body, UNCTAD, estimates that global sales
will total some $166 billion this year, up from around $800 million in
masks and pollution 2019.
Recent media reports showing videos and photos of divers picking up
of the oceans masks and gloves littering the waters around the French Riviera were
a wake-up call for many, refocusing minds on the plastic pollution
issue, and a reminder that politicians, leaders, and individuals need
to address the problem of plastic pollution.

The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting the fight against plastic 2) A toxic problem
pollution as the use of disposable masks, gloves, and other If historical data is a reliable indicator, it can be expected that around
protective equipment soars. Still, UN agencies and their 75 per cent of the used masks, as well as other pandemic-related
partners insist that if effective measures are put into place, waste, will end up in landfills or floating in the seas. Aside from the
the amount of plastics discarded every year can be signifi- environmental damage, the financial cost in areas such as tourism
cantly reduced or even eliminated. and fisheries is estimated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
at around $40 billion.
3) Existing solutions could cut plastics by 80 per cent
However, this state of affairs can be changed for the better, as shown
by a recent wide-ranging report on plastic waste published by The Pew
Charitable Trusts, and sustainability thinktank Systemiq.
The study, “Breaking the Plastic Wave: A Comprehensive Assessment of
Pathways Towards Stopping Ocean Plastic Pollution,” forecasts that if
no action is taken, the amount of plastics dumped into the ocean will
triple by 2040 from 11 to 29 million tonnes per year.
But around 80 per cent of plastic pollution could be eliminated over
this same period by simply replacing inadequate regulation, changing
business models, and introducing incentives leading to the reduced
production of plastics. Other recommended measures include de-
signing products and packaging that can be more easily recycled and
expanding waste collection, particularly in lower-income countries.

4) Global cooperation is essential
In a recent analysis of plastics, sustainability, and development, UNC-
TAD concluded that global trade policies also have an important role
in reducing pollution.
Many countries have introduced regulations that mention plastics
over the last decade, an indicator of growing concern surrounding the
issue. However, the UNCTAD analysis points out that for trade policies
to be truly effective, coordinated, global rules are needed.

5) Promote planet and job-friendly alternatives
Whilst implementing these measures would make a huge dent in plastic
pollution between now and 2040, the Pew/ Systemiq report acknowledg-
es that even in the best-case scenario, five million metric tons of plastics
would still be leaking into the ocean every year.
The report’s authors conclude that a dramatic increase in innovation
and investment, leading to technological advances, would be neces-
sary to deal comprehensively with the problem.
Furthermore, UNCTAD urges governments to promote non-toxic, bio-
degradable, or easily recyclable alternatives, such as natural fibres,
rice husk, and natural rubber. These products would be more envi-
ronmentally-friendly and, as developing countries are key suppliers
of many plastic substitutes, they could provide the added benefit of
providing new jobs. Bangladesh, for example, is the world’s leading
Source & Photo: United Nations supplier of jute exports, while, between them, Thailand and Côte
d’Ivoire account for the bulk of natural rubber exports.

30 MINERVA IN FOCUS – ISSUE 16 / Q2 2021