
India and France have realized how crucial it is to reduce plastic waste. France announced a ban on single-use plastics in 2019, and India began a nationwide drive to decrease single-use plastics in 2018. These two nations may lead in developing a worldwide strategy to deal with this urgent issue by working together. Keep reading To find out more about this initiative.
What is Single Use Plastic?
Products made of plastic that are suppose to be used just once before being discarded are referred to as single-use plastic. These include throwaway plastic products including plastic bags, straws, utensils, bottles, packaging, and other items. Because single-use plastics are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose, they frequently end up in landfills, seas, and other natural ecosystems,
They are a major source of plastic pollution. Single-use plastics manufacturing and consumption have serious negative effects on the environment and human health, prompting calls for their usage to be curtailed or stopped.
What is the Need to Put a Ban on Single-use Plastic?
Single-use Plastic has various kinds of negative impacts some of which include the following:
1 . Impact on the Environment
Plastic trash has a tremendous negative influence on the environment. It takes hundreds of years for plastic to disintegrate, and during that time, harmful compounds are released that can contaminate our soil, air, and water. The consequences for ecosystems and species can be catastrophic.
2. Health Hazards
Chemicals that can be dangerous to human health are frequently use to make plastics. These substances have the potential to contaminate food and water supplies and result in a variety of health consequences, including cancer, hormone disruption, and developmental disorders.
3. Depletion of Fossil Fuels
A considerable amount of fossil fuels, which are non-renewable resources, are needed to produce plastic. The cost of making plastic will rise as these resources become more scarce, raising consumer prices.
There are several functional and environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic that are readily available. For instance, the use of plastic is diminished by the availability and repeat use of reusable bags, containers, and utensils. We can save the environment, our health, and our financial security by reducing the use of plastic.
About One Ocean Summit
A global initiative called the One Ocean Summit is dedicated to defending and safeguarding the oceans. The summit brings together world leaders to discuss problems affecting the ocean and create solutions to them.
It made clear the urgency of taking action to safeguard the ocean, which is struggling to survive due to a number of issues like overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change, and ocean acidification. The summit attendees decided on a number of initiatives to solve these problems, such as increased financial support for science and technology, enhanced fisheries management, and the creation of fresh, sustainable business models.
PM Modi Announces India to Join France to Eliminate the Global Issue of Single-use Plastic
We now live in a world where plastic products are ubiquitous. Plastic has permeated every area of our lives, from toys to technology, from packaging to cutlery. But the environmental cost of this convenience is significant. A substantial threat to our world and its inhabitants is pose by single-use plastic in particular, which has been identify as a major source of plastic pollution.
Recent years have seen a substantial increase in awareness of the problem of single-use plastic in India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi playing a key role in doing so. PM Modi stated that “the time has come for even the world to say goodbye to single-use plastic” when announcing India’s resolve to decrease its use of single-use plastic in 2019.
Today, India will be glad to join France in launching a worldwide initiative against single-use plastic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, noting that the country is commit to doing so. In a video message to the summit’s high-level gathering, Modi made the comments.
India recently launched a national awareness drive to clear coastal areas of plastic and other trash. Nearly 13 tonnes of plastic garbage were gather by 3 lakh young people. India has instructed its Navy to dedicate 100 ship days to clearing marine debris of plastic this year. It will be glad to join France in the introduction of a global campaign against single-use plastics, the official stated.
India has always been a maritime society, according to PM Modi, and ancient Indian literature and scripture discuss the treasures of the waters, including marine life.
“Today, the oceans play a key role in our economy and security. One of the main pillars of India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean plan is marine resources. India accepts the French proposal for a partnership with big ambitions on biodiversity outside of national borders. This year, we want to have a binding international agreement,” he stated.
India is dedicate to eradicating single-use plastic, according to the prime minister. The United Nations, the World Bank, and France are working together to host the summit in Brest from February 9–11.
The summit’s goal is to inspire the international community to take concrete steps to protect and promote vibrant, long-lasting ocean ecosystems. Other heads of state and government will also speak at the summit’s high-level session.
Single-use Plastic as Global Issue
Single-use plastic is a problem that is not just in India. Many nations are making efforts to cut back on single-use plastic usage and lessen .But,its negative environmental effects. In order to reduce plastic waste and advance a circular economy, the European Union suggested a ban on single-use plastic items like straws, plates, and cotton buds in 2018. Similarly to this, some nations in Asia and Africa have banned the use of plastic bags, and more are considering following suit.
Bans on single-use plastic items, such as bags, straws, and utensils, have been enact in a number of American states and towns. In addition, a number of businesses have promised to cut back on single-use plastic, with some even promising to stop using it altogether. The urgency of taking action to solve the issue and the growing awareness of the effects of plastic pollution on the environment have motivated these initiatives.
In order to discover answers to this issue, the global initiative on single-use plastics and will bring together governments, corporations, and civil society organisations. It will put an emphasis on lowering the manufacturing and consumption of single-use plastics, boosting recycling and waste management.
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