Study finds Health impacts due to plastics worldwide to double between 2016-2040.
Key Highlights of the Study
- Production Peak: Global plastic production may not peak until beyond 2100, with Global plastics demand expecting to double by 2050.
- Impact on Human Health: Plastics lifecycles emit a range of gases and pollutants linked to respiratory illnesses, and hazardous chemicals associated with cancers, etc.
- Microplastics and Nano plastics have been identified in human tissues with early evidence of cell damage and immune responses.
- Compounding Pollution: Plastics lifecycles have led to rising Stratospheric ozone depletion, Photochemical smog formation, Fine particulate matter formation all impacting human health.
Key Initiatives on Reducing Plastic Pollution
- Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021: Strengthens regulations on plastic waste.
- It implemented ban on Identified Single-Use Plastics from 1st July 2022.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), 2022: Companies that make or sell plastic products must take care of the waste.
- India’s Role in Global Initiatives:
- Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (2019): India played a role in bringing plastic waste under Convention’s Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.
- G20 Osaka Blue Ocean Vision (2019): India and other countries set a goal to stop adding any new plastic waste to oceans by 2050.
- High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (2021): India joined it with the aim to protect at least 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.
- Other Initiatives: Global (UNEP Plastics Initiative; Ongoing negotiations on Global Plastics Treaty, etc.); Indian (Creation of Plastic Parks; Swachh Bharat Mission, etc.).
