ENVIRONS
Global Plastics Treaty
UN member states have agreed to start international negotiations on drawing up a global plastics treaty that could set rules for production, use and disposal of plastics. This act involves nearly 200 countries, who have agreed to start negotiations on an international agreement to take action on the "plastic crisis.".World leaders have until 2024 to agree to the plastic pollution treaty.
Source:
Briggs, Helen. "Plastic pollution: Green light for 'historic' treaty," BBC, 2 March 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60590515
Record Number of Trees Destroyed in Amazon
The number of trees cut down in the Brazilian Amazon in January far exceeded deforestation for the same month last year, according to government satellite data. The area destroyed was five times larger than 2021, the highest January total since records began in 2015
Source: Rannard, Georgina. "Amazon deforestation: Record high destruction of trees in January," BBC, 11 February 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60333422
Amazon at a Tipping Point
Research conducted by research was carried out by the University of Exeter, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and Technical University of Munich. found "The Amazon rainforest is moving towards a "tipping point" where trees may die off en masse. As a result, "the world's largest rainforest is losing its ability to bounce back from damage caused by droughts, fires and deforestation."
Source: Briggs, Helen. "Amazon rainforest reaching tipping point, researchers say," BBC, 7 March 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60650415
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations, Project Everyone and 72 Films launched “Nations United – Urgent Solutions for Urgent Times,” a first of its kind film, in September 2020. “Nations United – Urgent Solutions for Urgent Times” sets out what must be done to tackle the world’s biggest issues, from COVID-19 to poverty, inequality, gender discrimination, climate change, justice and human rights. The film marketd the UN’s 75th anniversary, as well as the 5th anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals.
To revisit the sustainable development goals, go to: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/. To watch the Nations United film, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVWHuJOmaEk
One MIllion Specties Threatened by Humans
A 2019 United Nations found one million of the planet's eight million species are threatened with extinction by humans.. Shrinking habitat, exploitation of natural resources, climate change and pollution are some of the main drivers.
Retrieved from: https://ipbes.net/news/Media-Release-Global-Assessment