With the aim of addressing the problem of plastic pollution in a coordinated and global manner, eight Latin American countries have come together to jointly develop the Marine Litter Action Plan for the Northeast Pacific 2022-2026, through an effective and sustainable proposal in the time.
The countries that make up the initiative are: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia.
As a consequence of a global industry that is increasingly harmful to the environment, the oceans disused plastics have become huge deposits of plastic waste. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), 80% of marine litter comes from land-based sources, mainly from plastics associated with food and beverage packaging.
The production and design of products with a high content of unnecessary or single-use plastic, accelerated consumption and inefficient waste management are some of the causes of this plastic epidemic, which produces negative impacts on ecosystems, economies and human well-being.
World Oceans Day 🌊 | As a Maritime Authority, we are responsible for the application of the law of the sea in our country. pic.twitter.com/RxVuQCLcLv
– Argentine Naval Prefecture (@PrefecturaNaval) June 8, 2022
What does it consist of
The plan, elaborated jointly by representatives of the pertinent national authorities of the eight countries of this subregion, with the support of the UN agency, as part of the work of the Global Alliance on Marine Debris, and the MarViva Foundation, analyzes the current situation of marine litter in the region, identifies the gaps and opportunities for improvement and generates recommendations regarding the prevention, reduction and proper management of marine litter.
We can all help you #SaveTheOceans:
🍴 Avoid single-use plastics.
🏖️ Participate in beach cleanup.
🐟 Consume sustainable seafood.
🗣️ Help spread the word!More about the #WorldOceansDay: https://t.co/x8AnQSs9yU pic.twitter.com/FVV21LVmRm
— United Nations (@ONU_es) June 7, 2022
Global situation of marine litter:
• 15% of marine litter floats on the sea surface, another 15% is located in the water column and 70% remains on the seabed
• 80% of marine litter comes from land sources, mainly from plastics associated with food and beverage packaging.
• Plastics are the largest, most harmful and persistent fraction of marine litter, representing at least 85% of the total. Single-use plastic, in turn, can constitute up to 70% of the material found in the seas
• By 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish
• Microplastics of secondary origin are plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter, found in the environment as a result of the degradation of larger plastics. Other microplastics, of primary origin, are released directly into the environment after being intentionally added to certain products, such as cosmetics or textiles.
• If the current situation continues, by 2025 it is forecast that 1,303,186 tons of plastic will be present in the marine spaces of the Northeast Pacific region
The #climate change seriously affects the oceans:
↗️🌊 sea level
↗️🌡️ of the temperature
↗️ 🪸 acidification
↗️ 💧🧂 salinityEvery fraction of a degree of warming matters.
#WorldOceansDay pic.twitter.com/WeDZpX3PJP
— UN Climate Change (@UNFCCC) June 8, 2022