Placers with plastic destroys ecosystems and harm people’s health. UNEP answers 10 questions about plastic pollution The climate and environment the world produced about 400 million tons of plastic waste last year. Water and shampoo bottles, packaging, polyester clothing, plastic pipes and other products-all this is part of the global crisis of pollution with plastic. According to experts, it destroys ecosystems, harms people’s health and enhances climate change. 62 ~ “Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental threats facing humanity. But we can cope with this problem, ”says Eliza Tonda from the UN program on the environment (UNUP). – The solution to this problem will not only improve the state of the planet and human health, but also open a lot of economic capabilities. ” ~ 60 > this year the World Environment Day will be devoted to how to prevent plastic waste in nature: from reducing the use of disposable products to changing approaches to long -term design. As this day approaches on June 5, UNEP tells more about what pollution of plastic is, why this is a serious problem and what can be done with this. ~ 60 > how much in the world in the world Plastic ?So many. Plastic is used today in almost all areas – from the automotive industry to medicine. Since the 1950s, according to estimates, humanity has produced 9.2 billion tons of plastic, of which about 7 billion turned into waste. ~ 60 > which types of plastic pose the greatest threat ? first of all-first of all- disposable products. They are not processed and are not returned to the economy, overload the recycling systems and often find themselves in the environment. Among the most common – packaging, packaging, packages, disposable dishes and packaging foam. where you can see the consequences of pollution ? H2 >~ 60 > almost everywhere: in rivers, lakes and oceans, on The streets of cities and in rural areas, on landfills and even in deserts and sea ice. Scientists discovered plastic waste even on the Everest and in the Mariana cavity – the deepest point of the ocean. Than the pollution of the plastic ? 60 > there are three main reasons: 60 > first, these are harm to ecosystems. For example, plastic microparticles can inhibit the growth of phytoplankton – an important link in sea food chains. Pisces often swallow plastic, filling their stomachs with inedible fragments and dying of hunger. ~ 60 > there is also a threat to people’s health. Plastic decays into microplastics and nanoplastics, which can accumulate in the body. They were found in the liver, testiculas and even breast milk. One bottle of water may contain up to 240 thousand microparticles. Another problem is the aggravation of climate change. The production of plastic requires huge energy costs and, according to estimates, caused more than 3 percent of the global emissions of greenhouse gases in 2020. 62 ~ how microplastics affects the human body ? 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > is still unknown. Scientists are urgently looking for an answer, since microplastics is found in an increasing amount of products consumed. Can the processing solve the problem ? no. According to the study of the organization of economic cooperation and development (OECD), only about 9 percent of plastic waste is processed. Reasons: products are not originally intended for processing, too fragile or lending to processing only once or twice. In many countries there is no infrastructure for effective processing. The main thing is that plastic production volumes grow too fast. From 2000 to 2019 they doubled. how to deal with pollution ?~ 60 > 62 ~It is necessary to revise the entire life cycle of plastic products – from development and production to consumption and disposal. In practice, this means rejection of disposable plastic, the creation of durable and safe products, the search for alternatives and the prevention of leaks in nature. 62 ~~ 60 > it is expensive and difficult ? 60 > not necessary. In many countries, innovative decisions are already being implemented. Studies show that an integrated approach can save the world up to 4.5 trillion dollars in the form of social and environmental costs by 2040. ~ 60 > “It is necessary to stop the struggle with plastic as expenses,” says Tonda. – these are investments in the health of society and planets that will bring fruits for many generations forward. ” what is already being done by the world community ? many countries introduce laws that restrict the use of one -time plastic and obligatory manufacturers to carry Responsibility for waste. But the problem is cross -border in nature, therefore international cooperation is necessary. That is why negotiations are underway on a global legally compulsory agreement, the next session of which will be held in Geneva from 5 to 14 August, 2025. ~ 60 >~ 60 > why you need to act now ? if you do not take measures, the situation worsen. According to forecasts, by 2060 the volume of plastic waste will almost triple and reach a billion tons per year. When maintaining the current trends, almost half of these waste will be on landfills, will be burned or entered into the environment. 62 ~