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Rise in ocean plastic pollution 'unprecedented' since 2005
Rise in ocean plastic pollution 'unprecedented' since 2005
Jenny Vaughan,
Agence France-Presse
Published Mar 10, 2023 06:23 AM PHT
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PARIS—Plastic pollution in the world's oceans has reached "unprecedented levels" over the past 15 years, a new study has found, calling for a legally binding international treaty to stop the harmful waste.
PARIS—Plastic pollution in the world's oceans has reached "unprecedented levels" over the past 15 years, a new study has found, calling for a legally binding international treaty to stop the harmful waste.
Ocean plastic pollution is a persistent problem around the globe -- animals may become entangled in larger pieces of plastic like fishing nets, or ingest microplastics that eventually enter the food chain to be consumed by humans.
Ocean plastic pollution is a persistent problem around the globe -- animals may become entangled in larger pieces of plastic like fishing nets, or ingest microplastics that eventually enter the food chain to be consumed by humans.
Research published on Wednesday found that there are an estimated 170 trillion pieces of plastic, mainly microplastics, on the surface of the world's oceans today, much of it discarded since 2005.
Research published on Wednesday found that there are an estimated 170 trillion pieces of plastic, mainly microplastics, on the surface of the world's oceans today, much of it discarded since 2005.
"Plastic pollution in the world's oceans during the past 15 years has reached unprecedented levels," said the study, published in open-access journal PLOS One.
"Plastic pollution in the world's oceans during the past 15 years has reached unprecedented levels," said the study, published in open-access journal PLOS One.
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The amounts were higher than previous estimates, and the study found that the rate of plastic entering the oceans could accelerate several-fold in the coming decades if left unchecked.
The amounts were higher than previous estimates, and the study found that the rate of plastic entering the oceans could accelerate several-fold in the coming decades if left unchecked.
Researchers took plastic samples from over 11,000 stations around the world focusing on a 40-year period between 1979 and 2019.
Researchers took plastic samples from over 11,000 stations around the world focusing on a 40-year period between 1979 and 2019.
They found no trends until 1990, then a fluctuation in trends between 1990 and 2005. After that, the samples skyrocket.
They found no trends until 1990, then a fluctuation in trends between 1990 and 2005. After that, the samples skyrocket.
"We see a really rapid increase since 2005 because there is a rapid increase in production and also a limited number of policies that are controlling the release of plastic into the ocean," contributing author Lisa Erdle told AFP.
"We see a really rapid increase since 2005 because there is a rapid increase in production and also a limited number of policies that are controlling the release of plastic into the ocean," contributing author Lisa Erdle told AFP.
The sources of plastic pollution in the ocean are numerous.
The sources of plastic pollution in the ocean are numerous.
Fishing gear like nets and buoys often end up in the middle of the ocean, dumped or dropped by accident, while things like clothing, car tires and single-use plastics often pollute nearer to the coast.
Fishing gear like nets and buoys often end up in the middle of the ocean, dumped or dropped by accident, while things like clothing, car tires and single-use plastics often pollute nearer to the coast.
They eventually break down into microplastics, which Erdle said can look like "confetti on the surface of the ocean".
They eventually break down into microplastics, which Erdle said can look like "confetti on the surface of the ocean".
'FLOOD OF TOXIC PRODUCTS'
On current trends, plastic use will nearly double from 2019 across G20 countries by 2050, reaching 451 million tons each year, according to the report, jointly produced by Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation.
On current trends, plastic use will nearly double from 2019 across G20 countries by 2050, reaching 451 million tons each year, according to the report, jointly produced by Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation.
In 1950, only two million tons of plastic were produced worldwide.
In 1950, only two million tons of plastic were produced worldwide.
Recycling, even in countries with advanced waste management systems, has done little to help the pollution problem since just a small percentage of plastics are properly recycled and much often ending up in landfills instead.
Recycling, even in countries with advanced waste management systems, has done little to help the pollution problem since just a small percentage of plastics are properly recycled and much often ending up in landfills instead.
If landfills are not properly managed, plastic waste can leech into the environment, eventually making its way to oceans.
If landfills are not properly managed, plastic waste can leech into the environment, eventually making its way to oceans.
"We really we see a lack of recycling, a flood of toxic products and packaging," Erdle said.
"We really we see a lack of recycling, a flood of toxic products and packaging," Erdle said.
The rates of plastic waste were seen to recede at some points between 1990 and 2005, in part because there were some effective policies in place to control pollution.
The rates of plastic waste were seen to recede at some points between 1990 and 2005, in part because there were some effective policies in place to control pollution.
That includes the 1988 MARPOL treaty, a legally binding agreement among 154 countries to end the discharge of plastics from naval, fishing and shipping fleets.
That includes the 1988 MARPOL treaty, a legally binding agreement among 154 countries to end the discharge of plastics from naval, fishing and shipping fleets.
But with so much more plastic being produced today, the study's authors said a new, wide-ranging treaty is needed to not only reduce plastic production and use but also better manage its disposal.
But with so much more plastic being produced today, the study's authors said a new, wide-ranging treaty is needed to not only reduce plastic production and use but also better manage its disposal.
"Environmental recovery of plastic has limited merit, so solution strategies must address those systems that restrict emissions of plastic pollution in the first place," the study said.
"Environmental recovery of plastic has limited merit, so solution strategies must address those systems that restrict emissions of plastic pollution in the first place," the study said.
Last year, 175 nations agreed to end plastic pollution under a legally binding United Nations agreement that could be finalized as soon as next year.
Last year, 175 nations agreed to end plastic pollution under a legally binding United Nations agreement that could be finalized as soon as next year.
Among the key actions under negotiation are global ban on single-use plastics, a "polluter pays" scheme, and a tax on new plastic production.
Among the key actions under negotiation are global ban on single-use plastics, a "polluter pays" scheme, and a tax on new plastic production.
The total weight of the plastic pollution detected in the ocean today is estimated at 2.3 million tons, the PLOS study said.
The total weight of the plastic pollution detected in the ocean today is estimated at 2.3 million tons, the PLOS study said.
It examined samples in the North Atlantic, the South Atlantic, the North Pacific, the South Pacific, the Indian and Mediterranean oceans.
It examined samples in the North Atlantic, the South Atlantic, the North Pacific, the South Pacific, the Indian and Mediterranean oceans.
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‘Unfulfilled deals’ may be behind Duterte’s tirades vs Marcos: political analyst
‘Unfulfilled deals’ may be behind Duterte’s tirades vs Marcos: political analyst
Joyce Balancio,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 29, 2024 09:14 PM PHT
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Updated Jan 29, 2024 11:09 PM PHT
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MANILA (UPDATED) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. might not be keeping his “end of the bargain” with the Duterte family, that is why he is receiving attacks from some members of the family, a political analyst said Monday.
Prof. Dennis Coronacion from the University of Santo Tomas Department of Political Science said the Marcoses might have sealed some deals with the Dutertes when they were convincing then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to be his running mate during the 2022 national elections.
MANILA (UPDATED) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. might not be keeping his “end of the bargain” with the Duterte family, that is why he is receiving attacks from some members of the family, a political analyst said Monday.
Prof. Dennis Coronacion from the University of Santo Tomas Department of Political Science said the Marcoses might have sealed some deals with the Dutertes when they were convincing then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to be his running mate during the 2022 national elections.
“Ang mga political alliances po natin, or even political parties and coalitions, they are made up of elites. And when these elites form political parties or alliance, there is definitely political arrangements or negotiations that go along with it,” Coronacion told ABS-CBN News.
“Itong rally sa Davao nitong Sunday isa ito sa paraan ng Duterte family to remind the President of, you know, what took place during the negotiations during the last presidential election," he said.
“Ang mga political alliances po natin, or even political parties and coalitions, they are made up of elites. And when these elites form political parties or alliance, there is definitely political arrangements or negotiations that go along with it,” Coronacion told ABS-CBN News.
“Itong rally sa Davao nitong Sunday isa ito sa paraan ng Duterte family to remind the President of, you know, what took place during the negotiations during the last presidential election," he said.
He said the Davao City rally may have been meant to send a "strong message" that failing to honor previous agreements or further marginalizing Vice President Sara Duterte could lead to bigger problems.
He said the Davao City rally may have been meant to send a "strong message" that failing to honor previous agreements or further marginalizing Vice President Sara Duterte could lead to bigger problems.
CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS
Coronacion explained that is possible that the Duterte family did not take it lightly when Congress removed the confidential funds of the two offices of Vice President Sara Duterte for the 2024.
Speculations that a team from the International Criminal Court had already entered the country to investigate former President Duterte’s drug war, may also have agitated the Dutertes and their supporters.
Marcos Jr.’s shooting back at the older Duterte might also be a sign that the UniTeam is “crumbling”.
“Mukhang lumalabas na napikon na rin ang Pangulo sa mga paratang sa kanya. lalo na doon sa pagkasama sa kanyang pangalan sa watchlist ng mga suspects tungkol sa illegal drugs,” he said.
Coronacion explained that is possible that the Duterte family did not take it lightly when Congress removed the confidential funds of the two offices of Vice President Sara Duterte for the 2024.
Speculations that a team from the International Criminal Court had already entered the country to investigate former President Duterte’s drug war, may also have agitated the Dutertes and their supporters.
Marcos Jr.’s shooting back at the older Duterte might also be a sign that the UniTeam is “crumbling”.
“Mukhang lumalabas na napikon na rin ang Pangulo sa mga paratang sa kanya. lalo na doon sa pagkasama sa kanyang pangalan sa watchlist ng mga suspects tungkol sa illegal drugs,” he said.
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“At this point parang hindi maganda ang patutunguhan kung ibabasa natin doon sa reaskyon ng pangulo. Hindi ito magandang sign para sa pagsasamahan nila,” he added.
“At this point parang hindi maganda ang patutunguhan kung ibabasa natin doon sa reaskyon ng pangulo. Hindi ito magandang sign para sa pagsasamahan nila,” he added.
'PEOPLE TO BEAR BRUNT OF FEUD'
Further he said, if the situation worsens, Vice President Duterte’s function as the concurrent education secretary will be affected.
“Iyong mapapamalakad halimbawa ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa DepEd, somehow baka maapektuhan iyon. For example, patuloy na gigipitin ang budget ng DepEd o di kaya ang opisina ng Vice President so kapag ganito na masama na ang takbo ng kanilang relasyon,” he explained.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) also expressed concern the passage of laws that will provide additional benefits and salary to teachers might also be compromised given the rift between the leaders of the House of Representatives and VP Duterte who is also the concurrent Education Secretary.
“Walang pakinabang dito ang mamamayang Pilipino. Iyong usapin ng sahod ngayon nakasalang lalo na usapin ng GAA 2024 at ng usapin ng salary standardization law so technically pwede makaapekto iyan,” ACT National Chairperson Vladimer Quetua said.
A youth group also lamented how the political bickering affects governance, and the giving of service to the Filipino people.
'PEOPLE TO BEAR BRUNT OF FEUD'
Further he said, if the situation worsens, Vice President Duterte’s function as the concurrent education secretary will be affected.
“Iyong mapapamalakad halimbawa ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa DepEd, somehow baka maapektuhan iyon. For example, patuloy na gigipitin ang budget ng DepEd o di kaya ang opisina ng Vice President so kapag ganito na masama na ang takbo ng kanilang relasyon,” he explained.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) also expressed concern the passage of laws that will provide additional benefits and salary to teachers might also be compromised given the rift between the leaders of the House of Representatives and VP Duterte who is also the concurrent Education Secretary.
“Walang pakinabang dito ang mamamayang Pilipino. Iyong usapin ng sahod ngayon nakasalang lalo na usapin ng GAA 2024 at ng usapin ng salary standardization law so technically pwede makaapekto iyan,” ACT National Chairperson Vladimer Quetua said.
A youth group also lamented how the political bickering affects governance, and the giving of service to the Filipino people.
“Nagagalit po kami dahil habang nanatiling mataas ng presyo ng bilhin, habang maliliit ang sahod ng mga manggagawa at may kinakaharap tayong krisis sa transportasyon bardagulan ang inaatupag ni Duterte at ng Marcos at basically ginagawa nila ito dahil sa pagaagawan sa kapangyarihan,” Kate Almenzo, Anakbayan’s National Spokesperson said.
“Ang talo dito sa bardagulan ng mga Marcos at Duterte ay ang mga mamamayan,” she added.
“Nagagalit po kami dahil habang nanatiling mataas ng presyo ng bilhin, habang maliliit ang sahod ng mga manggagawa at may kinakaharap tayong krisis sa transportasyon bardagulan ang inaatupag ni Duterte at ng Marcos at basically ginagawa nila ito dahil sa pagaagawan sa kapangyarihan,” Kate Almenzo, Anakbayan’s National Spokesperson said.
“Ang talo dito sa bardagulan ng mga Marcos at Duterte ay ang mga mamamayan,” she added.
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