Each year 11 million metric tons of plastics flow into our ocean from land-based sources alone. These plastics put ocean life at risk as well as the communities and wildlife that depend on it. To date, nearly 1,300 different species have been documented with plastics in their bodies, including us humans. Now is our chance to push our leaders to enact policies that put an end to the plastic pollution crisis.
Currently, negotiators are working on an internationally legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, more commonly referred to as the global plastics treaty.
The United States is the number-one generator of plastic waste, and it ranks as high as third among countries contributing to plastics in the coastal environment. As a major driver in the ocean-plastic pollution crisis, it is critical that we are also part of the solution. We need the United States to show its leadership and be part of the global effort to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a future where we leave the ocean cleaner than we found it.
We need to act now to make sure our leaders take action and avoid irreparable damage to our ocean.