Role of media in dealing with plastic waste

Plastic pollution is a threat to biodiversity and human health. Diverse and effective solutions to this issue are required. It should include source-reduction, improved and more sustainable waste management, and cleanup.

Plastic pollution has globally doubled in the last two decades. At this rate, it would be triple by 2060, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Unfortunately, 90 percent of plastic is not recycled. Most of them dumped in nature or buried in landfills.

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. It is threateningecosystems, livelihoods, and public health. Many countries including Bangladesh stand at thecrossroads of this crisis--both as major consumers and producers of plastic.
As part of latest knowledge sharing and stakeholders' engagement about plastic pollution among journalists of Asia and Europe,Singapore-based intergovernmental non-profit organization: Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) recently, organized an international workshop for journalists in Singapore and Malaysia. Title: Challenges of Dealing with Plastic Waste. This author had the opportunity to join the workshop accordingly.

The workshop seeks to facilitate a deeper understanding among journalists of the challenges and responses to managing plastic waste. It focused on the complex challenges of plastic pollution, highlighting the need for collective action, education, and technological innovation.

At the event, among other speakers and discussants, Mr ZHANG Lei, deputy executive director of ASEF said, "Plastic pollution is a critical global environmental issue. Microplastics have been found across land, sea, air and within the human body. According to UNEP, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with only an estimated 12 percent of it incinerated and nine percent recycled. The remainder has either been disposed of in landfills or released into the environment, including the ocean. Addressing this issue -- demands global efforts across all sectors--governments, industry, civil society, journalistsand individuals alike."

Annually, a staggeringvolume of plastic waste finds its way into overflowing landfills, clogged rivers, and even the vast expanseof the ocean. This plastic, which was once considered a revolutionary material, has now become anemblem of environmental degradation. From microplastics in our food chain to toxic emissions fromburning plastic waste; the crisis extends beyond the visible heaps of garbage. It seeps into the very air webreathe and the water we drink.

According to Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) South Asia,we reached a historic step forward in the fight against plastic pollution in March 2022, when the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) formed by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in Nairobi unanimously approved a resolution to end plastic pollution. That sets the stage to create a legally binding Treaty by 2024 to prevent and reduce global plastic pollution.

This critical milestone would not have been possible without a diverse movement of waste pickers, frontline community activists, journalists and zero waste advocates demanding systemic change.UNEP mentioned, immediate action is required to reduce plastic pollution throughcoordinated and comprehensive global effortsin line with the Treaty and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Role of media: The mass Media has substantial power to bring forth pressing environmental concerns such as air and plastic pollution into the limelight of public and political discourse. And thus they magnify their significance in policy debates. Moreover, media not only have the power to shape public perception but also can help influence the policymakers and their understanding of air and plastic pollution through highlighting the major health, environmental, and economic consequences.

Plastic pollution is also an underlying issue that requires equal attention. Therefore, it is important not only to conduct research on such emerging issues but also to create a dialogue with the Media to help raise awareness on such environmental matters.

Through consistent Media coverage of plastic pollution stories, the journalists have the power to bring these pressing issues to the forefront of public. Increasing understanding about the health impacts of plastic pollution could be an effective way to raise awareness globally on a larger scale.

Environment experts at the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) workshopobserved that plastic pollution is now not only an urban concern but has permeated its way to rural areas as well. They emphasized the need to establish a dedicated authority comprising environmental experts and policymakers actively involved in government and nongovernment projects.

Theymust have comprehensive knowledge of the impacts and effects of environmental pollution while maintaining transparency in data collection and dissemination. In Bangladesh, the concern of plastic pollution is being reported for the last three to four years. Because of lack of updated data and in-depth research, journalists cannot produce evidence-based news stories on environmental pollution pursuant to the requirement.

"Asia-Europe cooperation is a key component of responding to such transboundary challenges. ASEF is pleased to convene this workshop for journalists as part of our mission to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between Asia and Europe. We brought journalists from the two regions together through our workshop to facilitate a deeper understanding among them of the challenges and responses to managing plastic waste. We hope the journalists can in turn communicate this to the public to raise awareness and inspire collective responsibility," ZHANG Lei concluded.