Plastic pollution costs $1.5 trillion annually

A report warns that plastic pollution is a significant threat to health and economies.

Plastic pollution costing $1.5 trillion a year poses serious health risks

A recent report in the Lancet medical journal reveals that plastic pollution poses a major health risk, costing the world at least $1.5 trillion annually. The review highlights how plastic, comparable to air and lead pollution, affects health from infancy to old age. It emphasizes the urgency for global negotiations on a treaty to address plastic pollution, with researchers noting that less than 10 percent of plastic is currently recycled. The study cites alarming health outcomes linked to plastic exposure, particularly affecting children and pregnant women.

The escalating issue of plastic pollution is not just an environmental challenge, but a public health crisis. With rising plastic production and minimal recycling efforts, the economic and health implications are enormous. The Lancet report serves as a wake-up call, urging governments to implement effective regulations. Experts warn that ignoring this crisis could lead to severe health consequences for future generations, emphasizing that the solutions require international cooperation and commitment to substantial policy changes.

Highlights

The link between plastic production and climate change highlights an urgent need for global actions.