Oman has joined Chile, Sri Lanka and South Africa in UN Environment’s CleanSeas campaign against marine litter and ocean pollution, announcing measures including plastic bag bans, new marine reserves and drives to increase recycling, said a press release.
The four countries announced their support during the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. The Assembly is expected to announce a raft of measures to counter pollution, in all its forms, which is killing millions of people around the world and eroding the natural systems on which all life depends.
The #CleanSeas campaign aims to “turn the tide on plastic” by inspiring action from governments, businesses and individuals on ocean pollution.
Pollution is the theme of the 2017 United Nations Environment Assembly, which is meeting in Nairobi, Kenya from 4 to 6 December. All governments as well as individuals, businesses and other organizations are invited to sign the pledge and help #BeatPollution
“For too long, we have treated the ocean as a bottomless dumping ground for plastic, sewage and other waste,” said Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment. “The countries supporting CleanSeas are showing the leadership we need in order to end this abuse, and protect the marine resources on which millions depend for their livelihoods.”
Nearly 40 countries from Kenya to Canada and Indonesia to Brazil have joined the #CleanSeas campaign, which aims to counter the torrents of plastic trash that are degrading our oceans and endangering the life they sustain. The countries account for more than half of the world’s coastline.
Legislation to press companies and citizens to change their wasteful habits is often part of broader government strategies to foster responsible production and consumption – a key step in the global shift toward sustainable development.
The flow of pollution means detritus such as drinks bottles and flip-flops — as well as tiny plastic fragments, including microbeads used in cosmetics — are concentrating in the oceans and washing up on the most remote shorelines, from deserted Pacific islets to the Arctic Circle.
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