Hopes for global treaty to end plastic pollution
PRINT ALL READINGS (PDF)Plastic Pollution - Level 0
Around 175 countries could sign a plastic pollution treaty. It will protect the future of our planet. The UN spoke about the problem. It said: "Our world is drowning in plastic. Every year, we produce 460 million tons of it. Much of this is thrown away." The UN said a treaty will help our children and our children's children.
The UN said it was important to act now. By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Microplastics are creating many new health problems. South Korea asked countries to aim for zero plastic pollution. It said: "The waste…in our oceans and rivers now [risks] the lives of future generations."
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Plastic Pollution - Level 1
Around 175 countries could sign a treaty to limit plastic pollution. The nations have been meeting in South Korea. The U.N. Environment Program said the treaty will protect the future of the planet. The U.N. Secretary-General spoke about the problem. He said: "Our world is drowning in plastic pollution. Every year, we produce 460 million tons of plastic, much of which is quickly thrown away." The U.N. said a treaty will help future generations.
The U.N said it was important to act now. It said by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Microplastics are creating many new health problems. The president of South Korea asked countries to follow a path to zero plastic pollution. He added: "The waste…in our oceans and rivers now [risks] the lives of future generations." He asked governments, "to open a new historic chapter by [signing] a treaty on plastic pollution".
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Plastic Pollution - Level 2
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Around 175 countries could soon sign a treaty to limit plastic pollution. Representatives of the nations have been meeting in South Korea to talk about plastic waste. The U.N. Environment Program said the treaty is necessary to protect the future of the planet. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about the problem. He said: "Our world is drowning in plastic pollution. Every year, we produce 460 million tons of plastic, much of which is quickly thrown away." The U.N. said a treaty is, "an insurance policy for this generation and future ones".
Mr Guterres warned what might happen in the future if we do not act. He said: "By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Microplastics…are creating health problems that we're only just beginning to understand." The president of South Korea asked governments to agree on a path to zero plastic pollution. He said we must stop thinking of plastic as being convenient. He added: "The waste…in our oceans and rivers now [risks] the lives of future generations." He asked governments, "to open a new historic chapter by [signing] a treaty on plastic pollution".
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11 online activities | 8-page printable (PDF)
Plastic Pollution - Level 3
Countries worldwide could soon sign a treaty to limit how much plastic pollution we create. Representatives from 175 nations have been meeting in South Korea to talk about the problem of plastic waste. The United Nations Environment Program said the treaty is necessary to help protect the future of the planet. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about how serious the problem is. He said: "Our world is drowning in plastic pollution. Every year, we produce 460 million tons of plastic, much of which is quickly thrown away." The U.N. said a treaty is, "an insurance policy for this generation and future ones, so they may live with plastic and not be doomed by it".
Antonio Guterres gave a warning of what might happen in the future if we do not act now. He said: "By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Microplastics in our bloodstreams are creating health problems that we're only just beginning to understand." The president of South Korea echoed Mr Guterres' comments. He asked governments to agree on a path to zero plastic pollution. He said we have relied too much on plastic because it is so convenient. He added: "The waste accumulated in our oceans and rivers now jeopardizes the lives of future generations." He asked governments, "to open a new historic chapter by finalizing a treaty on plastic pollution".
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25 online activities | 27-page printable | 2-page mini-lesson