Artists, activists call for Global Plastics Treaty to end the age of plastic

Nairobi, Kenya – Thirteen celebrated activists, athletes and actors from around the world have appeared in a video calling to end the age of plastic. The 90-second video from Greenpeace International aims to set the tone for the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations (INC3), set to resume today at the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, an activist and Indigenous leader, said: “End the age of plastic. Let us protect Indigenous Peoples. Our land in Africa is not a dumping ground.”

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, ethologist and conservationist, said: “We need to end the age of plastic because it’s killing wildlife and because we can’t recycle our way out of the plastic crisis. We need to reduce plastic production.”

Nemonte Nenquimo, Waorani leader and winner of the 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize said: “End the age of plastic. It contaminates our territory, it pollutes our rivers and our lands.”

Emmy Award-winning actor Lee Jung-Jae, known for his acclaimed role in the hit series Squid Game, also added his voice to the campaign and said: “Our planet doesn’t have a ‘replay’ button like we do in a game. A solid and strong Global Plastics Treaty is the only way to end the age of plastic.”

Other notable names include Celina Jaitly, William Shatner, and Janet Hsieh, who have joined Greenpeace’s campaign to pressure world leaders to agree on a strong global plastics treaty that tackles the plastic pollution crisis at the source.

Over 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels, and with production set to skyrocket, it is a significant driver of climate change.

Graham Forbes, Greenpeace Head of Delegation to the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations and Global Campaign Lead for Greenpeace USA, said: “The Global Plastics Treaty must cut total plastic production by at least 75% by 2040 to ensure that we are staying below 1.5° C for our climate and to protect our health, our rights and our communities. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to solve the plastics crisis. For the sake of our collective future, we cannot waste this moment.”

Over a thousand delegates, including ministers from governments all over the world, will convene to secure a legally binding Treaty. The UN has set a goal for the treaty to be negotiated by the end of 2024.

To read more about Greenpeace’s demands, click here.

View the video here.

Notes:

List of artists, activists and athletes in the video

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE – Founder – the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
Lee Jung-Jae – actor
Nemonte Nenquimo – Waorani leader and Co-Founder of Amazon Frontlines & Ceibo Alliance
Celina Jaitly – actor and UN Equality Champion
William Shatner – actor and author
Hindo Oumarou Ibrahim – Coordinator of Indigenous women and peoples association of Chad and co-chair of International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change
Maria Poonlertlarp – model
Ryu Jun-Yeol – actor
Janet Hsieh – TV presenter
Psalm Wooching – athlete
Celina Jade – actor
Latu Latunipulu – athlete
Josh Furno – athlete