Planetary crisis

Details: Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00; Written by editor

We have a plastic problem so huge it’s being called a “planetary crisis”. [1] Turtles are choking on plastic bags, microplastics are seeping into our seafood and drinking water, and if we don’t do something to cut down our plastic garbage, by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. [2-5]

But there’s a common sense solution that would make a big difference: banning single-use plastics.

Canadians create a whopping 3 million tonnes of plastic garbage every single year that winds up polluting our oceans and killing thousands upon thousands of precious marine animals. [6-7] But imagine how much we could cut down our plastic pollution if we weren’t throwing away billions of single-use plastic bags, straws, cups, and bottles.

Supa -- this is our moment. Right now, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna is asking for public input on how Canada can reduce plastic waste and marine litter. A massive petition would show that there’s widespread support for a ban on single-use plastics, and could convince the Liberals to ban them altogether.

So, if you think we need bold action to stop plastic pollution from suffocating our oceans, will you add your name now?

Sign the petition

With the government asking for input, we’ve got a real opportunity to turn the tide on plastic pollution -- but it won’t come without a fight, and we’re up against some corporate heavy-weights.

When Toronto City Council tried to ban single-use plastic bags in 2012, the plastics industry fought tooth and nail to stop it -- and they succeeded. [8] And now, they’re trying to stop a similar ban in Victoria. [9] Powerful plastic corporations are going to pull out all the stops to try to prevent a nationwide ban -- and we need to show Minister McKenna that protecting our planet is more important than protecting corporate profits.

The good news is this is exactly what the Leadnow community is built for. From big oil to the big pharma, time and time again we’ve proven that when we come together, we can take on corporate giants that threaten our democracy, and push for lasting change.

If we come together now, we can drown out the corporate lobbyists that profit from plastic pollution, and push Minister McKenna to ban single-use plastics once and for all.

So what do you say, will you add your name?

Sign the petition

We’re in this together,

Chloe and Rachel N., on behalf of Leadnow

Sources:
[1] http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42225915
[2] http://www.newsweek.com/plastic-pollution-bigger-threat-sea-turtles-oil-spills-752585
[3]http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/microplastics-fish-shellfish-1.3954947
[4] http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/09/06/world-tap-water-plastic_a_23199390/
[5]http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_New_Plastics_Economy.pdf
[6] http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/campaigns/ocean/Plastic-pollution/
[7]https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/03/11/canada-should-lead-on-plastic-waste-at-the-g7-summit.html
[8] https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/19/look-at-fees-or-bans-to-curb-plastics-use-says-toronto-parks-and-environment-chair.html
[9] http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/plastic-industry-challenges-city-of-victoria-s-bag-ban-1.23156645

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