Plastics pollution throughout the planet has increased both in the last decades that one of the main risks for sustainability is already.
Every year more than 400 million tons of plastic occur worldwide and it is believed that half of this material is conceived for a single -use useful life. Less than 10% is recycled. It is estimated that 11 million tons of plastic waste end every year in lakes, rivers and seas.
Single -use plastic products that are discarded or burned not only harm human health and biodiversity, but also pollute all kinds of ecosystems, from mountain peaks to the seabed. A single plastic bottle takes to disintegrate about 500 years and the fishing sedal needs a hundred more years to do so.
According to the latest global risk report, of the World Economic Forum, plastic pollution is a silent disruptor of ecosystems, which threatens biodiversity both on land and water by altering habitats, introducing toxins and breaking critical links into food chains.
From the depths of the ocean to remote and wild places, not touched by the human being, plastic waste infiltrates and alter the natural world of invisible but devastating ways. For fauna, bets are life or death: animals are trapped by plastic waste or ingest them, confusing them with food, resulting in injuries, toxic poisoning or malnutrition.
Chain effects do not stop there: complete ecosystems falter under the accumulation of plastic waste, losing their resilience to sustain biodiversity or provide critical functions such as carbon absorption and water purification. Plastic pollution is not only filling the waste planet; He is dismantling his life support systems.
Urban areas, such as centers of human activity and waste generation, are both taxpayers and victims of this crisis. In urban green and blue spaces, agricultural lands or tourist sites such as national parks, plastic pollution becomes more evident and affects the physical, mental and social health of the urban population and rural communities.
If these places are sensitized about the impact of plastic pollution on biodiversity, they are also in a unique position to lead the fight against plastic pollution and restore biodiversity through innovative policies and localized actions.
Microplastics, invisible threat
The microplastics have leaked in our soil, rivers and seas, silently altering the life network that maintains the balance of ecosystems. It is estimated that people ingest more than 50,000 plastic particles every year and even many more if inhaled particles are taken into account.
According to the definition of the European Agency for Chemical Substances and Mixtures (ECHA), microplastics They are particles whose diameter is less than 5 mm that invade food, water and even air.
There are two categories of microplastics: the primary ones that are already manufactured with this size and are found in multiple products, such as cosmetics, clothing, fertilizers, cleaners or paintings and the secondary ones that originate from the degradation of large plastic objects, such as bags, bottles or fishing nets, and that represent between 70% and 80% of those found in the oceans.
Circular economy
According to United Nations estimates, moving towards the circular economy could reduce the volume of plastics by more than 80% by 2040; decrease the production of virgin plastic by 55%; save governments about 65,000 million euros; Lower greenhouse gas emissions by 25% and create around 700,000 jobs.
According to UNEP, it is possible to deal with the problem of plastic pollution if scientific advances and existing solutions are used. However, to resolve this crisis, it is necessary that governments, private sector and citizens amplify and implement measures in all corners of the world.
In the European case, from 2020 a community directive prohibits certain single -use plastic products and requires recycling 50% of its waste, a figure that in 2035 must reach 65%.
In Spain, the Law on Waste and Polluted Soils of 2022 adapted these regulations. And since then, cotton rods containing plastic, cutlery and single -use dishes, straws or beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene are not marketed. In addition, it prohibits microplastics in cosmetics or cleaning products.
Private initiatives
Naturgy, one of the main energy companies in Spain, has assumed the commitment to be one of the key actors in the energy transition towards a circular and decarbonized economy model, in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Its strategy covers both the expansion of its generation capacity from renewable sources and the development of innovative, essential technologies to reduce emissions and promote efficient use of resources.
Naturgy undertakes not only with the generation of clean electricity, but also with the production of biomethane and green hydrogen, key technologies for the country’s energy future.
Since 2017, the company has reduced its direct greenhouse gases by 39%, 36% the intensity of CO2 to electricity generation, 30% its carbon footprint and 39% water consumption. In addition, in 2023, 37% of our installed power was renewable.
In addition, they have a clear and ambitious objective: to achieve climate neutrality in 2050.