New Delhi, Dec 20: With plastic waste overwhelming ecosystems and surpassing global management capacities, experts warn the world has reached a critical tipping point, urging governments, industries, and citizens to act decisively before irreversible damage sets in.
Annual plastic production exceeds 400 million tons, with 75-199 million tons polluting oceans and 31.9% of waste mismanaged into rivers, soil, and air. Projections indicate pollution could double to 280 million tons by 2040 without curbs.
Marine species face mass die-offs from ingestion and entanglement, while microplastics contaminate food chains and drinking water. Land-based plastics rival major emitters in GHG output, degrading soil and biodiversity worldwide.
Experts advocate capping production, phasing out single-use items, and building waste infrastructure through global treaties. Such measures could cut pollution by 44%, proving economic viability alongside environmental gains.
