The problem of plastic waste

World Environment Day 2023 was launched by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) with the theme“Solutions to Plastic Pollution”which focuses on campaign implementation “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

This year’s theme emphasizes turning commitments into practical actions, widely applying solutions to reduce plastic, aiming to prevent the trend of increasing pollution and environmental degradation; solve urgent environmental problems; step by step improve and restore the quality of the environment from land to ocean.

The launching ceremony on the occasion of World Environment Day was chaired by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with the participation of many units, organizations and people. Photo: Khuong Trung

World Oceans Day 2023 (June 8) was selected by the United Nations with the theme “Planet Ocean: Tides Are Changing” (Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing); revolves around the main contents such as: The ocean is the largest ecosystem of the Earth; The relationship between the ocean and the climate; Coastal management and ocean cultural significance; International cooperation and change of sea and ocean systems; Untapped opportunities and potentials of the ocean; Underwater ecosystems and topography; Innovating and creating global awareness of seas and oceans; Collective action for the ocean.

Associated with the theme of World Oceans Day 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (TN&MT) launched the theme of Vietnam Sea and Islands Week 2023 (From June 1 to 8) as“Sustainably exploiting and using natural resources, protecting the environment of sea and islands”with the overall goal that by 2030, sea and island resources will be rationally exploited, effectively and fairly used in service of socio-economic development in association with ensuring national defense, security, foreign affairs and cooperation. international cooperation; pollution of the marine environment is prevented, controlled and significantly reduced; marine, coastal and island biodiversity is protected, maintained and restored

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh said that humanity is facing extremely urgent problems about the environment, climate change and sea level rise. In particular, the burning problem that has been concerned by many countries for a long time is the issue of ocean plastic waste, unsustainable exploitation and use of marine resources. He said that this is a global problem, requiring the response efforts of each country as well as the close cooperation of the international community.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh called on ministries, branches, central mass organizations, local authorities, organizations, individuals and businesses to take practical actions to protect the environment. . Photo: Khuong Trung

According to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam is facing many challenges when the problem of white pollution is closely related to economic development and social stability. Along with about 50% of the country’s population living in lowland and coastal areas, Vietnam is considered as one of the most vulnerable countries and suffers from many negative impacts of climate change, environmental pollution. school, sea level rise.

Over the past time, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has actively advised the Party and State to promulgate many important guidelines and policies on resource management, environmental protection, response to climate change and sustainable development. sustainable marine economy such as: Resolution No. 24/NQ-TW of the Party Central Committee (term XI) on proactively responding to climate change, strengthening natural resource management and environmental protection; Resolution No. 36/NQ-TW of the Central Committee of the Party (term XII) on the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045; Law on Environmental Protection in 2020; Law on Natural Resources and Environment of Sea and Islands 2015; Strategy for sustainable exploitation and use of natural resources and environmental protection of sea and islands by 2030, with a vision to 2050; …. Thereby, gradually raising public awareness about the harmful effects of plastic products and single-use plastic bags on the environment, ecosystems and human health.

However, the environmental protection and management of marine and island resources of Vietnam are still facing many difficulties and challenges. The marine environment shows signs of being polluted; Natural resources and biodiversity continue to decline, exploitation and use of sea and island resources is still inefficient and unsustainable. People’s awareness about exploitation and use of resources is not high, consumption habits of single-use plastic products have been putting great pressure on the management and protection of the environment. The head of the Natural Resources and Environment sector commented and called on ministries, branches, central mass organizations, local authorities, organizations, individuals and businesses to take practical actions to solve the pollution problem. plastic waste pollution, contributing to environmental protection, sea and ocean protection; sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources.

Minister Dang Quoc Khanh and other delegates participated in tree planting at the launching ceremony. Photo: Khuong Trung

6 solutions to protect resources and develop marine economy

At the launching ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh outlined six main tasks and solutions to protect natural resources and develop the marine economy in a sustainable way. Specifically:

One is, be united in awareness and action to behave responsibly towards the sea and ocean according to the guidelines of the Party, policies and laws of the State and international law; overcome and eliminate the idea of ​​pursuing immediate economic benefits while disregarding the maintenance and protection of the environment, further promoting the development of a civilized marine ecological community; consider this as the standard of ethics and culture of each agency, organization, community, business and people.

Two is, implement management, environmental protection and sustainable development of seas and islands, effectively implement appropriate strategies and policies to limit ocean plastic waste, conserve biodiversity, and restore marine ecosystems; promote responsible farming and exploitation in offshore areas and oceans, ensuring suitability to each sea area and the resilience of ecosystems.

Focus on developing multi-purpose and synchronous infrastructure, especially the traffic network, speeding up the investment in construction of Vietnam’s coastal road according to planning; develop synchronously, form economic zones, industrial parks and coastal ecological urban areas in association with the formation and development of strong marine economic centers that play a key role in regional development and inter-regional integration. ; strengthen links between coastal areas and inland areas.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh participated in picking up trash and cleaning up the sea during the National Launching Ceremony of Vietnam Sea and Islands Week, an action month for the environment. Photo: Khuong Trung

Three is, prioritize investment, promote basic investigation, scientific and technological research, and develop high-quality marine human resources. Strengthening environmental protection, especially in coastal waters; improve and raise the quality of the marine environment, minimize resource degradation, and sustainably develop marine biodiversity; well handle sources of marine and ocean pollution from land, reduce plastic waste, through strengthening control of collection, recycling and reuse of plastic bags and single-use plastic products ; limit and proceed to stop the import, production and supply of non-biodegradable plastic bags at commercial centers and supermarkets across the country for daily-life purposes.

Four is, make the most of advantages to develop tourism and marine service industries so that Vietnam becomes an attractive destination of the world; synchronous and efficient exploitation of seaports and shipping services; improve the efficiency of exploitation of marine mineral resources in association with deep processing, research and exploration of new sedimentary basins, non-traditional forms of hydrocarbons; promoting sustainable aquaculture and fishing activities, strengthening protection and regeneration of marine resources; promote investment in construction and exploitation of wind power, solar power and other forms of renewable energy; improve productivity, quality and international competitiveness of marine economic sectors; develop sea areas based on the advantages of natural conditions, in harmony between conservation and development.

Support and encourage businesses and people to invest, produce and use environmentally friendly materials to replace difficult-to-decompose packaging and products. Implement policies on incentives, exemption and reduction of product tax, environmentally friendly materials to replace single-use plastic products, non-degradable plastic bags and materials with risks of environmental pollution.

Year is, continue to expand and strengthen cooperation with countries, international and regional partners and organizations on the basis of respecting the sovereignty, rights and legitimate interests of coastal states, complying with the law. international law, UNCLOS 1982, ensuring maritime security and safety, contributing to building an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development. Promoting the heroic, historical tradition of the nation, resolutely and persistently defending the sovereignty of the sacred seas and islands and national interests at sea; settle disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982, creatively apply historical lessons, combine national strength with the strength of the times, and support and concur the international community to firmly protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands and marine economic activities.

Six is, well carry out the propaganda, education and raising awareness about the sea and islands of the country, the sense of protecting marine resources and environment; turning awareness into self-consciousness and concrete and practical action at each level, each industry, each enterprise and each individual; building a society, consciousness, lifestyle, cultural behavior that is close and friendly to the sea; develop cultural institutions for coastal and marine communities; promote national identity, historical and cultural values, good knowledge in dealing with the sea, building marine culture.

“I believe that, with the spirit of market demand in international cooperation relationships and solidarity, unity and internal efforts, we will achieve certain victories in the protection of natural resources. and the environment, protecting the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland. Every citizen, business and organization in society will be an active and enthusiastic nucleus, playing an important role in the process of reducing plastic pollution, protecting the environment, and responding to climate change. while promoting the potential and advantages of the sea, realizing the country’s economic development in a sustainable way, creating a premise for Vietnam to move closer to the goal of building a future “living in harmony with nature”. by 2050” – Minister Dang Quoc Khanh emphasized.

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