TORONTO – Today, Greenpeace Canada inaugurates a photo exhibition in the Danforth district, in the riding of Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, in order to draw attention to the plastic crisis and to demand daring leadership in favor of a solid global treaty on plastics. Titled, The cost of conveniencethis outdoor exhibition comes ten days before the second part of the 5th session of the intergovernmental negotiation committee (CIN-5.2), which will be held from August 5 to 14 in Geneva. As a signatory of the Stand Up for Ambition declaration and a member of the Host Countries Alliance, Canada must advance negotiations and stimulate the ambition of other parties.
His van den Broeke, plastic campaign manager at Greenpeace Canada, said:
“We are at the heart of a plastic pollution crisis that harms our health and our environment while worsening the climate crisis. With the holding of the CIN-5.2, we have a unique opportunity to close the plastic valve. Greenpeace urges Canada to conclude a global treaty on robust and binding plastics that reduce plastic production, ends for single -use plastics and makes human rights a priority. »»
The exhibition The cost of conveniencecarried out in collaboration with the Toronto artist Sean Martindale and with the help of JP King, takes place along Danforth avenue, from Greenwood to Woodbine. The series of photographs, displayed at the corner of the streets and in the windows of shops bordering the artery, testifies to the omnipresence of plastic pollution and its consequences on air, supply and water supply.
Plastic pollution is part of the daily life of communities across Canada, and its life cycle is harmful at each stage: refining and extraction of fossil fuels until elimination, incineration or discharge. Research indicates that 99 % of plastics is made from fossil fuels and that large oils invest billions to extend their petrochemical activities, often in sectors where marginalized populations live, which disproportionately affects low -income households as well as black, indigenous and racialized people.
“Canadian people call for daring action: more than 8 in 10 people support federal intervention to combat plastic pollution and more than 70 % are in favor of a reduction in plastic production. We are here today to remind the Minister Dabrusin that Canada must remain firm in its position and support a treaty that will help stop the plastic crisis – for our health, our planet, our communities and our climate, “ Added Van Den Broeke.
Greenpeace Canada invites the media to attend the inauguration of the exhibition on July 29 at noon (East time) in East Lynn Park in Toronto. A plan showing companies participating in the event is available ici. The exhibition will continue until August 5.
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Notes to publisher:
Photos and videos of the activity are available in the Greenpeace media library (they will be added during the day).
The Eve Breath You Take report, produced as part of the Greenpeace Plastic Free Future campaign, is available here.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Micho, communications advisor, Greenpeace Canada
[email protected]+1 647 428 0603