Why I Want a #PlasticFreePresident
Earlier this month 550 organizations came together to ask the incoming President of the United States to be a #PlasticFreePresident. The Plastic Free President Plan asks the President to address the plague of plastic pollution and production.
The plan includes 8 priorities:
- Use the purchasing power of the federal government to eliminate single-use plastic items and replace them with reusable products.
- Suspend and deny permits for new or expanded plastic production facilities, associated infrastructure projects, and exports.
- Make corporate polluters pay and reject false solutions.
- Advance environmental justice in petrochemical corridors.
- Update existing federal regulations to curtail pollution from plastics facilities by using best available science and technology.
- Stop subsidizing plastics producers.
- Join international efforts to address the global plastic pollution crisis through new and strengthened multilateral agreements.
- Reduce and mitigate the impacts of discarded and lost fishing gear.
This is a huge list and it encompasses many ways of tackling plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is a pervasive problem and we need big multi-faceted solutions to solve it. From stopping the building of new plastic production facilities to making corporations pay to deal with their trash, it’s going to take federal leadership to coordinate a response to stop plastic pollution.
More than these solutions, I want a #PlasticFreePresident because someone who can implement a list like this cares about our planet. A President who makes addressing plastic pollution a priority will put people and planet above corporations and profits.
I want a #PlasticFreePresident because plastic production and pollution go hand-in-hand with climate change. So, for the sake of the planet and my kids, I want bold actions on both.
To join the movement, sign the petition here.
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