Negotiators of an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, just concluded their fourth session in Ottawa, Canada. With four rounds of talks now down and just one to go, negotiators left Ottawa with no agreement on the scope of the future treaty nor any narrowing of options.
Climate Change
President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement sparked widespread criticism beyond U.S. borders as well as debate on how best to proceed without Washington’s involvement. The WPR series examines the effects of climate change, and the trends that shape climate policy, in countries around the world.
The recent approval of the United States’ eighth major offshore wind project provided a boost to the offshore wind sector’s commitment to being part of the solution not only to climate change, but also the rapid degradation of marine biodiversity. These crises are two sides of the same coin and must be addressed together.
Populist leaders worldwide have increasingly used rhetoric designed to appeal to people in society who feel disproportionately affected by sustainability measures. But while the rhetoric used by populist leaders are often opportunistic attempts to exploit these grievances, it is a mistake to dismiss the grievances themselves.