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Earth Day 2024: WILPF Members Leading the Charge Against Plastic Pollution

This Earth Day on 22 April, WILPF is supporting efforts to end plastic pollution, in line with this year’s Earth Day theme, “Planet vs. Plastics”. To mark this day, we are showcasing multilateral efforts to address the issue, outline actions you can take, and spotlight plastic recycling initiatives led by our WILPF Sections in Zimbabwe and Cameroon. Join us in envisioning a world free from plastic pollution and in celebrating the Planet on this special day!

This article was drafted in close collaboration with Nancy Price, member of WILPF US and the WILFP Environment Working Group.

Image credit: WILPF
  • 6 min
WILPF International Secretariat
22 April 2024

Why should we worry about plastic?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the ramifications of plastic production and pollution within the triple planetary crisis of  the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution paint a grim picture.

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  • Plastics are made from fossil fuels – coal, crude oil, and natural gas. Many chemicals are the product of the process of refining fossil fuels and of the man-made processes to make plastics. If plastic production is expected to double in capacity by 2040, it is the fastest-growing industrial source of greenhouse gasses. 
  • Plastic production saw a dramatic increase from 2 million tonnes in 1950 to 348 million tonnes in 2017, transforming into a global industry valued at US$522.6 billion, with forecasts suggesting a doubling in capacity by 2040.  
  • Exposure to plastics poses health risks, potentially affecting fertility, hormonal balance, metabolism, and neurological functions, while the burning of plastics worsens air pollution. 
  • Approximately 11 million tonnes of plastic waste find their way into oceans each year, a figure that is expected to triple by 2040. More than 800 marine and coastal species suffer from this pollution through ingestion, entanglement, and other hazards.

Zooming in on microplastics: Over the past ten years, environmentalists and scientists have turned their attention to microplastics that are widespread very small plastic particles, less than 5mm in size. These are particles from larger plastic products that break down over time from the effects of sun, wind and ocean waves. Microplastics are also ingredients in cigarette filters, cleaning and personal care products, dust from car and truck tires and are found in many other sources. About 60% of clothing today is made from petroleum turned into man-made fibers such as polyester, rayon, acrylic, and spandex. Textile microfibers do not biodegrade and are one of the biggest sources of microplastic pollution in the ocean and bioaccumulate in animals. Thereby they become more concentrated as they move up the food chain. Preliminary studies have linked accumulated microplastic in animals, fish, and humans, including significant health impacts.

Zooming in on microplastics: Over the past ten years, environmentalists and scientists have turned their attention to microplastics that are widespread very small plastic particles, less than 5mm in size. These are particles from larger plastic products that break down over time from the effects of sun, wind and ocean waves. Microplastics are also ingredients in cigarette filters, cleaning and personal care products, dust from car and truck tires and are found in many other sources. About 60% of clothing today is made from petroleum turned into man-made fibers such as polyester, rayon, acrylic, and spandex. Textile microfibers do not biodegrade and are one of the biggest sources of microplastic pollution in the ocean and bioaccumulate in animals. Thereby they become more concentrated as they move up the food chain. Preliminary studies have linked accumulated microplastic in animals, fish, and humans, including significant health impacts.

What can we do about it? 

For too many decades, fossil fuel industries and manufacturers of plastic along with shareholders and investors have profited from sales worldwide. It’s time they put their profits back into programs for clean-up of plastic waste, and for plastic production to drop dramatically. According to UNEP, shifting towards a circular economy could significantly decrease the flow of plastics into oceans by over 80 percent by 2040, reduce virgin plastic production by 55 percent, save governments US$70 billion by 2040, cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent, and generate 700,000 additional jobs, mainly in the so-called Global South. Gradually phasing out all single use plastics by 2040 will reduce the demand which will lead to the reduction of plastic production and trash.

There are many ways individuals and movements can discuss, strategise, share and take actions through grassroots initiatives, collaborative advocacy and actions, legislation, community engagement, and more. Actions should not be limited to just one day per year, but commencing with your actions on Earth Day is a great start! WILPF Sections all over the world are organising actions to tackle plastic pollution. Learn more about the activities of WILPF Zimbabwe and WILPF Cameroon below.

Ecopreneurship through plastic waste management: Insights on WILPF Zimbabwe’s activity for Earth Day

For Earth Day 2024, WILPF Zimbabwe is conducting an activity on plastic recycling. Tackling plastic pollution in Zimbabwe is important due to the significant environmental problems caused by plastic waste. Plastic waste has reached unprecedented levels in urban and rural centres. The improper disposal of plastic waste into water bodies has a negative impact on aquatic life. Additionally, the short life of plastic bags and their improper disposal contribute to environmental degradation. Plastic waste management infrastructure is limited in developing economies like Zimbabwe, leading to poor waste management practices.   

To address these issues, recycling of plastic waste is crucial. The establishment of formal strategies for recycling waste can create more jobs and contribute to sustainable development, since plastic recycling can be an income generating project. Ecopreneurship, focusing on plastic waste management, can be a long-term strategy for managing plastic waste in Zimbabwe.  Furthermore, the successful marketing of bioplastic products can assist in transitioning towards a circular economic system and reducing the consumption of fossil-based plastics.

On 22 April WILPF Zimbabwe will host an Ecopreneur (Recycling Artist) to train members of the community on making plastic vases and planting flowers. This activity is important because community members can learn proper recycling techniques and contribute to reducing plastic waste. Secondly, training in plastic recycling can create economic opportunities for individuals, especially in the informal sector, which is currently the main source of income in Zimbabwe. By establishing formal strategies for recycling waste, more jobs can be created for unemployed citizens. Additionally, training can help individuals develop skills in eco-innovations and eco-entrepreneurship, which can lead to the establishment of sustainable businesses in plastic waste management.   

Empowering Students for Environmental Justice: Insights from WILPF Cameroon’s Climate Action Project

In 2023, Aubine Sandrine Mahda Kepseu, a feminist peace and climate activist from WILPF Cameroon worked in collaboration with local organisations and government entities such as the “Association Communauté et Développement Durable” (CODED) and MINEPDED to address plastic pollution. WILPF Cameroon enabled students and educators from five secondary schools in the Littoral region to lead the way in promoting environmental awareness and conservation. Through the project young changemakers learned about the non-biodegradability of plastic waste, its threat to marine ecosystems, and the dangers of burning plastic, leading to the adoption of sustainable waste management practices among schools. Discover further details about the plastic awareness project by reading Aubine’s interview!

Other Action We Can Take:

  • Support earthday.org’s campaign to demand the reduction of all plastic production by 60 percent by 2040. 
  • Demand policies to end fast fashion and develop campaigns to influence fashion brands to move away from plastic clothing in favour of innovative sustainable textiles.
  • Buy and wear new or used clothes made of cotton, wool, silk, hemp and bamboo, hand wash clothes or use washing machines with filtration systems to reduce and eliminate microfibers.  
  • What kinds of single use plastic products could you, your family and friends stop buying and using?  
  • Support efforts for the adoption of the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution. In March 2022, the historic resolution titled “End Plastic Pollution: Towards an internationally legally binding instrument” was adopted at the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly, with states agreeing to develop an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution by 2024.
  • Support the Fossil Fuel Treaty Campaign which is garnering support for an international Treaty that seeks to the expansion of coal, oil and gas production; to develop an equitable plan for a fair phase out and enable a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy without leaving anyone behind.
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WILPF International Secretariat

WILPF International Secretariat, with offices in Geneva and New York, liaises with the International Board and the National Sections and Groups for the implementation of WILPF International Programme, resolutions and policies as adopted by the International Congress. Under the direction of the Secretary-General, the Secretariat also provides support in areas of advocacy, communications, and financial operations.

Berit Aasen

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

Berit Aasen is a sociologist by training and has worked at the OsloMet Metropolitan University on Oslo. She has 40 years of experience in research and consultancy in development studies, including women, peace, and security, and in later years in asylum and refugee studies. Berit Aasen joined WILPF Norway five years ago. She is an alternate member of the National Board of WILPF Norway, and representing WILPF Norway in the UN Association of Norway, the Norwegian 1325 network and the Norwegian Women’s Lobby. Berit Aasen has been active in the WILPF European Liaison group and is committed to strengthening WILPF sections and membership both in Europe and relations across continents.

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Thank you!

Melissa Torres

VICE-PRESIDENT

Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.

Jamila Afghani

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.

Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.