The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has urged the public to take action and commit to tangible changes in their everyday lives by reducing the use of single-use plastics and promoting a circular economy by reusing, recycling, and repurposing them.

In commemoration of Earth Month this April and celebration of Earth Day, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said this year’s theme, which focuses on “Planet vs Plastics”, aims to raise public awareness, drive action, and promote community engagement on the critical issue of plastic waste.

The CCC’s social media campaign #PledgeForPlanetEarth encourages the public to share their actions aligned with their pledges by posting them in their social media accounts “stories” and “my day highlight”.

It also urges social media users to use the #PledgeforPlanetEarth templates at https://tinyurl.com/PledgeForPlanetEarth to show support.

A study by the United Nations reveals that over 400 million tons of plastic are produced globally every year, with 17 million barrels of petroleum used for plastic production.

Around 13 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean annually making up 85 percent of total marine wastes, killing up to 1 million seabirds, 100,000 sea mammals, marine turtles, and countless fish each year.

In the Philippines, approximately 2.7 million tons of plastics are produced annually, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and World Bank Statistics.

The CCC said the impact of plastic waste goes beyond pollution as it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of its lifecycle.

If this continues, plastics production could account for 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The CCC urged everyone to embrace the 5Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse, and Repurpose to help cut down on plastic waste and reduce carbon footprint. (PNA)