Reversing the Plastics Crisis Through a Human Rights Approach
4:00 pm US Eastern Time
Slides & Resources
Resources
The stages of the plastics cycle and their impacts on human rights (the report and focus of this webinar) – https://www.akaction.org/wp-content/uploads/N2120178.pdf
International Institute for Sustainable Development. Special Rapporteur Highlights Right to Science, Impact of Plastics on Human Rights. Sept 16, 2021.
United Nations Human Rights: Office of High Commissioner: Opening Remarks, SR toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, Third Committee, Virtual informal - General Assembly, 75th session, Oct 27, 2020.
Geneva Environment Network. Plastics and Human Rights. Sep 23, 2021.
2nd UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights. Mar 17, 2021.
Download our Webinar Highlights fact sheet for key findings and quotes from this webinar.
CHE-Alaska hosted a webinar on Wednesday, March 30 from Noon to 1:00 PM Alaska Time (4:00 pm Eastern Time) on The Stages of the Plastics Cycle and their Impacts on Human Rights from the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, Dr. Marcos Orellana. His most recent report to the UN General Assembly is on the plastics cycle and human rights (link to full report).
The report by the Special Rapporteur describes the current and future adverse effects to health and human rights created at each stage of the plastics cycle, from production to use and disposal and emphasizes that “the global plastics crisis necessitates a worldwide, human rights-based solution.” The UN report contains detailed recommendations to accomplish this including transparency and right-to-know about what is in plastics, the right to participate in decision making around the plastics cycle, precautionary and polluter pays principles, and extended producer responsibility.
This report is free to all and at only 20 pages, is an accessible resource. I encourage you to read it and bring questions to this event on March 30.
Featured Speaker
Dr. Marcos A. Orellana is the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights (full title – Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes). He was appointed to this position in August 2020. Dr Orellana is an expert in international law and the law on human rights and the environment. His practice as legal advisor has included work with United Nations agencies, governments, Indigenous peoples, and non-governmental organizations.
Read Dr. Orellana’s full bio on the UN’s website - https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Environment/SRToxicsandhumanrights/Pages/Marcos-A-Orellana.aspx
This call was hosted by the CHE-Alaska Partnership, which is coordinated by Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT). It lasted for 60 minutes and was recorded for the call and webinar archive.
