Oceana, the largest international organization dedicated exclusively to the protection of the oceans, unveiled a monumental mural a few meters from the Senate of the Republic with the intention of reminding senators of their responsibility to legislate against the plastic pollution crisis suffered by the oceans.
On the International Day of the Oceans that is celebrated today, Esteban García-Peña, director of the Oceana plastics campaign in Mexico, said that this monumental work is to inspire and remind senators to legislate in favor of Mexicans, their health and their seas.
“Plastic pollution is a reality, and society, companies, legislators, federal and local governments, we must provide solutions to stop this crisis,” said García-Peña during a virtual presentation of the monumental mural.
“The evidence of the severity of plastic pollution, such as the death of turtles, birds, fish and marine mammals, as well as the ingestion of plastics by people and the destruction of habitats, are overwhelming. We hope that art will finally inspire and convince senators so that no more plastic reaches the ocean, “he added.
García Peña explained that in Mexico only 5% of disposable plastics are recycled, 70% of which are processed thanks to pepena. “Mexico alone dumps 9 billion plastic PET containers into the ocean each year, and with this trend, there will soon be more plastic than fish in the water.”
“Recycling will not be enough if it is not guaranteed that the production of plastic will be reduced from its origin. With current laws and meager industry commitments, plastic pollution in the ocean will double in 2050. For example, if the beverage industry were to change disposable packaging to at least 10% returnable, its arrival would be reduced by 20%. to the sea ”, he assured.
The director of Oceana recalled that 40% of the world production of plastics are packaging, packaging, cans and containers that will be used only once, and that plastic containers represent approximately half of the plastic waste worldwide .
“70% of single-use plastics go to the environment, and about 13 million tons of plastic are dumped into the sea annually. There is talk of a plastic garbage truck to the ocean every minute, “said García-Peña.
It should be noted that both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate there are at least 40 initiatives to reform the laws around the reduction and confinement of plastics, mainly the General Law for the Prevention and Comprehensive Management of Waste.
“None of these initiatives has been ruled, they are in limbo, in the freezer; We believe that out of these 40 initiatives, one must be created that guarantees the reduction of single-use plastics, that there is widespread responsibility for plastic producers and importers, and that lays the foundation for preventing and eliminating plastic pollution, ”he said.
The mural, which has an area of 300 meters, is the work of the artist Vera Primavera and is called “ Chalchiuhtlicue Diosa del Agua ”. It depicts a female figure crying from plastic pollution, while comforting a sea lion trapped in a lap by a disposable plastic piece.
“A goddess of water who cries because the ocean is drowning in plastic; cries because the inhabitants of the sea die eating it; cries for the opportunism and indolence of some members of the industry who do not see beyond their interests; he cries because rulers and Congress do little or nothing to reverse it. But art inspires and we hope to inspire them to work for the good of the Nation, ”added García-Peña.
Oceana calls on senators, particularly from the Commission for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, to have a vision of the State and ensure the change that the country requires to save its seas from plastic pollution.
“There is no tomorrow to save our main source of life, in its hands is the health and destiny of the ocean,” said the director of Oceana.
The mural will be exhibited indefinitely and is located on Madrid street number 15, on one of the walls of the Hotel Plaza Madrid building, in the Tabacalera neighborhood, a few meters from the headquarters of the Senate of the Republic.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 225 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more.