April 22nd is Earth Day and this year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastic.
This year’s Earth Day theme couldn’t come at a better time, because April 22nd also the day countries from around the world will gather in Ottawa to start the fourth round of negotiations to develop an international treaty on plastic pollution. All eyes will be on Canada for crucial talks to end one of the planet’s biggest environmental crises.
Runaway plastic production is drowning the world in persistent and pervasive pollution. This is not only an environmental problem; scientists are increasingly connecting plastics and the chemicals they’re made from to health issues, including cancers, infertility, obesity and heart disease. If we don’t put the brakes on, plastic use is slated to double by 2050 and waste will nearly triple by 2060. Continuing with the status quo also leaves communities nearest to plastic production and waste facilities to suffer the most—including Indigenous communities.
Big problems require big solutions. That’s why we have lots of events, actions and opportunities for you to learn more and raise your voice this month! We hope you’ll join us as we help lead the Earth Day charge against plastic pollution, right here in Canada. Check out our full list of events below:
Find an Earth Day event near you:
Sunday, April 21, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM: March to End the Plastic Era, Ottawa! Join your friends at Environmental Defence Canada to march together with people from around the world in the rally to End the Plastic Era! Meet on Parliament Hill between 10:30 and 11 am and look for the Environmental Defence banner.
For far too long, fossil fuel companies have viewed plastics as a Plan B for their dying industry. The entire plastics life cycle comes at the expense of human life and our fundamental rights to health and the environment, and our climate — especially for Black, Brown, Indigenous, frontline, and under-resourced communities.
REGISTER NOW TO GET UPDATES ON THIS IMPORTANT MARCH
Monday, April 22, All day, Canada-wide: Twitterstorm to #EndThePlasticEra! Join us this Earth Day social media day of action.
Runaway plastic production is drowning the world in pollution. But Canada has the chance to say enough is enough at the upcoming global plastics treaty negotiations, hosted right here in Canada! Join us as we flood X with a united message demanding that Canada take this urgent and unique opportunity to show leadership to end plastic pollution! More details to come: follow us to stay in the know!
Wednesday, April 24, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM at the National Arts Centre (Ottawa): Plastic Pollution on the Frontlines: Stories from Turtle Island. This free roundtable event features speakers from Indigenous communities on the frontline of the plastic crisis.
When people think of plastic pollution, they tend to think of litter and landfills or the ocean garbage patches. But plastic pollution begins long before the landfill and continues long after. Every single stage of the lifecycle of plastic causes harm to our environment and our health.
You’ll hear from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the Nunatsiavut government about the impacts of plastic production and pollution on their communities. Refreshments and light snacks will be served.
REGISTER NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Friday, April 26, 9:00 am at the National Arts Centre (Ottawa): Toxic Chemicals in Plastics, Public Health and the Precautionary Principle. With a focus on plastic additives of concern and their impacts on health and well-being, this free interactive session will feature leading scientists, environmental health advocates and the grounded expertise of affected communities on the links to cancer, endocrine disruption, and impacts on child health.
