Carbon footprints: Plastic pollution to drive 19% of global emissions by 2040 – Researchers warn

By FEMI AKINOLA
Researchers has warned that by 2040, plastic could account for 19% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The United Nations (UN) Environment Programme highlights the severity of the problem, revealing that one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute worldwide and five trillion plastic bags are used each year.
These staggering statistics are a wake-up call. As the third most prevalent waste material on the planet, plastic pollution is not just an eyesore – it is a critical threat to both the environment and public health.
In a bid to tackle this escalating issue, countries such as Malaysia has introduced the mandatory extended producer responsibility project as one of the major strategies highlighted in the Malaysian Plastics Conservation Framework 2021-2030, to revolutionise waste management.
To engage the next generation in this critical endeavour, Star Media Group Bhd (SMG) is organising the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme to reach out to university students to come up with inventive and sustainable solutions.
Their involvement will help to drive awareness and advocacy among undergraduates, tapping into their creative minds and innovative thinking whilst fostering future leaders and innovators.
The inaugural edition of the programme kicked off with the official launch ceremony held at Sunway University in Petaling Jaya at weekend.
Under the theme “Transforming Plastic Waste into Sustainable Solutions”, the programme challenges university students and undergraduates to creatively ideate solutions to address real-world business challenges.
“‘We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children’. This age-old proverb reminds us of our responsibility to leave a better world for future generations,” said SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt.
“As we face escalating challenges of climate change, pollution and resource depletion, environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles are no longer a luxury – they are essential to the survival of businesses, communities and ecosystems alike.
“The programme’s theme challenges university students to rethink how we use, manage and repurpose plastic materials.
“This programme is a call to action for all of you, the next generation of eco-innovators. You have the power to reshape industries, redefine sustainability and reimagine what is possible.
“Through your passion, innovation and dedication, we can move closer to realising a world without waste,” Chan pointed out.