Is it a bird? A plane? Nope, just falling plastic

Ahead of global treaty talks in Ottawa, Australian foundation says average of 210 kilograms of microplastics fall on city daily

- PATTY WINSA

The Minderoo Foundation calculated the microplastics “forecast” for Ottawa to cut through competing interests at international treaty talks this week and drive home the importance of reducing plastic.

When representatives from around the world convene in Ottawa for plastic treaty negotiations this week, they will be greeted with sunny skies, highs of up to 13 C, and more than 210 kilograms on average of microplastics, which fall on the city each day.

That number is courtesy of the plastic forecast, a headline-grabbing calculation worked out by the Minderoo Foundation — founded by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest and his wife, Nicola — to cut through competing interests at the talks and drive home the importance of reducing plastic production and waste.

“Weather is something we all understand and talk about,” said Tony Worby, the foundation’s chief scientist. “Proving that plastic is so ubiquitous that it is even in our weather makes it easier for people to conceptualize the scale of the problem.

“Making people (and, therefore, elected leaders) care is half the battle.”

And that will be a challenge during this fourth round of treaty negotiations, with many countries still divided on what limits to put on plastic, and a deadline that runs out at the end of the year.

Canada is one of only 64 “high ambition” countries, so called for their shared commitment to reduce plastic production and eliminate waste by 2040 by way of a legally binding treaty.