Environmental rights from a local perspective

| Subject: International Cooperation

A new We Have Rights, We Weave Freedoms cycle puts the spotlight on the production and use of plastic

On Saturday 30 November, Begues hosted the presentation of the new We Have Rights, We Weave Freedoms programme cycle, which explores environmental rights from a local-global perspective. This topical issue, directly linked to the challenge of climate change, is one of the major challenges that we must address through global and local actions. Tackling climate change represents a commitment not only to environmental but also to social and economic sustainability, because it affects the guarantee of human rights and the attainment of the SDGs.

Within this context, the organisers presented the main focus of the programme's 4th edition, aimed at analysing, reflecting on and proposing solutions for the production, use and management of plastic.

Participants in this edition included: Begues, Corbera de Llobregat, La Palma de Cervelló, Montgat, Montcada i Reixac, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sant Climent de Llobregat, Sant Vicenç dels Horts, Santa Coloma de Cervelló and Torrelles de Llobregat.

The event began with a round table discussion to present the programme, the new cycle and the edition's subject.

8 million tonnes a year

More plastic was produced over the last 10 years than during the entire 20th century. Plastic is currently present in virtually all of the products we use on a daily basis: products from the textile and food industries, cleaning products, fertilisers for agriculture and animal farming, motor fuel, etc. Not only are we in contact with plastic whilst we use plastic bags and bottles, synthetic fabrics or other plastic manufactured products: these products decompose in the water, earth (and therefore groundwater) and air with which we grow crops, breathe, etc. Every minute, one rubbish truck of plastic is dumped into the oceans. That's 8 million tonnes a year.

The round table discussion was followed by a presentation of the coordinated cooperation projects undertaken in partnership with the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, which aim to reduce the amount of plastic used in municipal markets and shine a light on the importance of awareness-raising projects for reducing, reusing, recycling and managing plastic.

The AMB's vice-president for International Relations and Cooperation, Ernest Maragall, expressed the institution's commitment to environmental rights and its pledge to continue to work alongside metropolitan city councils within the framework of this programme.

The event was rounded off with a performance by the Fomarians drum ensemble from Sant Climent de Llobregat, who presented the programme's new song and, with the help of the attendees, created a river of plastic to draw attention to the problem.

Participants also had the opportunity to take part in a collective video which revolved around the following question: "What can I do to reduce the use of plastic?".

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