My Experience at the New York Global Design Forum in Partnership with SAP

How the Plastic Crisis and Government Action Shape Our Sustainable Future

Hey everyone! I gotta spill the beans about this epic event I attended last week. It was the New York Global Design Forum in partnership with SAP, and let me tell you, it was off the charts! Sian Sutherland, the genius co-founder of PlasticFree and A Plastic Planet, delivered an absolute showstopper of a speech on the plastic crisis. So brace yourselves for the highlights!

Sian Sutherland wasted no time and dove into the urgent need for change. She painted a vivid picture of climate change hitting us harder and faster than we ever imagined, with extreme weather events becoming the norm. And guess what? Our global supply chains are taking a massive hit, too, affecting both resources and market opportunities.

But here's the kicker: Sian Sutherland laid it out simply. We're facing a future with three certainties—less dependency on fossil fuels, fewer ecological resources, and more climate devastation. No crystal ball is needed for that one! So, as businesses, we need to ask ourselves, can we really afford to be unprepared for this totally predictable future?

Now, let's talk circularity, shall we?

Sian had a little surprise for us. She threw a challenge at the audience, asking what was wrong with the final picture of the circular economy. And the answer? You got it! There's still a bin lurking around. Why? Because we humans have this weird habit of taking natural resources, which are meant to be nutrients for nature's growth, and turning them into toxic messes. Take leather, for instance. It's a natural material that should nourish the earth, but instead, we add chemicals, heavy metals, and toxic dyes, making it impossible to return to nature as a nutrient. It's a black-and-white situation—a nutrient or a toxin. No gray area here, folks!

But fear not! Sian had a different perspective on circularity. Picture a world where we shape and mold natural nutrients, just like we do with plastic, into valuable things for us. But here's the kicker—without the toxins! We don't mess with the fundamental structure of those nutrients, so they can gracefully return to nature as nourishment for the next growth stage. Because hey, in nature, there's no such thing as waste. Everything is an opportunity for growth.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room—plastic. Oh boy, is it a game-changer or what? Plastic has this uncanny ability to make us confront the climate and plastic crises head-on. It's like a canary in the coal mine, tapping us on the shoulder, urging us to wake up. But let's not get it twisted—plastic will never fit into a circular model. We've gotten so used to plastic that we treat it like it's some element from the periodic table, but it's not! Plastic is a concoction of chemicals, and guess what? Some of them are downright toxic.

Just two weeks ago, she was in Brussels for an eye-opening event. Health scientists joined forces with industry leaders to discuss the impact of these toxic chemicals in plastic on human health. And guess what they discovered? We don't need more research! We already have thousands of reports telling us how harmful these chemicals can be. Mind-blowing, right? And don't even think for a second that recycling alone can save us from the plastic crisis. Even if we magically ramp up recycling rates, those chemicals won't vanish into thin air.

The Role of Government: Paving the Way for Sustainable Development

Hold on tight, because we're diving into a game-changing topic: the crucial role of government in shaping a sustainable future. Sian Sutherland, our esteemed expert, shared some mind-blowing insights during the event. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on these nuggets of wisdom.

Picture this: Industries regulating themselves and trade agreements magically solving our sustainability problems. Sounds nice, right? But here's the reality check—it's not working! Reports like "Breaking the Plastic Wave" have been floating around, yet even if every government and industry commitment succeeds, we'd only see a meager 7% reduction in plastic pollution by 2030. Yikes!

So, what's the deal? Voluntary actions won't cut it, my friends. We need laws, regulations, and fiscal policies to level the playing field for industries. Expecting them to make transformative changes on their own is like chasing rainbows.

But fear not, there's a glimmer of hope—the European Union (EU). These trailblazers are united, unleashing directives like the Single-Use Plastics Directive and game-changing packaging regulations. With the EU's economic might, their actions can inspire the world to revolutionize their sustainability practices.

Let's give a round of applause to France too. They mean business! They've already implemented regulations mandating that certain-sized supermarkets provide at least 20% refill options. Talk about normalizing refills and reducing single-use madness!

But it's not just about plastic, my friends. It's about breaking free from the chains of single-use everything. We must reimagine resource usage and embrace a circular system. Sian gave a special shout-out to Chantal, who's doing extraordinary things with paper, turning it into something truly circular. Amazing, right?

So, here's the truth—we need our governments to step up and implement robust regulations that guide us toward a sustainable future. Together, we can unleash the power of government action and create a world of abundance and harmony with nature. It's time to rally behind the green superpowers of our governments and pave the way to a brighter, greener tomorrow.

The power is in your hands to make a difference. As you reflect on the pivotal role of government in driving sustainable development, take a moment to consider your choices. How can you contribute to the cause? What actions can you take to propel us towards a greener, more sustainable future?

Remember, every decision counts. Whether it's reducing your plastic consumption, supporting businesses with sustainable practices, or advocating for stronger environmental policies, your choices have the power to create ripples of change.

So, my friend, the time is now.

Embrace your role as a change-maker, and let's embark on this journey together. Together, we can build a world that future generations will be proud to inherit. 

Let's leave a legacy of sustainability and inspire others to follow suit. The choice is yours. Will you answer the call?

Vera

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