Washington, DC (October 24, 2024) - Today, WWF released a new video that uses wry humor to demonstrate the pervasiveness of plastic pollution, especially in the food we eat, ahead of the crucial final round of negotiations for a legally-binding global plastic pollution treaty, otherwise known as INC-5.
In the video titled "Daniel's Kitchen", Korean-American actor Daniel Dae Kim initially seems to be teaching viewers how to make gimbap, a popular Korean dish. But as the scenes unfold, we see that the gimbap's key ingredients, which include seaweed, rice, carrots and eggs, have been replaced with everyday plastic waste that can now be found everywhere, such as a trash can liner, toothpaste caps, single-use plastic cups, and parts of a plastic lid.
It's a grim reminder of the ubiquity of plastic, as well as how disposable these plastic items have become in daily life. When they break down into microplastics, they can leak into our natural environment and even seep into the food we eat.
The video is part of WWF's six-year-long campaign to address the worsening plastic pollution crisis through a binding global treaty. With just weeks before the final negotiations, it's paramount that the public put pressure on their governments to secure an ambitious and effective treaty.
"I participated in this campaign to raise awareness about the serious impacts of plastic pollution on both humans and nature. I hope this important message contributes to reaching a historic milestone in this negotiation," said Daniel Dae Kim, a Korean-American actor, known for his roles on popular TV series such as "Lost" and "Hawaii 5-0".
WWF calls on the public to participate in WWF's flagship Global Vote call-to-action, which will capture and channel the public demand for a robust and ambitious treaty and will be handed to decision-makers at INC-5.
When countries agreed in 2022 to negotiate the first-ever legally-binding global treaty to end plastic pollution, they also agreed on a deadline of December 2024. INC-5 marks the fifth and final round of negotiations, with the previous four rounds resulting in stalemates, stemming from opposition from oil-producing countries. The previous negotiations produced little consensus on what should be included in the treaty and how it should be implemented.
WWF calls on countries at INC-5 to secure a treaty that includes four binding global measures across the entire plastic lifecycle:
- Global bans and phase-outs of the most harmful and problematic plastic products and chemicals;
- Global product design requirements to ensure all plastic we continue to produce is safe to reuse and recycle as part of a global non-toxic circular economy;
- Aligning financial flows and resources to support nations in a just transition;
- Future-proofing the treaty through mechanisms that guarantee strengthening over time.
"Plastic pollution is everywhere - from waste washing up on our shores to microplastics finding their way into our food systems - the scale and scope of this crisis knows no bounds," said Erin Simon Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business, WWF-US. "Next month, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle this problem once and for all. As world leaders gather for the final round of the plastic treaty negotiations, the voice of the majority calling for action must rise above the objections of the minority intent on stifling ambition."
Busan, where Kim was born, will host INC-5 from November 25 to December 1. South Korea generates significant plastic pollution, rising to 430 million tons in 2021, its highest rate at the time. South Korea's high plastic consumption and Kim's desire to contribute positively to a potentially historic event held in his hometown were what drew the actor to make the WWF video while filming in South Korea.
"As the host of INC-5, the South Korean government is well-positioned to demonstrate critical and effective leadership that can ensure all countries make the right decision. We designed this collaborative campaign with Daniel Dae Kim to emphasize that the negotiators' decisions will have a significant impact on the health and survival of all people living on Earth," said Minhye Park, Executive Director, WWF-Korea.
