A Canadian artist’s giant sculpture in Geneva is serving as a stark reminder to world leaders of the urgent need to address plastic pollution. The “Thinker’s Burden” features a male figure cradling a baby and clutching plastic bottles, while surrounded by intertwining DNA strands.
As nations enter their second week of negotiations for a global accord on plastics pollution, Benjamin Von Wong’s artwork is being added to daily, symbolizing the growing cost of inaction. Over 3,700 people from 184 countries and over 600 organizations are working towards crafting the first global, legally binding treaty on plastics pollution.
The talks have seen progress, but some delegates feel that the pace needs to speed up. European Commissioner Jessika Roswall expressed concern about the lack of progress, while United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen remains optimistic, saying it’s still possible to agree on a treaty this week.
Art and activism are being harnessed as a tool to raise awareness and influence policy change. “People don’t change their minds because of facts, they do because of feelings,” said Maria Ivanova, an expert in international environmental governance. She highlights the crucial role art plays in shifting public opinion on policy issues.
The talks are scheduled to conclude this Thursday, with the hope that a strong and ambitious plastics treaty can be reached, ending plastic pollution once and for all.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/this-sculpture-at-the-un-is-covered-in-more-trash-each-day-as-nations-work-toward-ending-plastic-pollution