G-20 environment ministers meet about plastic in oceans

KARIUZAWA, Japan — Environment ministers from the Group of 20 on Sunday recognized an urgent need to tackle the marine plastic litter that is choking the world’s oceans, but failed to agree on concrete measures or targets to phase out single-use plastics.

More than 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans every year, equivalent to a garbage truck’s worth every minute, and by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans by weight than fish, scientists predict.

But agreeing on a common approach to the problem has proved problematic, with the United States blocking demands to set a global target to significantly reduce or phase out single-use plastics.

“Marine litter and especially marine plastic litter and microplastics, is a matter requiring urgent attention given its adverse impacts on marine ecosystems, livelihoods and industries including fisheries, tourism and shipping, and potentially on human health,” environment ministers from the G-20 said on Sunday.

The ministers said they were “determined to drive measures to resolve this issue,” while also noting that “plastics play an important role in our economies and daily lives.”

But they failed to agree on any firm, shared commitments, talking only of “encouraging voluntary actions” by G-20 members “in accordance with national policies.”

The issue of marine plastic pollution has become an increasing hot diplomatic topic over the past year, and there have been calls for collective action at G-20, Group of Seven and United Nations forums.

By a wide majority — 73% to 24% — Americans favor giving legal status to young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children, so-called Dreamers. Allocating more agents to the border was a more popular choice than imposing tariffs.

On tariffs, nearly eight in 10 of those polled had concerns that things they buy will be more expensive.

A majority, 57 percent, said they were optimistic about the U.S. economy. Hebrew for “Trump Heights,” will encourage an expansion.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” said U.S. Ambassador David Friedman.

ASHRAF SHAZLY/GETTY-AFP In Sudan: Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, center right, also known as Himediti, deputy head of Sudan’s ruling Transitional Military Council and commander of the Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries, waves a baton as he rides in the back of a vehicle.