IR Topic and Issue Exploration

Topic: Sustainable Living: Making the Path to a Sustainable Future.

Issue 1: Impact on the Environment by the Usage of “Single-Use” Plastics.
Proposed Question:
"Should individuals, countries, and international organizations unitedly address the negative
environmental effects of single-use plastics to promote sustainable living?"

Rationale for Choosing the Topic and Issue:

Given the widespread use of single-use plastics and their harmful effects on the environment,
addressing this issue is essential to living a sustainable lifestyle. In order to build a more
sustainable future, it is a must that this issue be recognized and addressed.

A Brief Exploration of the Causes and Consequences of the Issue:

Reasons:
- Single-use plastics are produced and consumed in large quantities.
- low knowledge of the effects on the environment.
- inadequate infrastructure for recycling.

The implications:
- ocean pollution, which endangers marine life.
- pollution of soil and effects on ecosystems on land.
- emissions of greenhouse gases during production.

A Brief Exploration of Different Perspectives (Personal, National, and Global):

Personal: People can reduce the amount of plastic they use by embracing reusable products,
raising awareness, and getting involved in neighborhood projects.

National: Policies that ban single-use plastics, fund recycling facilities, and encourage the
development of environmentally friendly substitutes can be put into place and enforced by
governments.

Global: To decrease plastic pollution, international cooperation can set standards for the handling
of plastic waste, exchange best practices, and promote technical advancements.
Possible Course of Actions:
1. Education and Awareness Campaigns: At the local, national, and international levels, carry
out educational programs that broaden the general awareness of the negative
environmental effects of single-use plastics.

2. Campaigning and support should be provided for the establishment of laws that restrict
both the manufacture and consumption of single-use plastics.

3. Research and Innovation: Support the development and acceptance of renewable resources
by encouraging research into environmentally friendly alternatives on behalf of single-use
plastics.

4. Encourage community involvement by arranging clean-up events, setting up recycling

programs, and establishing local initiatives to cut off plastic consumption.

Resources
- https://www.unep.org/plastic-pollution
- https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/plastics
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/topic/planetorplastic
- https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/8/3305
- https://www.oecd.org/ocean/topics/ocean-pollution/marine-plastics-pollution-
Indonesia.pdf
- https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/32898/NPWRSI.pdf?
sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/
wwf_impacts_of_plastic_pollution_on_biodiversity.pdf
- https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/everything-you-need-know-about-plastic-
pollution
- https://www.unep.org/publications-data
Topic: Sustainable Living
Issue 2: Impact on the Environment by the Usage of “Single-Use” Plastics.
Proposed Question: Is the use of single-use plastic a deterrent to sustainable living?

Rationale for Choosing the Topic and Issue:

Living sustainably is becoming increasingly important as we deal with the effects of resource
depletion, destruction of the environment, and climate change. Since they are so common and
damaging in modern society, single-use plastics play a major role in environmental problems. The
importance of addressing the effects of single-use plastics on the environment and investigating
the consequences for sustainable living is the reason this problem was chosen.

A Brief Exploration of the Causes and Consequences of the Issue:

Causes of use:
- Convenience: Single-use plastics are practical for temporary use and packaging.

- Cost: Single-use plastics are typically less expensive to produce and dispose of.

- Absence of Alternatives: There may occasionally be few or hard-to-find alternatives.

Consequences of use:
- Environmental Pollution: Land, river, and ocean pollution results from improper disposal.

- Impact on Wildlife: Because plastic is frequently mistaken for food, animals may eat it and
become endangered.

- Depletion of Resources: Energy consumption and resource depletion are caused by the
production of plastics.

A Brief Exploration of Different Perspectives (Personal, National, and Global):

Personal: Convenience vs. Mindfulness: People should compare the convenience of single-use
plastics against their commitment to the environment.

National: Policy and Regulation: Governments are essential in putting laws into place that lower
the usage of single-use plastics.
- Economic Impact: Because of financial concerns, industries that depend on single-use
plastics might be resistant to change.
Global: Collaborative Solutions: To solve a global issue such as plastic pollution, international
cooperation is necessary.
- Shared Responsibility: Developing nations may have a bigger burden when it comes to
coming up with solutions.

Possible Course of Actions:

Advocacy: Spread the word about the harm that single-use plastics do to the environment.

Legislative Actions: Encourage and support laws that limit or outlaw single-use plastics.

Innovation: Promote and fund the creation of sustainable, alternative materials.

Community Involvement: Encourage neighborhood projects and neighborhood-based campaigns to

cut back on plastic usage.

Potentially Reliable Sources of Information:

- https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/plastics
- https://wwf.fi/app/uploads/1/9/x/kgijncrqi8qcyxl7ty73qq/final-solving-plastics-
pollution-through-accountability-eng.pdf
- https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/chemicals-waste/what-we-do/one-plastics-initiative
- https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/global-efforts-show-progress-
plastic-pollution-possible-world
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/plastic-straws-ocean-trash-
environment
- https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters
- https://www.state.gov/u-s-actions-to-address-plastic-pollution/
- https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/
Draft_National_Strategy_to_Prevent_Plastic_Pollution.pdf