Welcome to Pacific Environment’s August newsletter! This month, we spotlight the urgent threat of black carbon driving rapid Arctic ice melt and the critical actions needed to stop it. We also share recent plastics wins and takeaways from the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Switzerland.
Read on for the latest news, insights and on-the-ground updates — plus ways you can support lasting climate solutions. Have questions or feedback? Let us know by replying to this email.
The Arctic is warming up to four times faster than the rest of the planet and shipping’s black carbon emissions are making the problem worse. Our latest report, On Thin Ice: Why black carbon demands urgent action, reveals how the rapid growth of Arctic shipping is speeding sea ice melt, threatening ecosystems, disrupting climate systems and endangering Indigenous and coastal communities. Yet after more than a decade of debate, the International Maritime Organization still hasn’t taken the simple step of requiring ships to burn cleaner fuels in Arctic waters. With shipping traffic up 108% in just over a decade, urgent action is needed now.
For more insight, read our companion blog where Arctic Policy Director Kay Brown explains what black carbon is, why it’s such a growing threat and the concrete steps global regulators must take now to curb its impact.
Read the full reportAs the final round of Global Plastics Treaty negotiations began in Geneva, Pacific Environment joined hundreds of citizens and civil society organizations outside the Place des Nations to demand an ambitious, legally-binding agreement. “Plastic is in our environment and inside of us. Humanity and the planet can’t afford anything less,” said Kristen McDonald, our Plastics Program senior director, urging global leaders to act decisively at this historic moment.
Learn morePacific Environment is proud to highlight the successful conclusion of a three-year partnership with GreenHub in Phu Yen, Vietnam. Working closely with communities, schools, businesses and government, GreenHub developed and helped implement the country’s first provincial roadmap to reduce single-use plastics. This community-centered approach has driven meaningful behavior change, improved waste sorting and paved the way for a sustainable, zero-waste future. Supporting this initiative reflects our commitment to cleaner oceans and healthier communities across Vietnam.
Read moreExplore some of our latest media highlights, op-eds and expert commentary featured in leading outlets.
The stakes are higher than ever — for the Arctic, our oceans and our planet. Pacific Environment’s team recently joined negotiators in Switzerland to push for a strong Global Plastics Treaty that protects communities and wildlife worldwide. But the fight isn’t over — your support helps us continue to defend the Arctic from plastic pollution and build a healthier, more sustainable future. Every gift makes a difference.
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