"There is no doubt that a new element of plastic pollution has been added to our challenge to protect the oceans as a result of the pandemic" Peter Thomson told Lusa, considering that although tourism and aviation have been sectors heavily affected by the pandemic, the which reduced activity in coastal areas, the pandemic caused new objects to end up in the oceans.The annual production and volume of plastic waste doubled between 2000 and 2019, according to an OECD report released in February that warns of pollution of rivers and oceans and the carbon footprint.The covid-19 pandemic and the impact it had on economic activity put a stop to the growth trend in the use of plastic, which fell by 2.2% in 2020, but, on the other hand, disposable plastic waste increased.This increase was related to medical and personal protective equipment, but also to the plastics used in 'take-away', which replaced trips to restaurants, and in packaging for 'online' purchases, which satisfied the needs of customers while stores were closed.Peter Thomson also recalled that, in addition to plastic, the "main enemy of the well-being of the ocean" is the growing level of greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activity, which cause phenomena such as acidification and the increase in water temperature. of the oceans, which has serious impacts on marine ecosystems.The UN special envoy for the oceans also warned that without a drastic reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, before the end of this century almost all the world's coral reefs will be threatened with extinction.Born in Fiji, Peter Thomson told Lusa that he has seen the deterioration of the seas with his own eyes, noting that those who live on islands and in coastal areas "are on the front lines of the devastating impact" of climate change on the oceans.Peter Thomson also recalled that small island developing States are the main victims of climate change and its impact on the oceans, as they generate less than 1% of greenhouse gas emissions, but are highly vulnerable to impacts such as coastal erosion, coral bleaching and loss of biodiversity.Notifications blocked by browser