Latest news with #Time100
The Guardian
05-08-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
UN plastic pollution talks must result in ambitious treaty, leading expert says
Delegates at the UN plastic pollution treaty talks in Geneva must secure an ambitious global agreement so they can look future generations in the eye, one of the world's leading marine litter experts has said. Prof Richard Thompson, who was named one of Time's 100 most influential people this year for his groundbreaking work on plastic pollution, said decisive action was needed to protect human health and the planet. He spoke on Monday as delegates from more than 170 countries prepared to meet in Geneva to bridge what have become deep divisions over whether limits on plastic production are included in a final treaty. Last November, talks in Busan, South Korea, to secure a global treaty to end plastic pollution broke down without agreement. More than 100 countries support legally binding global reductions in plastic production and the phasing out of certain chemicals and single-use plastic products. But nations with large fossil fuel industries such as Saudi Arabia, China, Russia and Iran oppose restrictions on plastic production, and are pushing for an agreement focused on better management and recycling of waste. The US under President Biden and now President Trump has indicated it is more supportive of a lower ambition treaty which does not include production cuts. The scale of plastic production and its threat to public health and the environment was underlined once more on Monday when a new report warned that the world is in a 'plastics crisis' which is causing disease and death from infancy to old age and is responsible for at least $1.5tn (£1.1tn) a year in health-related damages. The huge acceleration of plastic production, which has increased by more than 200 times since 1950 and is expected to almost triple again to more than a billion tonnes a year by 2060, has been fuelled largely by surges in the production of single-use plastics, the majority of which are used for packaging, drink and food containers. Thompson, head of the international marine litter research unit at Plymouth University, first identified and coined the phrase microplastics to describe how tiny bits of plastic accumulate in marine environments. Attending the Geneva talks as coordinator of the scientists coalition for an effective plastics treaty, he said an ambitious treaty would be a gamechanger for the planet and future generations. 'It is now clear that plastic pollution contaminates our planet from the poles to the equator,' he said. 'We find microplastics in our deepest oceans and our highest mountains. There is evidence of human exposure to them from the womb, throughout our entire lifetime. 'It is really clear to protect future generations we need to take decisive action now on a treaty to address plastic pollution. So I really hope negotiators can look the next generation in the eye and say they acted decisively.' If agreed, a global plastics treaty would be an international, legally binding agreement designed to end plastic pollution by setting targets that nations would need to meet to try to end the 11m tonnes of plastic pollution that are dumped in the ocean every year. But since 2022, when the UN first secured an agreement from 173 countries to develop a legally binding treaty to cut plastic pollution, five separate negotiations have failed to secure a final text to sign. The initial agreement was for a treaty to address the whole life cycle of plastics. But increasing numbers of plastics industry lobbyists have attended each round of talks to push back against production cuts. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion In Busan last year, 220 fossil fuel and chemical industry representatives – more plastic producers than ever – were represented, including 16 lobbyists from the plastics industry attending as part of country delegations. 'There are those countries that consider the economic threat because their business-as-usual is threatened by this,' said Thompson. 'But the mandate that brings negotiators from 170 countries to Geneva this week sets out that plastic pollution is harmful. It is really clear that business-as-usual is not sustainable.' Globally only 9% of plastic produced is recycled, and Thompson, whose work directly led to the ban on microbeads in cosmetic products in the UK, said the evidence showed that plastic production needed to be reduced to tackle plastic pollution. He said a treaty needed to ensure only plastic that was essential to society was produced, the thousands of chemicals used in plastic were reduced, and that all the plastic produced in future was sustainable, which involved moving to reuse and a circular economy in plastic. All of that, he said, would effectively reduce the amount of plastic produced globally. Graham Forbes, Greenpeace's head of delegation to the treaty negotiations, said the science, the moral imperative and the economics were clear. 'Uncontrolled plastic production is a death sentence. The only way to end plastic pollution is to stop making so much plastic. 'World leaders must seize the opportunity in Geneva, stand up to the fossil fuel industry and take humanity's first step towards ending the plastics crisis and create a healthier, safer future for all.'
The Guardian
05-08-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
UN plastic pollution talks must result in ambitious treaty, leading expert says
Delegates at the UN plastic pollution treaty talks in Geneva must secure an ambitious global agreement so they can look future generations in the eye, one of the world's leading marine litter experts has said. Prof Richard Thompson, who was named one of Time's 100 most influential people this year for his groundbreaking work on plastic pollution, said decisive action was needed to protect human health and the planet. He spoke on Monday as delegates from more than 170 countries prepared to meet in Geneva to bridge what have become deep divisions over whether limits on plastic production are included in a final treaty. Last November, talks in Busan, South Korea, to secure a global treaty to end plastic pollution broke down without agreement. More than 100 countries support legally binding global reductions in plastic production and the phasing out of certain chemicals and single-use plastic products. But nations with large fossil fuel industries such as Saudi Arabia, China, Russia and Iran oppose restrictions on plastic production, and are pushing for an agreement focused on better management and recycling of waste. The US under President Biden and now President Trump has indicated it is more supportive of a lower ambition treaty which does not include production cuts. The scale of plastic production and its threat to public health and the environment was underlined once more on Monday when a new report warned that the world is in a 'plastics crisis' which is causing disease and death from infancy to old age and is responsible for at least $1.5tn (£1.1tn) a year in health-related damages. The huge acceleration of plastic production, which has increased by more than 200 times since 1950 and is expected to almost triple again to more than a billion tonnes a year by 2060, has been fuelled largely by surges in the production of single-use plastics, the majority of which are used for packaging, drink and food containers. Thompson, head of the international marine litter research unit at Plymouth University, first identified and coined the phrase microplastics to describe how tiny bits of plastic accumulate in marine environments. Attending the Geneva talks as coordinator of the scientists coalition for an effective plastics treaty, he said an ambitious treaty would be a gamechanger for the planet and future generations. 'It is now clear that plastic pollution contaminates our planet from the poles to the equator,' he said. 'We find microplastics in our deepest oceans and our highest mountains. There is evidence of human exposure to them from the womb, throughout our entire lifetime. 'It is really clear to protect future generations we need to take decisive action now on a treaty to address plastic pollution. So I really hope negotiators can look the next generation in the eye and say they acted decisively.' If agreed, a global plastics treaty would be an international, legally binding agreement designed to end plastic pollution by setting targets that nations would need to meet to try to end the 11m tonnes of plastic pollution that are dumped in the ocean every year. But since 2022, when the UN first secured an agreement from 173 countries to develop a legally binding treaty to cut plastic pollution, five separate negotiations have failed to secure a final text to sign. The initial agreement was for a treaty to address the whole life cycle of plastics. But increasing numbers of plastics industry lobbyists have attended each round of talks to push back against production cuts. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion In Busan last year, 220 fossil fuel and chemical industry representatives – more plastic producers than ever – were represented, including 16 lobbyists from the plastics industry attending as part of country delegations. 'There are those countries that consider the economic threat because their business-as-usual is threatened by this,' said Thompson. 'But the mandate that brings negotiators from 170 countries to Geneva this week sets out that plastic pollution is harmful. It is really clear that business-as-usual is not sustainable.' Globally only 9% of plastic produced is recycled, and Thompson, whose work directly led to the ban on microbeads in cosmetic products in the UK, said the evidence showed that plastic production needed to be reduced to tackle plastic pollution. He said a treaty needed to ensure only plastic that was essential to society was produced, the thousands of chemicals used in plastic were reduced, and that all the plastic produced in future was sustainable, which involved moving to reuse and a circular economy in plastic. All of that, he said, would effectively reduce the amount of plastic produced globally. Graham Forbes, Greenpeace's head of delegation to the treaty negotiations, said the science, the moral imperative and the economics were clear. 'Uncontrolled plastic production is a death sentence. The only way to end plastic pollution is to stop making so much plastic. 'World leaders must seize the opportunity in Geneva, stand up to the fossil fuel industry and take humanity's first step towards ending the plastics crisis and create a healthier, safer future for all.'
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Myles Smith lifts lid on ‘crazy' Glastonbury and reveals ‘wild' backstage antics on Ed Sheeran's tour
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MYLES SMITH's feet haven't touched the ground since the release of his breakthrough EP You Promised Me A Lifetime last year. In the last few months alone, the Luton-born singer has been named as one of Time 100's most influential people, picked up a Brit Award, supported Ed Sheeran on his world tour and performed a huge show at Glastonbury. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 9 Myles Smith's feet haven't touched the ground since the release of his breakthrough EP You Promised Me A Lifetime Credit: Shutterstock Editorial As I chatted with him on site at Worthy Farm an hour after he finished, he had already filmed a segment for CBeebies kids' TV and was on his way to be interviewed by The One Show at the Park Stage. 'Physically, my feet haven't been on the ground a lot,' Myles told me with a grin. 'It's been crazy. 'I've toured the world two times in the last year. 'Mentally for me though, it's about being in the moment and enjoying the fact I'm getting to do the thing I've wanted since I was ten years old.' The power of his hits including my favourites Stargazing, Nice To Meet Ya and Wait For You, are propelling Myles to stardom. 'I thought Time 100 had made a mistake,' he said with a laugh. 'Maybe it's actually Time 1,000. 'I'm among Nobel Prize winners and scientists who have figured out the atom, which is pretty cool. I'm just really grateful for all of the work I've been doing and all of the messaging I've been trying to get out about funding in schools for music and being able to support grassroots venues. 'It's about really changing the infrastructure landscape of music in the UK and the world. Brit Awards 2025: Meet the Top Nominees 'I think I've gone a long way in helping with that.' Myles had to leave Glastonbury straight after his set to catch a flight to Stuttgart, to rejoin Ed on his tour. Of his Woodsies stage performance, he joked: 'It was the perfect balance of overwhelming and heat stroke. 'It's so f***ing hot.' Myles will be performing at Ed's three homecoming shows at Portman Road in Ipswich. He said: 'Backstage it's going to be rocking. 'It's going to be wild. 'We've been in France, Germany and everywhere the last few weeks, and to come home and do it all again is incredible. 'To do it with the ginger legend himself is even better.' SQUAD BID GETS KELLY ON SIDE FORMER Lioness Kelly Smith is backing a campaign to get more girls into football. She has teamed up with EE for its Everyone Needs A Squad initiative to coincide with the start of the Women's European Championships that get under way today. 9 Kelly Smith has teamed up with EE for its Everyone Needs A Squad initiative Credit: Supplied As a youngster I played with the brilliant England rugby star Emily Scarratt and loved being part of a team. New research has revealed 93 per cent of girls aged between 13 and 18 think being within a football set-up helps young women cope with the pressures of social media. I couldn't agree more. Grassroots football is so important and we need to get behind it. DJ VERNON KAY missed his Radio 2 show yesterday after being stuck on a train. Gary Davies was forced to step in and cover for the presenter. His Chiltern Railways service into the capital broke down and lost air con, only for a second train to also develop a fault. Vern wrote on Instagram: 'Send deodorant and coffee.' Thanks a bunch Rita RITA ORA might have been partying non-stop at Glastonbury – but she didn't forget what's important to her. The Heat singer wore this tiny bikini and huge belt paired with boots during one afternoon at the festival. 9 Rita Ora wore this tiny bikini and huge belt paired with boots during one afternoon at Glastonbury Credit: Rita Ora/Instagram She took time out to send a message and massive bunch of flowers to Glaswegian rising star Nyree Huyser. Rita, who mentored her on The Voice Australia, made the gesture to celebrate her two homecoming gigs in Scotland over the weekend. Nyree narrowly missed out on the 2023 final after being picked by Rita to be in her top three. It's not the first time Rita has been praised for not turning her back on talent show singers. X Factor winner Louisa Johnson also spoke of Rita's dedication to helping up-and-coming stars after she won the ITV show in 2015. Rita got her big break after making tea for staff at a record label, so she knows about the graft and dedication needed to make it big. THE secret fiancé of AJ Odudu has been revealed as an American art director called Peter Gibson. She announced the surprise engagement last month and it's now emerged the TV host has been making visits to the US to see him, although he is planning a move to the UK. The Big Brother star is now in Seattle, while they plan their future together. ISLAND EP IS A JOY FOR MAE MAE MULLER is returning to music with an impressive EP called My Island. I've had an early listen of the five-track project, which will be out on July 18, and it's the best music she's ever made. 9 Mae Muller is returning to music with an impressive EP called My Island Credit: Splash The singer, who represented the UK at Eurovision in 2023 with I Wrote A Song, said: 'I want people to feel the joy. 'Because that's what it's been for me – finding the joy again.' Meanwhile, Australian musician G FLIP has just announced that new album Dream Ride will be out on September 5, preceded by the single In Another Life on July 10. Miley wares it well MILEY CYRUS gave Naomi Campbell a run for her money in the supermodel stakes when they teamed up for her latest video. The pair, wearing black bodysuits, are in an abandoned warehouse for the visuals to Every Girl You've Ever Loved. 9 Miley Cyrus gave Naomi Campbell a run for her money in the supermodel stakes when they teamed up for her latest video 9 The pair, wearing black bodysuits, are in an abandoned warehouse for the visuals to Every Girl You've Ever Loved 9 Miley and Naomi together in the music video 9 The track is the latest to be released from Miley's album Something Beautiful It is the latest to be released from Miley's album Something Beautiful, and will form part of the companion film of the same name. It features videos to all 13 tracks and will be available to stream on Disney+ from July 30. They'll be hoping the new clip will help turn around the success of the record, because despite Naomi and Miley teaming up for a signing of their single in London last month, it has failed to chart. Perhaps Naomi should stick to the catwalk after all. Olivia's no big Ed OLIVIA RODRIGO is getting a name for herself as one of the most laid-back people in the music industry. And it's not hard to see why. 9 Olivia Rodrigo is getting a name for herself as one of the most laid-back people in the music industry Credit: Getty My insiders backstage at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park tell me organisers pulled out all the stops for Olivia and her special guest Ed Sheeran to make her feel relaxed on Friday night. 'Olivia's area had been decorated with wildflower plants to make it feel relaxing and summery for her and Ed,' my mole said. 'They even infused her water with strawberries to suit her tastes. 'But Olivia didn't need anything special. 'She just chowed down on boiled eggs and toast before the show and hung out with Ed. 'Her team arrived in ten blacked-out cars with a massive wardrobe of clothing but Olivia just chose one outfit and decided not to change again. 'Everyone was talking about how lovely and low key both her and Ed were.'
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Myles Smith lifts lid on ‘crazy' Glastonbury and reveals ‘wild' backstage antics on Ed Sheeran's tour
MYLES SMITH's feet haven't touched the ground since the release of his breakthrough EP You Promised Me A Lifetime last year. In the last few months alone, the Luton-born singer has been named as one of Time 100's most influential people, picked up a Brit Award, supported Ed Sheeran on his world tour and performed a huge show at Glastonbury. As I chatted with him on site at Worthy Farm an hour after he finished, he had already filmed a segment for CBeebies kids' TV and was on his way to be interviewed by The One Show at the Park Stage. 'Physically, my feet haven't been on the ground a lot,' Myles told me with a grin. 'It's been crazy. 'I've toured the world two times in the last year. 'Mentally for me though, it's about being in the moment and enjoying the fact I'm getting to do the thing I've wanted since I was ten years old.' The power of his hits including my favourites Stargazing, Nice To Meet Ya and Wait For You, are propelling Myles to stardom. 'I thought Time 100 had made a mistake,' he said with a laugh. 'Maybe it's actually Time 1,000. 'I'm among Nobel Prize winners and scientists who have figured out the atom, which is pretty cool. I'm just really grateful for all of the work I've been doing and all of the messaging I've been trying to get out about funding in schools for music and being able to support grassroots venues. 'It's about really changing the infrastructure landscape of music in the UK and the world. Brit Awards 2025: Meet the Top Nominees 'I think I've gone a long way in helping with that.' Myles had to leave Glastonbury straight after his set to catch a flight to Stuttgart, to rejoin Ed on his tour. Of his Woodsies stage performance, he joked: 'It was the perfect balance of overwhelming and heat stroke. 'It's so f***ing hot.' Myles will be performing at Ed's three homecoming shows at Portman Road in Ipswich. He said: 'Backstage it's going to be rocking. 'It's going to be wild. 'We've been in France, Germany and everywhere the last few weeks, and to come home and do it all again is incredible. 'To do it with the ginger legend himself is even better.' SQUAD BID GETS KELLY ON SIDE FORMER Lioness Kelly Smith is backing a campaign to get more girls into football. She has teamed up with EE for its Everyone Needs A Squad initiative to coincide with the start of the Women's European Championships that get under way today. 9 As a youngster I played with the brilliant England rugby star Emily Scarratt and loved being part of a team. New research has revealed 93 per cent of girls aged between 13 and 18 think being within a football set-up helps young women cope with the pressures of social media. I couldn't agree more. Grassroots football is so important and we need to get behind it. DJ VERNON KAY missed his Radio 2 show yesterday after being stuck on a train. Gary Davies was forced to step in and cover for the presenter. His Chiltern Railways service into the capital broke down and lost air con, only for a second train to also develop a fault. Vern wrote on Instagram: 'Send deodorant and coffee.' Thanks a bunch Rita RITA ORA might have been partying non-stop at Glastonbury – but she didn't forget what's important to her. The Heat singer wore this tiny bikini and huge belt paired with boots during one afternoon at the festival. 9 She took time out to send a message and massive bunch of flowers to Glaswegian rising star Nyree Huyser. Rita, who mentored her on The Voice Australia, made the gesture to celebrate her two homecoming gigs in Scotland over the weekend. Nyree narrowly missed out on the 2023 final after being picked by Rita to be in her top three. It's not the first time Rita has been praised for not turning her back on talent show singers. X Factor winner Louisa Johnson also spoke of Rita's dedication to helping up-and-coming stars after she won the ITV show in 2015. Rita got her big break after making tea for staff at a record label, so she knows about the graft and dedication needed to make it big. THE secret fiancé of AJ Odudu has been revealed as an American art director called Peter Gibson. She announced the surprise engagement last month and it's now emerged the TV host has been making visits to the US to see him, although he is planning a move to the UK. The Big Brother star is now in Seattle, while they plan their future together. ISLAND EP IS A JOY FOR MAE MAE MULLER is returning to music with an impressive EP called My Island. I've had an early listen of the five-track project, which will be out on July 18, and it's the best music she's ever made. 9 The singer, who represented the UK at Eurovision in 2023 with I Wrote A Song, said: 'I want people to feel the joy. Because that's what it's been for me – finding the joy again.' Meanwhile, Australian musician G FLIP has just announced that new album Dream Ride will be out on September 5, preceded by the single In Another Life on July 10. Miley wares it well MILEY CYRUS gave Naomi Campbell a run for her money in the supermodel stakes when they teamed up for her latest video. The pair, wearing black bodysuits, are in an abandoned warehouse for the visuals to Every Girl You've Ever Loved. 9 9 9 9 It is the latest to be released from Miley's album Something Beautiful, and will form part of the companion film of the same name. It features videos to all 13 tracks and will be available to stream on Disney+ from July 30. They'll be hoping the new clip will help turn around the success of the record, because despite Naomi and Miley teaming up for a signing of their single in London last month, it has failed to chart. Perhaps Naomi should stick to the catwalk after all. Olivia's no big Ed OLIVIA RODRIGO is getting a name for herself as one of the most laid-back people in the music industry. And it's not hard to see why. My insiders backstage at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park tell me organisers pulled out all the stops for Olivia and her special guest Ed Sheeran to make her feel relaxed on Friday night. 'Olivia's area had been decorated with wildflower plants to make it feel relaxing and summery for her and Ed,' my mole said. 'They even infused her water with strawberries to suit her tastes. 'But Olivia didn't need anything special. 'She just chowed down on boiled eggs and toast before the show and hung out with Ed. 'Her team arrived in ten blacked-out cars with a massive wardrobe of clothing but Olivia just chose one outfit and decided not to change again. 'Everyone was talking about how lovely and low key both her and Ed were.'
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ryan Reynolds opens up about the effect of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni case; calls the perspectives 'meaningless'
As the storm of the Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni case catches up with Hollywood and wrecks the peace, Ryan Reynolds has been a strong support to his wife. While he has maintained the calm, Reynolds has also been involved in the mess. Ryan Reynolds opens up about... Opening up about the repercussions, Ryan remarked on how he has been dealing with the gossip and how he perceives the public scrutiny. The 48-year-old shared an insight about whether his business has been affected by the change in the perspectives of the people. In an interview with Time100, Ryan said, 'I can read something that says, 'He should be drawn and quartered. I could read something that says I should win a Nobel Prize. Both are meaningless.' Regarding the ongoing challenge and his plans to navigate it, the Canadian actor said, 'None of us are comprised of our best moments. None of us are defined by our worst moments. We are something in the middle.' However, his approach towards career and personal life will depend on the accessibility and accountability of the parts. 'The people that I work with know me, so there's never a question of anything like that. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Spent 35 Years Crafting Jewelry—Now It's Almost Gone Artisan Weekly Read More Undo If you operate with some degree of core values and integrity, they're going to help you up. If you're an a–hole, they're not. And that's pretty simple,' the 'Deadpool' actor said about the confidence he has in the people around him. About Ryan Reynolds and backlash The public scrutiny started around Ryan Reynolds, when the 'Gossip Girl' alum claimed that her husband was kind enough to share his insights and change the script of Colleen Hoover's adaptation, 'It Ends with US.' While some fans appreciated his helping hand, others raised their eyebrows about his uncalled inputs. The criticism increased after his name started appearing in the Lively vs Baldoni case.
