Latest news with #WorldDay
Herald Malaysia
4 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
World Environment Day 2025: #BeatPlasticPollution
The Republic of Korea hosts the 2025 edition of this World Day as the theme challenges everyone to combat the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution. Jun 06, 2025 World Environment Day observed in Bangladesh (ANSA) By Kielce GussieJune 5 marks World Environment Day – the largest international day dedicated to the environment. Created in 1973 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it has become the biggest environmental outreach, involving the global community across 150 countries in finding solutions to today's most pressing environmental challenges. #BeatPlasticPollution Each year, one country hosts the global celebrations to commemorate the day, and in 2025, they are being held in the Republic of Korea. The theme for 2025 is #BeatPlasticPollution as plastics have polluted almost every aspect of life—seeping into our water, food, and bodies. World Environment Day joins the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution to rally worldwide communities to adopt and support impactful solutions to this issue. This year's World Day points out the growing scientific evidence of the effects of plastic pollution in our world and is centered on garnering support for actions that 'refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink the use of plastics.' A trifecta of problems The use and pollution of plastics amplify the harsh impacts of the triple planetary crisis: climate change; nature, land and biodiversity loss; and pollution and waste. Around the world, about 11 million tons of plastic waste pour into water ecosystems each year. Microplastics load up in the ground soil from sewage and landfills as a result of the use of plastics in agricultural products. Every year, the social and environmental cost of plastic pollution fluctuates between $300 billion and $600 billion. Simple strategy? For decades, plastic pollution has been a major concern as plastics are produced and consumed at an unsustainable rate, which puts the world's health, economic, and social well-being at risk. But, it is also one of the most fixable of the environmental challenges. The UNEP urges governments, companies, and individuals to take on a different approach – one that looks at the 'full life cycle of plastics', from production to consumption to waste management. The goal is to replace harmful, unnecessary plastics with sustainable options that do not negatively impact the environment. A global pact for change But this year's theme is not simply a catchphrase. Rather, it is the continuation of a mission begun in 2022. Three years ago, at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly, a resolution was adopted that develops an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the aquatic environment. The 2025 World Environment Day also comes as countries continue to work towards establishing this global treaty dedicated to ending plastic pollution. In November 2024, the Republic of Korea hosted the first part of the fifth session of negotiations to develop a plastic pollution treaty. The second part will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from August 5-14.--Vatican News
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
GOP Plan to Raise Retirement Age to 69 Will Cost 257 Million Americans $420K in Benefits for Just 1-Year Fix
The Republican Study Committee wants to raise the full retirement age to 69 by the year 2033. This would affect people who are currently between 30 and 55 years old the most. The Congressional Budget Office says this change would cause people to lose $420,000 in lifetime Social Security benefits. That means people would lose about $3,500 every year during retirement, which usually lasts around 30 years. This is a 13% cut per year, and will impact 257 million Americans, as per reports. The new plan would start in 2026 and end by 2033, in just 8 years. But in 1983, the retirement age went from 65 to 67 very slowly, over 35 years. People in hard jobs like construction, healthcare, and service work will suffer more because they have shorter life spans, they rely heavily on Social Security, and they can't work into their late 60s due to physical demands, as per the World Day report. Experts say many older workers won't be able to keep working, so they'll try to get disability benefits instead. That could overload the Social Security disability system, causing a new crisis. The plan doesn't think about different jobs and how hard they are on people's bodies. Even with all these cuts, the CBO says the plan would only delay Social Security's money problems by 1 year, from 2034 to 2035. That means this plan won't fix Social Security long-term, and more changes would still be needed. Other countries like Sweden and Denmark tie retirement age to life expectancy, so it adjusts automatically and slowly. The U.S. could remove the $160,200 income cap on payroll taxes. That would make wealthy people pay Social Security tax on all their income, not just up to that limit. These ideas would raise money without cutting benefits for regular people, as per reports. Live Events People should recalculate their retirement savings assuming Social Security benefits will be lower. Financial planners suggest increasing your 401 (k) savings by 2-3% to make up for the cuts. Also think about saving money through Roth IRAs, Health Savings Accounts, and other investments, not just depending on Social Security, as stated in the report by World Day. This whole situation shows a big problem, most Americans depend on Social Security as their main retirement income. Because of the aging population and math, the government must either cut benefits, raise taxes, or both. Politicians might compromise later with a mix of ideas, but you shouldn't wait, it's up to individuals to prepare now. FAQs Q1. What is the GOP's new retirement plan? They want people to retire at age 69 starting in 2033. This means many workers may get less money from Social Security. Q2. How much money could people lose from the GOP's new plan? People aged 30-55 today may lose up to $420,000 in lifetime Social Security payments, says the CBO. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
