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All you need to know about air pollution

While national and local interventions are largely focused on protecting lives and economies during COVID-19, management of hazardous waste is also essential to minimize long-term risks to human and environmental health. A new publication - Waste Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: from response to recovery - reviews current practices for managing waste from healthcare facilities, households and quarantine locations accommodating people with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.

Helping mitigate the impacts of an oil spill in Mauritius

Often close to world shipping lanes, small island and coastal nations are at particular risk from oil spills. Reliant on the marine environment and its biodiversity for tourism, fishing and aquaculture, islanders face an existential threat when oil spills happen in their waters. This is why the environmental crisis unfolding in Mauritius brings into focus the international legal framework in place to provide support when ship-source environmental disasters strike.

reports that Trash Hacks are small changes you can make that will help the planet in a big way. Becoming a Trash Hacker will help you to learn about waste, take action to tackle trash and inspire others to do the same. #TrashHack your life and reduce your impact. Be part of the solution.

2020 marks the third anniversary and is a milestone year for The .

Even though Coronavirus lockdowns around the globe have led to a dramatic 5% drop in greenhouse gas emissions, not all measures have had a positive impact on the environment. Our streets, beaches and ocean have been hit by a tidal wave of plastic waste including face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer bottles and food packaging. Global trade policies could play an important role in the fight against plastic pollution. Besides regulating the production and consumption of plastics, also urges governments and businesses to identify non-fossil fuel plastic substitutes.

A new published with the participation of the  outline how the global tourism sector can continue its fight against plastic pollution, while effectively facing the public health and hygiene challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations illustrate how reducing the plastic footprint, increasing the engagement of suppliers, working closer with waste service providers, and ensuring transparency on the actions taken, can significantly contribute to the responsible recovery of the tourism sector.

Worldwide, 80% of the wastewater is released to the environment untreated. Wastewater is often seen as a burden rather than a valuable resource.

It may be difficult to occupy your children as you also work from home. Here are some ideas to engage your children to teach them about the plastic pollution problem. 

Around 80% of the total plastic in the oceans comes from the land. Land-based plastic pollution is caused primarily by inappropriate management of waste of plastic packaging and short-lived products (single and multilayer food and beverage containers; cleaning and personal care product containers; food wrapping and trays; single-use cutlery; synthetic textiles and clothing; and so on). One way to approach the challenge is by transitioning to a circular economy, where the crucial concept is the designing out of waste, rather than trying to deal with waste at the end of the product’s life.

Most of the global population is exposed without their consent to hazardous substances and wastes that increase their likelihood of developing diseases and disabilities throughout their lives. Low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of pollution-related illnesses, with a disproportionate impact on children, women and the most vulnerable. Air pollution alone kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year.

Many people are not aware of just how much plastic is hidden in their beauty and personal care routine. Switch to plastic-free packaging where possible, pledge to stop using products that contain hidden plastics, and demand change from the beauty brands that use them.

The report is jointly authored by the , WaterAid, and .

UNEP has been supporting the Government of Iraq to clean up oil pollution and sustainably manage and recycle the huge volumes of debris created by the ISIL conflict.