The governments They must execute initiatives, programs and increase investment aimed at caring for planet Earth within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Globally alone, an investment of $8.1 billion to face the planetary crisis by 2050, indicates the report “State of Finance for Nature”.
Dominican Republic it is clear. In 2021 he assigned RD$6,490 million to environmental spending, that is, 0.13% of the gross domestic product (GDP). The amount seems minimal, but if it is taken into account that in 2001 only RD$468 million were allocated, it is evident that during the last 20 years the item has been growing.
According to the data of the National Statistics Office (ONE), in 2020 it was set at RD$5,022 million; 2019 about RD$4,568 million, 2018 with RD$4,180 million and 2017 about RD$3,058 million. The increase in the amount could mean that the environmental problems worsen or that the State is executing practices to comply with the 2030 Agenda. This is one of the objectives of World Environment Day, celebrated since June 5, 1973, to sensitize the 8,000 million inhabitants about the importance of take care of ecosystems.
But is environmental protection an important issue? Just between the 20% and 45% of the population considers that environmental protection is relevant. Statista indicates that 45% of Brazilians express their concern for planet Earth, followed by Italy and Mexico with 44% and 41%, respectively. In smaller numbers, 36% Indonesians, 28% Nigerians, 27% Americans and 21% of the Saudi Arabian population.
Goals
The environmental pollution It is one of the problems that most affects human beings, which entails the responsibility to correct their faults so that future generations find a healthy planet.
During 2023, the motto is “No pollution by plastics”points out the United Nations Organization (UN), noting that 400 million tons of plastics are produced worldwide every year, with between 19 and 23 million tons ending up in rivers, lakes and seas.
An example of awareness is the filmmaker José María Cabral with “Plastic Island”. The documentary is a narrative journey of how plastic waste from landfills reaches river and lake flows until it flows into the sea. So far, the film production published on YouTube has recorded 1,622,528 visits and 13,000 likes and 1,338 comments.
A shift towards a circular economy can reduce the volume of plastics reaching the oceans by more than 80% by 2040, which will save US$70 billion for the global economy and create 700,000 jobs.
wealth generation
The waste Solid products are synonymous with income opportunities for the Dominican Republic, which sees plastic as a sustainable business, job creation and, at the same time, contribute to the circular economy. The “Plastic Manufacture” line consolidated sales of RD$45,332 million during 2020, 9.7% more than in 2019 (RD$41,315 million) and RD$8,280 million difference compared to 2018 (RD$37,052 million).
According to the study “Economic profile of the plastics industry in the Dominican Republic”, from 2015 to 2017, revenues showed an increase of 6.3%, going from RD$30,141 million to RD$32,052 million. In absolute terms it means RD$1,911 million.
Until December 2020, 190 companies dedicated to the activity of manufacturing plastic products were registered, which contributed to the generation of 11,556 jobs, says the report prepared by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM).