As negotiations entered their second week Monday for a global agreement to tackle plastic pollution, an eye-catching sculpture made of plastic waste was unveiled in front of the United Nations office, reminding delegates of their urgent responsibility.
The sculpture, titled “Thinker’s Burden,” was created by Canadian artist and activist Benjamin Von Wong along with his team. Inspired by Auguste Rodin’s famous “The Thinker,” the nearly 6-meter tall artwork features a male figure sitting atop the Earth, holding a child and clutching plastic bottles. A DNA strand entwines the figures, symbolizing the harmful impact of plastic pollution on health.
Throughout the talks, volunteers have been adding plastic waste to the installation to illustrate the growing environmental cost of delay. On Monday, Von Wong climbed a ladder to weave plastic bottles through the DNA strand and placed a plastic toy car at the base.
“By the end of this week, the sculpture will be nearly drowned in plastics, but we hope a strong and ambitious treaty will help solve this crisis once and for all,” Von Wong said.
The project was funded largely by the Australian Minderoo Foundation, with plastic waste collected by local nonprofits and community groups.
Maria Ivanova, co-director of the Plastics Center at Northeastern University and an expert in international environmental governance, said the sculpture “wakes you up.”
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“People don’t change their minds because of facts, but because of feelings. This is where art plays a critical role in pushing policy forward,” she added.
The sculpture attracted delegates and visitors alike, with many stopping to discuss the artwork and take photos. Michael Bonser, head of the Canadian delegation, described it as “extraordinarily profound,” adding, “It reminds us daily of what we need to achieve in the negotiations — a deal that can reverse the plastic pollution trend. It will be challenging, but possible.”
About 3,700 participants from 184 countries and over 600 organizations are engaged in the talks, aiming to finalize the first legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution.
Despite the urgency, many expressed concern over the slow pace and growing disagreements. European Commissioner Jessika Roswall emphasized the need for swift results, saying, “It’s time to get results.”
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, remained hopeful, stating, “The treaty is still within reach. The window remains open to conclude an agreement here in Geneva.”
Source: Agency