How the Global Plastics Treaty Can Inspire Kids to Take Action
By Kaitlin Pal and Ashoke Mohanraj
Every day, millions of plastic items like straws, wrappers, bags, and water bottles are thrown away. Many of these items end up in our oceans, where they break down into tiny pieces called microplastics. Dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine animals sometimes mistake plastic for food, which makes them very sick. Scientists have even found microplastics inside humans, raising real concerns about our own health.
Dolphin Dude Season 1 Poster; Plastics
It’s a big problem, but the good news is that the world has been working together to find big solutions. Since 2022, countries have been negotiating something called the Global Plastics Treaty, a global agreement designed to tackle plastic pollution at every stage of its life cycle: from how plastics are made, to how they’re used, and finally how they’re disposed of.
The goal? To end plastic pollution by promoting reusable materials, limiting plastic production, and holding corporations accountable for the waste they create.
This past August, negotiations wrapped up, but unfortunately, not everyone could agree on how strong the rules should be. Some countries, especially those that produce the most plastic, wanted to focus only on waste management rather than reducing production. Others, including Canada, pushed for stronger measures: limiting production, banning harmful chemicals in items like food packaging and toys, and ensuring that Indigenous knowledge and rights are respected throughout the process.
Even though the treaty didn’t reach a final agreement this time, there’s still reason for hope! For the first time, nearly every country agreed that plastic pollution is a global crisis that demands legally binding action. Scientists, businesses, and community leaders around the world have built a strong foundation for when talks resume, and families everywhere have started paying more attention to the plastics they use every day.
Every small action counts. Whether it’s teaching kids to bring reusable water bottles, hosting a classroom cleanup day, or simply talking about where our trash goes, families and teachers can help keep this momentum going. Together, we can raise a generation that knows caring for our planet isn’t just cool, it’s necessary!
JOIN DOLPHIN DUDE’S MISSION TO END PLASTIC POLLUTION
The first season of Dolphin Dude dives into one of the biggest challenges our planet faces: Plastic Pollution. The very first episode explores the Global Plastics Treaty, helping kids understand not just the dangers of plastic waste, but also the real-world solutions that leaders are working on today.
Through Dolphin Dude, we empower kids to learn, care, and take action — showing that while plastic pollution is a serious problem, hope is always possible when we work together!
We’ve created a full lesson plan designed to spark discussion, provide helpful resources, and include engaging activities to help kids explore the topic in depth. The plan comes with a fun, hands-on Plastic Pledge Passport! Teachers and parents can download it for free and encourage kids to track their plastic-free actions at home or in the classroom. Because plastic shouldn’t travel the world — our actions should!
Download your lesson plan and Plastic Pledge Passport and start your journey toward a cleaner planet, and share your impact on social media. Let’s inspire a wave of change, one plastic-free step at a time!
Dolphin Dude - Plastic Pledge Passport
The Plastics Treaty Lesson Plan
