The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary 8th May 2024

Keeping a strong command of vocabulary is essential for aspirants to boost communication and the English language. We prepared the Hindu Editorial Vocabulary 8th May 2024 covering contextual meanings of difficult words.

The Hindu Editorial Vocab On Global Plastics Treaty

Plastic pollution cannot be ended by treaties, without investment in alternatives

The Global Plastics Treaty, an ambitious initiative involving at least 175 United Nations member nations to eliminate the use of plastics, concluded its fourth round of negotiations (the process of discussing something with someone in order to reach an agreement with them, or the discussions themselves) recently. The goal is to finalise a legal document by the end of 2024 with timelines by when countries must agree to curb plastic production, eliminate its uses that create wastage, ban certain chemicals used in its production and set targets for recycling. Unfortunately, an agreement (the situation in which people have the same opinion, or in which they approve of or accept something) is not in sight. There is yet another round of negotiations scheduled in Busan, South Korea this November. The primary hurdles are economic. Oil producing and refining countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United States, Russia, India and Iran are reluctant about hard deadlines to eliminate (to remove or take away someone or something) plastic production. A coalition of African countries, supported by several European nations, is in favour of a year, around 2040, to ensure that a timeline for reduction is in effect. There is also disagreement on whether contentious elements in the treaty should be decided on by a vote or consensus — the latter implying that every country has a veto. India’s opinion, other than being uncomfortable with binding targets, is that a legally binding instrument to end the plastic pollution must also address “… availability, accessibility (the fact of being able to be reached or obtained easily), affordability of alternatives including cost implications and specifying arrangements… for capacity building and technical assistance (to take action to help someone or support something), technology transfer, and financial assistance”. This language — and India is not the only proponent — is reminiscent of the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’ enshrined (to contain or keep in a place that is highly admired and respected) in climate talks. Under this, countries must have a common target but those more privileged (having or showing a special advantage) must support others and take on stricter targets themselves.

In the year that the plastics treaty was mooted, in 2022, India brought into effect the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021) that banned 19 categories of “single-use” plastics. It, however, does not include plastic bottles — even those less than 200 ml — and multi-layered packaging boxes (as in milk cartons). Moreover, even the ban on single-use plastic items is not uniformly enforced (to make people obey a law, or to make a particular situation happen or be accepted). nationally, with several outlets continuing to retail these goods. The global distribution of the plastic pollution is unequal with Brazil, China, India and the U.S. responsible for 60% of plastic waste, according to a report by the non-profit EA Earth Action. Much like how transitioning away from fossil fuel invites its own challenges, plastic pollution cannot be ended by merely signing treaties (a written agreement between two or more countries, formally approved and signed by their leaders). There needs to be much greater investment in alternative (An alternative plan or method is one that you can use if you do not want to use another one) products and making them affordable (not expensive) before realistic targets are decided upon.

The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary Wordlist 8th May 2024

Begin your journey to learn new words with the Hindu Editorial Vocabulary 8th May 2024. We prepare a list of difficult words with their meanings.

• Negotiations: The process of discussing something with someone in order to reach an agreement with them, or the discussions themselves.
• Agreement: The situation in which people have the same opinion, or in which they approve of or accept something.
• Eliminate: To remove or take away someone or something.
• Accessibility: The fact of being able to be reached or obtained easily.
• Assistance: To take action to help someone or support something.
• Enshrined: To contain or keep in a place that is highly admired and respected.
• Privileged: Having or showing a special advantage.
• Enforced: To make people obey a law, or to make a particular situation happen or be accepted.
• Treaties: A written agreement between two or more countries, formally approved and signed by their leaders.
• Alternative: An alternative plan or method is one that you can use if you do not want to use another one.
• Affordable: Not Expensive.

The Hindu Vocab Master 8th May with Synonyms & Antonyms

Know synonyms and antonyms of difficult words in Hindu Vocab Master on 8th May 2024.