UN issues dire warning on the deadly effects of pollution

Billions of tiny plastic beads, known as nurdles, have been washing up on beaches in the north of Spain and along France’s Atlantic coast. This is the result of industrial pollution on a massive scale. To understand how this form of pollution has gone undetected for so long, the Down to Earth team traveled to Tarragona, Spain, where massive nurdle spills have been reported.

In the last 50 years, PFAS – short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – have made their way into many of our everyday objects. Dubbed "forever chemicals", they're extremely persistent and can stay in the air, water and soil for decades, harming the environment and ultimately our health.

Children are exposed to air pollution levels far higher than WHO recommendations, the European Environmental Agency found. Additionally, the report did not include major polluters like the United Kingdom and Russia.

A weekly news show produced with photos, videos and personal accounts from France 24 Observers around the world - all checked by our staff here in Paris.

As plastic production continues unabated, new findings say that with sufficient ambition, the world could cut plastic pollution by more than three-quarters.

As treaty talks over plastic pollution begin in Paris, we find out why recycling schemes, rather than reducing use, may not be that green of an idea. We take a look at different reactions to Recep Tayyip Erdogan's re-election. Reactions to Juliette Triet’s Palme D'or speech also continue to roll in, with the French media having widely different takes. Finally, we find out about a bear with a sneaky sweet tooth.

Like a Paris deal for plastics, countries want to end plastic pollution with a global treaty. But observers are already concerned that it is ignoring the most obvious solution, while others are dragging their feet.

The UNEP's recommendations for achieving an 80 percent reduction globally in plastic pollution by 2040 included: Promoting more options for re-using plastic, including refillable bottles, bulk dispensers, deposit-return schemes and packaging take-back programs.

A weekly news show produced with photos, videos and personal accounts from France 24 Observers around the world - all checked by our staff here in Paris.

A weekly news show produced with photos, videos and personal accounts from France 24 Observers around the world - all checked by our staff here in Paris.

Northeastern states in the US are experiencing historically high levels of air pollution due to wildfires in Canada. Experts say these types of situations will only increase in the future as the climate warms.

In 2022, UN Member States agreed to start negotiating a new global treaty to end plastic pollution. This is a historic step towards protecting wildlife, the environment, and humans from the harmful effects of plastic pollution.