dedeté

Every year, 52 million tons of plastic are dumped into the environment worldwide. For example, in 2024 alone, 460 million tons of plastic were produced, and this figure is projected to double by 2050. Of this, only 9 percent is recycled, while 22 percent is mismanaged, polluting rivers, oceans, and soil. It is estimated that 8 to 11 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually. And around 1 million species of marine fauna die each year from ingesting or being trapped by plastic objects.

Cuba has joined the international effort to address the problem caused by plastic pollution, particularly single-use plastics. Therefore, work has been done on the legal basis to support all this work, and the Integrated Alliance Together for Less Plastic Waste has been launched. This alliance pursues three objectives and 11 actions aimed at promoting awareness and solutions to this problem.

The Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment and Dedeté, the humor supplement of the newspaper Juventud Rebelde, are hosting the graphic humor show "Together for Less Plastic Waste."

The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about plastic pollution through graphic humor, utilizing the creativity and ingenuity of artists from around the world to inspire positive change in perceptions and behaviors regarding plastic use.

The event focuses on combating plastic pollution and will address topics such as: reducing the use of single-use plastics; the importance of recycling plastic waste; marine life and the impact of plastic on the oceans; individual and collective responsibility in combating plastic pollution; and plastic, a silent danger to health.

Cartoonists from all over the world may participate by sending one (1) work in A3 format (29.7 x 42 cm) with a 300 dpi resolution to the email address: Eventoplasticos@citmatel.inf.cu

By submitting their works, the copyright is transferred to the organizers, and they may be shared on social media. The selection panel will be composed by experts from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment and graphic humor artists.

A major exhibition of the participating works will be held in Havana in February 2026, coinciding with the anniversary of the humor supplement Dedeté. Each participant will receive a digital certificate as proof of their participation in the event.

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