Environment Desk: Plastic pollution could overtake fish population soon in the distant future. A report from the World Economic Forum warns that the marine pollution caused by plastic is becoming so much lethal that it might plastic wastes could surpass marine population like fish (by weight) by 2050. This would be the result of excessive dependence on plastic use and consumption around the world.
Plastic is particularly toxic for the environment because it is non-biodegradable. When it enters our oceans and rivers, it does not contaminate but remains there for years and years. This consequently results in catastrophe for the marine eco-system after it is ingested by fishes.
It is not just harmful for the marine life, but also for the human beings. Plastic waste is also one of the prime causes of water pollution, blockages of drainage system leading to waterlogging and floods. Moreover, when plastic is but it releases poisonous greenhouse gases like CO2 and Particulate Matter, causing life threatening diseases like respiratory problems like asthma. Due to excess plastic burning several Indian metropolitan cities like Delhi and Guwahati has been at the top of air pollution chart, causing risks to human health. In fact, it has been found that around 350 million tonnes of plastics are generated yearly, and around half within this is either dumped in landfills or thrown away in oceans and rivers every year.
Even though it is already late, the global community can still take precautionary steps to reduce the use of one time use plastic and adopt for sustainable alternatives like paper bags, or carry one’s own bags while shopping groceries.
The governments around the world, social organizations, and the mass media also has a vital role to play in this regard. One time plastic should be entirely banned, discarding plastic at inappropriate places that might lead to land pollution should also be punished. Likewise, social organizations, businesses, and especially the mass media should regularly educate the community about the severity of the issue through social marketing and promote the practice of recycling and reuse. Our environment is ours, and its sustainability is also a collective responsibility.
Source: World Economic Forum
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