Geneva, Oct 11 (IANS)—184 countries gathered in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations to forge a historic agreement against plastic pollution. They were told that they must find a way to tackle the global crisis that is destroying ecosystems and polluting the oceans.
No one can deny
the fact that while harmful gases and other pollutants are causing destruction
to human health and the environment, plastic pollution is also causing immense
damage to the ecosystem. Plastic is affecting the terrestrial ecosystem and is
also polluting our oceans and rivers. This is not only endangering humans but
also the entire biodiversity. According to a media report, plastic pollution
has become so common that microplastics are found on the highest peaks of the
world, in the depths of the ocean, and in almost every part of the human body.
The same report states that more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced
worldwide every year, half of which is for single use only. Only 15 percent of
plastic waste is collected so that it can be recycled, but only 9 percent is
recycled. The rest remains in the earth's environment and continues to affect
this environment in every way.
According to
careful statistics, 500 billion plastic bags are produced worldwide every year.
The life of these plastic bags is more than a hundred years, but even after a
hundred years, they do not completely decompose. They not only make fertile
land barren, but if they are burned, they create a new type of pollution. The
toxic gases released by burning them increase air pollution. According to a
report, several hundred thousand tons of plastic enter the oceans, rivers, and
other large water bodies around the world every year, due to which marine life
is being badly affected. If the amount of plastic in the oceans is so high,
then it can be estimated how much plastic must have spread on the surface of
the earth, because the plastic found in the ocean has somehow reached the
oceans from the land. The use of plastic is no longer limited to envelopes and
bottles, but spices, salt, tea, biscuits, flour, and other items are also found
in polythene packaging. What is there that doesn't require plastic, from cold
drinks to medicines to mineral water bottles to baby feeders? People use these
items and throw away the plastic wrappers here and there. These wrappers not
only pollute the environment but also get stuck in sewers and manholes when it
rains, causing local flooding.
The government has
banned polythene, i.e., plastic shopping bags, many times, but that ban was
limited to announcements and papers only. Here, fruit sellers, vegetable
sellers, general shopkeepers, and other people are using polythene and plastic
bags to the fullest. Plastic is the most dangerous thing for the planet, and its
containers are very harmful to the human body. Eating food in plastic
containers means that plastic particles get added to the food, which reaches
our body. Despite this, their use is being done openly. There is a danger that
the increasing use of plastic may lead to a major and collective human
tragedy.
In the past, cloth
bags or sacks were used for shopping in the markets, or there were large
baskets made of plastic or wicker that people used to carry with them from home,
and whatever goods they wanted to buy, they would put in this bag or basket.
Even at grocery stores, there was no mention of plastic shopping bags anywhere;
there were also simple envelopes made of newspaper or ordinary paper.
Shopkeepers used to put things in these envelopes, weigh them, and hand them
over to the customers. Even for fruits, there were no shopping bags, etc., available. If they wanted to buy a little fruit, they would just put it in the
basket. And if they wanted to buy more fruit, the fruit sellers would keep
baskets made of palm leaves with them. If we have to protect our environment
from pollution, if we have to protect ourselves from cancer and other harmful
diseases, then it is necessary that we bring our lives back to the way they
were when it was simple, when cloth bags or bamboo baskets were used. But the
problem in our country is that small matters are turned into a source of
business. When the government banned plastic shopping bags, big stores that
earn lakhs of rupees daily also got cloth bags made, but instead of giving any
discount to their customers, they started charging money for these bags too.
This obviously makes the buyer angry that if he has bought something worth four
or five thousand rupees, there should be no problem in giving him a cloth bag,
but fifteen or twenty rupees are deducted from that too.
If 184 countries of the world have come together to form an agreement to eliminate plastic pollution, it can be considered a welcome development, but it is important that whatever agreement is made, all the countries that have signed this agreement fully implement it. The need to say this was felt because before that, a Paris Agreement was made regarding the environment, and in it, countries with large economies had made many promises and claims that could not be fulfilled, especially since the United States withdrew from its claims in this Paris Agreement. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that whatever decision the international community takes regarding reducing plastic pollution is implemented; otherwise, this whole implementation will become a matter of coming, sitting, saying, and dismissing.
Main
Devastations of Plastic Pollution
In conclusion we have to say:
Main Devastations of Plastic Pollution
- Environmental Impacts
A. Marine Life Destruction
- Millions of marine animals (turtles, fish, and seabirds) die each year from ingesting or getting entangled in plastic waste.
B. Ecosystem Disruption
- Plastic debris alters habitats, affecting food chains and biodiversity in oceans, rivers, and forests.
C. Soil and Water Contamination
- Microplastics seep into the soil and groundwater, affecting agriculture and drinking water sources.
D. Air Pollution from Burning Plastic
- Incineration of plastic releases toxic gases (like dioxins and furans), contributing to air pollution and climate change.
(2) Health Hazards
(A) Microplastics in Food Chain
- Humans consume microplastics through seafood, salt, water, and even vegetables—linked to hormonal, reproductive, and immune system disorders.
(B) Toxic Chemical Exposure
- Plastics contain additives (like BPA, phthalates) that disrupt hormones and are linked to cancer, infertility, and developmental issues.
(C) Respiratory Illnesses
- Scavengers and communities near plastic dumpsites or burning areas often suffer from asthma, bronchitis, and lung diseases.
(3) Climate Change Contribution
A. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- From production to disposal, plastic emits significant greenhouse gases, worsening global warming.
(4) Economic & Social Impacts
A. Damage to Tourism and Fisheries
- Polluted beaches and water bodies drive away tourists and destroy the livelihoods of fishermen.
B. Waste Management Crisis
- Developing countries struggle with unmanageable plastic waste, leading to overflowing landfills and blocked sewage systems (causing floods).
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