Save Earth
‘Planet Vs Plastics’
Earth Day is celebrated every year to highlight the importance of protecting the environment and saving Planet Earth. The event began in 1970 in the United States, and is now marked around the world.
Earth Day is celebrated on 22nd April every year and this year’s Earth Day theme is ‘Planet vs. Plastics’. It aims to raise awareness of the harmful effects of plastic pollution for human and planetary health.
Plastic
Plastics extend beyond an imminent environmental issues as it poses direct threat to human health
It is a clarian call for the end of plastic for the sake of human and planetary health. The call is for 60% reduction in the production of plastic by 2040 with the ultimate goal of building a Plastic Free future.
Micro-plastics
The serious issue cropping up as regards to plastics is the Microplasticss, as the plastic breaks down, it gets converted into tiny particles called Microplastics which are toxic and it enters our food and water sources as well as in the air that we breathe
Plastic Pollution
Global Plastic Production to the date is close to 380mn T every year. The plastic once produce does not decompose so easily which has created a threat to the ecosystem. In last ten years the world has produces more plastic than in entire 20th Century.
The small day to day use items like Plastic Bags causes more Pollution. Annually around 500 bn Plastic Bags are produced, that means One Million Plastic Bags every minute. These Plastic Bags disintegrate into Microplasics invading every corner of our Ecosystem and affecting Life
Similar is the case of Beverage Bottles and Plastic Water Bottles which are produced in a large number and out of this plastic produced only five percent plastic is recycled. Take the example of plastic water bottles, these bottles take three times more water to produces than the water it contains.
Above are the simple examples of Plastic Production and in the line Overproduction and overconsumption is the trend and the challenge to reduce the plastic production by 2040
Recycling
All the Plastic ends up in Landfills and through the incenerators only one per cent plastic gets recycled. The Plastic enters the body of birds and mammals causing fatal damage.
Policy
To combat the Plastic Menace the Plastic Treaty is formulated to reduce the Plastic in the environment
To achieve the goal of Plastic Reduction following goals are set
Promoting widespread public awareness of the damage done by Plastic to humans, animals and the biodiversity.
Phasing out all Single Use Plastic by 2030
Policies regulating the Plastic Production and
Develop Innovative Technologies and Materials to build a Plastic-Free World.
It is alarming situation about Plastic Pollution and the reduction of plastic is the only solution to Save Mother Earth. It is a battle that we cannot ignore
-Dr Siddivinayak Barve
Editor, ScienceNow Digital
