There is an imperative need for making global efforts towards a sustainable future on our planet and, for this, combating plastic pollution is important

South Africa’s capital Cape Town has almost run out of water – clearly sending warning signals to the rest of the world. This coastal paradise of 4 million on the southern tip of South Africa is perhaps the first modern major city in the world to completely run dry. A report by Aryn Baker (Time’s Africa Bureau Chief based in Cape Town) on “What It’s Like To Live Through Cape Town’s Massive Water Crisis” points to the lacune of the authorities in getting into action mode to take control of this crisis that has been looming large for over a decade — now pointing towards ‘Zero Day’. In this context, World Environment Day — celebrated on June 5 — serves as a crucial reminder for humanity to take stock of the impact of its actions on the planet. "Beat Plastic Pollution," the theme for 2023 rightly focuses on the urgent need to address the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on climate change, oceans, and wildlife.

Coincidentally, June 8 also marked ‘World Ocean’s Day’, which again sends a stark reminder of how oceans have been exploited by humans for years now. Pollution, destruction of aquatic habitats, overfishing, and ocean acidification are some of the well-known examples of this exploitation. The sheer volume of plastic waste generated, coupled with its slow decomposition rate, has led to severe consequences for the planet.

Scientists point out that the link between plastic pollution and climate change lies in the carbon emissions released during plastic production and disposal. Moreover, plastic waste that finds its way into oceans poses a direct threat to marine ecosystems, disrupting marine life, and degrading delicate habitats. Additionally, animals suffer from entanglement or ingestion of plastic, leading to devastating consequences for their health and survival.

Plastic waste, when exposed to sunlight and seawater, undergoes a process called photo-degradation, releasing harmful chemicals. These chemicals contribute to ocean acidification, altering the pH balance of marine ecosystems, thereby posing a severe threat to coral reefs, shellfish, and other marine organisms, disrupting their growth, reproduction, and overall survival.

The production, use, and disposal of plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. Plastics are derived from fossil fuels, primarily petroleum, and their manufacturing processes release significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) into the atmosphere. Moreover, plastics are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

It is well established globally that in order to tackle climate change effectively, collaboration and knowledge sharing between scientists, governments, communities and individuals is vital. Governments, research institutions, and NGOs are working together to advance scientific understanding, develop innovative solutions, and share best practices. Initiatives such as the ‘Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’ (IPCC) provide policymakers with up-to-date scientific assessments to inform decision-making and thereby initiate climate action programmes.

One step in this direction is the remarkable success story of Rwanda's complete ban on plastic bags in 2008 following Bhutan’s decision of 1999. This visionary move led to a significant reduction in plastic waste and a shift towards more sustainable alternatives. The case study of Rwanda highlights the importance of strong government policies and the role of individual action in effecting change.

Also, the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch Cleanup” through the organisation “The Ocean Cleanup”, spearheaded a ground-breaking initiative to remove plastic debris from this part of the Pacific Ocean by deploying advanced technology and extracting plastic waste, in an attempt to mitigate the threat to marine life and simultaneously raise awareness about the magnitude of the problem.

International organizations such as the ‘United Nations Environment Programme’ (UNEP), ‘Greenpeace’, and ‘WWF’ have been at the forefront of the fight against plastic pollution by launching awareness campaigns, conducting research, and working with governments and industries to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable alternatives.

India has also made notable innovative strides in this direction. The “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” emphasizes waste segregation, recycling, and promoting alternatives to single-use plastics. Initiatives such as the "Plastic Waste-Free Cities" campaign is effectively mobilizing volunteers and citizens to tackle plastic pollution at the grassroots level.

World over organisations such as the ‘United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA); ‘The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal’; ‘The Global Partnership on Marine Litter’ (GPML); ‘The Group of Seven (G7) and ‘Group of Twenty (G20)’, to name a few, have addressed this grave issue and have implemented various measures to combat it by bringing about Legislation banning single-use plastics, imposing levies on plastic bags, and incentivizing recycling.

While progress has been made, major challenges remain in curbing the plastic menace. Addressing issues such as inadequate waste management infrastructure is crucial. International cooperation is essential to support developing countries in building their capacity to manage plastic waste effectively and sustainably. A transition towards a circular economy, where resources are reused, recycled, or repurposed, is another alternative for tackling plastic pollution. Governments and businesses should support initiatives that promote the design and production of plastic products with recycling and reusability in mind. By adopting reusable products, reducing plastic consumption, and actively participating in recycling programs, individuals can contribute to the collective effort with the government to combat this global challenge.

(The writer is programme executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti. Views expressed are personal)