Every year 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems; polluting lakes, rivers and seas (UNEP). This pollution chokes marine wildlife, damages soil and poisons groundwater, and can cause serious health impacts. This is not the only contributor for environmental degradation, but there are many: burning of fossil fuel for Energy generation and transportation, hazardous chemicals used for agriculture and fashion industry and many more.
Increased consumptions is a distinguishing feature of 21st century where more products and services are made available than even before. Total global consumption of construction materials, ore and minerals, fossil fuels, and biomass is ten times of the volume that was in 1900 (Mills, 2012). Large scale farming practices supported the population growth, but widespread usage of fertilisers not only degraded the soil quality over the time but also contributed to environmental pollution in a much larger scale.
Over past 70 years, the world has experienced unprecedented growth, and as a result, extraction of the natural resources was a must to fuel the growth. Currently, the population uses the equivalent of 1.7 of earth planet to provide resources needed to produce the goods and absorb waste. This means earth takes 1 year and 7 months to regenerate what has been used in 1 year (Global Footprint Network, 2020). With no much surprises, this plastic has reached the world’s deepest ocean trench – Mariana Trench which is roughly 11 kilometre below the sea surface.
We are able to raise awareness about environmental impacts and have made some good progress on sustainability reporting and monitoring in production, supply chains; but we have paid much less attention to the design of sustainable products, services and systems.
This is a global problem, YES. But this needs to be actioned at individual level to move the needle.
As an individual, planting trees to create green spaces is not practically possible, but taking actions which is within individual’s control will provide numerous environmental benefits. Adopting the “3 Rs” principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) can significantly decrease waste generation.
Actions for individual
Say no to Single-Use Plastics: Avoid single-use plastics such as plastic bags, straws, and water bottles. Use reusable alternatives like cloth bags, stainless steel straws, and refillable water bottles to reduce plastic waste.
Choose Sustainable Transportation: Walking, biking, carpooling, or using public transportation will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Responsible Consumption: This includes conserve energy, save water, change food habit by reducing meat consumption (particularly from high-emission sources like beef and lamb). What about choosing locally sourced, organic, and seasonal foods to minimize the environmental impact of food production and transportation? Choosing products with minimal packaging, made from recycled materials, and produced using sustainable practices will add to the bigger goal to protect environment.
Advocate for Change: Raise awareness, support policies and initiatives that promote environmental protection and sustainability. Prioritise and speak environmental issues and advocate for sustainable practices in your community and workplace.
By incorporating these practices into their daily lives, individuals can contribute to a healthier planet and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Every small action adds up to make a meaningful difference in preserving the environment for future generations.
References
Mills, R. (2012, May 9). An argument for a contrarian investment. https://www.mining.com/an-argument-for-a-contrarian-investment/
Global Footprint Network (2020). Ecological Footprint. https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/ecological-footprint/#worldfootprint
