IN the contemporary era, the world is witnessing an escalating environmental enigma due to myriad factors including water pollution, soil pollution, plastic pollution, global warming and greenhouse gases. These factors are not only causing environmental degradation but have led to the widespread of waterborne diseases, breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases, thyroid problems, obesity and strokes. Among them, the pollution caused by irresponsible production and consumption of plastic is inflicting massive havoc on the natural equilibrium of the environment.
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to life forms as plastic debris contaminates the food particles that are engulfed by animals, destroys coral reefs, causes disruption in food supply chains, annihilates marine ecosystems, leads to soil contamination and pollutes the air during the process of plastic incineration. Keeping in view the fact, that millions of tons of plastic waste are disposed of into the oceans every year, the marine and coastal ecosystem of related countries across the world remain highly vulnerable to the disastrous impacts of plastic pollution. In Pakistan, the maritime sector is being deleteriously impacted by the predicament of plastic pollution.
It is critical to understand that the maritime economy of a state is generally impacted by plastic pollution as it increases the risk of ecological disruptions, decreases tourism and inflicts considerable infrastructure damage. The deposits of plastic debris into oceans and seas affect the maritime environment resulting in the ingestion, entanglement and suffocation of marine life. In Pakistan, the maritime sector is being deleteriously impacted by the predicament of plastic pollution.It is pertinent to mention that Target 1 of SDG-14 (i.e. Life Below Water) requires prevention and significant reduction of marine pollution of all kinds including plastic debris. It is crucial to cultivate a collective surge of public and political pressure to accelerate action from governments and all stakeholders to address these crises.
Considering the gravity of the problem, the United Nations made the right decision on the occasion of this year’s World Environment Day (i.e. 5th June 2023) to launch a campaign #BeatPlasticPollution. It called for global solutions to combat the overwhelming challenge of plastic pollution. It provided us an opportunity to revitalize our pledge to the environmental cause through responsible production & consumption by meeting targets of SDG-12 and changing our lifestyle along with our behaviour.
Serious efforts are being made on national and international levels for prohibiting plastic production to protect the world from a major environmental enigma. It is worth mentioning that the Government of Pakistan has not only prohibited the manufacture, import and sale of non-biodegradable plastic bags but it has also banned their use across various big cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Following the ban imposed by the federal government, provincial governments including the government of Sindh also imposed a ban on plastics which is anticipated to counter the negative impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems. It is quite encouraging that to combat the menace of plastic pollution, Pakistan has been actively participating in global movements such as “World Without Plastic” by Plastic Recovery Hut, “Clean Seas Campaign and Beat Plastic Pollution Campaign” by United Nations Environment Program, “Plastic Free July” followed by organizing “Clean and Green Pakistan Campaign” on a national level to curb the harmful impact of plastics on the environment.
Pakistan has also partnered campaigns with international organizations such as World Wide Fund for Nature since 2008 through the project “Improving Sub Watershed Management and Environmental Awareness in the vicinity of Ayubia National Park” and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) since 1947 in efforts to combat the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. Moreover, the movements launched at the national level including the “Clean Green Pakistan Movement” and “Extended Plastic Bag Ban” provides evidence of Pakistan’s government’s active responsiveness to prevent the belligerent threat of plastic pollution. However, efforts by the government alone cannot obtain the desired results to make the environment safe from plastic pollution.
Keeping in view the deleterious impact of plastic pollution on multifarious areas, it is crucial to devise strategies and products which can be used as a substitute for plastic. In this context, paper, glass, metal including stainless steel and aluminum, plant-based bioplastics, natural fibres, mycelium packaging and beeswax wrap are found to be effective replacements for commodities made out of plastic. Since the issue is global, action is needed by both developed and developing countries for better management and safe disposal of existing plastic waste along with its elimination in our future discourse through the adoption of alternate solutions. Serious contributions by all actors in developed and developing countries across the world for the elimination of plastic from industrial production to commercial & domestic consumption would enable us to promote and achieve a ‘Plastic Free – Clean World’.
—The writer is associated with the National Institute of Maritime Affairs, views expressed are her own.
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