He World Environment Dayan annual event established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 with the aim of raising global awareness and action on behalf of our natural habitat.
In an increasingly urbanized world, it is important to remember the importance of the health of our planet, an essential pillar for the survival and prosperity of all living things that inhabit it.
Unsurprisingly, most of the world’s population already lives in cities, at about 150,000 people per day. or the equivalent of one city of Los Angeles per monthare moving to cities, particularly in developing countries, where by 2030 at least 2 billion more people are projected to have moved to cities.
THE PLASTIC PROBLEM
This year the focus is on eliminating the use of plastics, a huge environmental issue that deserves immediate attention and action.
According to the UN, there are approx 300 million tons of plastic, a material that can take up to 1000 years to decompose. Many of these plastics end up in our oceans, affecting marine life and destroying entire ecosystems.
Our use of plastic is not sustainable. Despite recycling efforts, much of the plastic produced ends up in landfills or in the environment, with disastrous consequences for wildlife and ecosystems.
PLASTIC EFFECTS
Plastic affects the environment in a number of ways:
habitat pollution: Plastics that are not disposed of properly can end up in rivers, seas and oceans, causing severe damage to marine ecosystems. Animals can mistake plastics for food, and eating them can cause digestive blockages that are often fatal.
damage to marine life: Plastics can entrap marine life and suffocate or immobilize them. In addition, microplastics, i.e. plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, can be ingested by marine fauna and accumulate in the food chain.
slow degradation: Most plastics are not biodegradable and can take 500-1000 years to degrade, meaning their impact on the environment is long-lasting.
release of toxic substances: Some plastics contain potentially harmful additives which, when they decompose or are burned, are released into the environment and contribute to soil, water and air pollution.
contribution to climate change: The production and disposal of plastics releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
So, the purpose of this day is to raise awareness and mobilize individuals, communities, businesses and governments to address such an issue. Therefore, we are challenged to rethink our use of single-use plastics, explore more sustainable alternatives and advocate for actions that reduce the production and consumption of plastics.