Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time, with a high probability of there being more plastic in the oceans than fish by 2050. To change the future, we each need to play our part. Whether it is a bottled soft drink, a bag from the supermarket, or a spoon in a coffee shop, single-use plastic has become embedded in our daily lives. Plastic is made of toxic compounds and is non-bio degradable leading to air, water and land pollution which in turn have direct and indirect effects on our health.
World Environment Day is the UN's most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest global platforms for public outreach, celebrated by millions of people in well over 100 countries. Also known as "people's day", World Environment Day provides us with an opportunity to take concrete actions for the sustainability of the Earth.
The Theme for the World Environment Day 2018 revolves around the fight to #BeatPlasticPollution. As a call to action for all of us to come together to combat one of the great environmental challenges of our time, we are all invited to consider how we can make changes in our everyday lives with a view to; reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our natural places; our wildlife – and our own health.
The IORA Secretariat took up the challenge and as an in-house initiative, came up with suggestions to reduce plastic consumption:
- Individually – including a “Plastic Pledge”;
- Internally – efforts within the Secretariat;
- Locally –for instance, sharing information on recycling; and
- Globally – a wish list.
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