Today is World Environment Day.
Not only today but everyday we need to be aware about plastic pollution on earth.
I've met Benjamin Vonwong, international photographer & visual engineer, and amazing volonteers during a project for Green Peace to give awareness against plastic pollution. I was really glad that people volonteer more and more.
So today I wanted to post a blog about plastic pollution and what we can do about it.
As this concerns us all.
As plastic is composed of major toxic pollutants, it has the potential to cause great harm to the environment in the form of air, water and land pollution.
Put simply, plastic pollution is when plastic has gathered in an area and has begun to negatively impact the natural environment and create problems for plants, wildlife and even human population. Often this includes killing plant life and posing dangers to local animals. Plastic is an incredibly useful material, but it is also made from toxic compounds known to cause illness, and because it is meant for durability, it is not biodegradable.
Effects of plastic pollution:
- It Upsets the Food Chain
- Groundwater Pollution
- Land Pollution
- Air Pollution (when burned)
- It Kills Animals
- It is Poisonous
- It is Expensive
Solutions to plastic pollution:
Shop Friendly (Plastic bags were once a modern convenience but can be efficiently replaced by reusable bags, Carry a bag and always reuse plastic bags as much as possible if you have them.
- Get Rid of Bottled Water
- Forget to-go Containers or take away( Straws, ..)
- Educate Businesses
- Get Involved
- Recycle Everything
- pick up trash if you see it...
If you want to get involved in Gansbaai, please see the volonteer programme at Marine Dynamics, Dyer Island Conservation Trust, they are deeply involved with various and diverse research and conservation projects concerning the Marine Big Five - penguins, whales, dolphins, seals and sharks - as well as educational and upliftment programmes in the local community.
Lets make our planet blue again.
Annick,
Villa The Cherry
