#BeatPlasticPollution: Plastic Pollution and The Blue Planet By Abimbola Abikoye
Blue Planet refers to the marine environment on the earth, it includes — the oceans, deep coastline populations, sea mammals, phytoplankton and biological system that revolves around it.
Blues Planet and How It Sustains Human Life
· Oceans help to absorb carbon dioxide and give out oxygen i.e. Phytoplankton, corals and red algae — these plants serve as a supplier of oxygen to the ecosystem for man’s survival.
· Marine Food chain — the link between the ocean and the food chain cannot be overemphasised.
· Heavy roots plants such as mangrove serve as food for sea mammals in the ocean, thus blue planet serves numerous purposes to sustain human life.
Challenges in Curbing Plastic Pollution As It Affects The Blue Planet
· Population Size: high population will bring about high consumption of products like foods, drinks, etc. which are mostly packaged by plastics.
· Most plastics are made of Sulphur and Natural gas which results in plastics existing for hundreds of years when deposited in the environment majorly within the oceans.
· Ignorance and inadequate knowledge on plastic pollution in the environment
· Producers shifting blames on consumers for wrong depositing plastics after use.
· Inadequate knowledge on recycling of plastics in local communities.
Recommendations/Solutions
INDIVIDUALLY
· Education and advocacy on plastic pollution, as everyone’s mindset, should be keen on achieving a sustainable environment.
· Creating awareness on plastic pollution in our various communities
· Engaging in recycling
· Control and minimize the use of plastic products as consumers.
GOVERNMENT
· Find the best policy that fits plastic pollution, thereby identifying the problems and proffer suitable solutions.
· Involvement of the local communities, majorly the coastal communities where these plastics are dumped.
· Rules and Regulations such as Heavy law enforcement on Producers of plastics to ensure the sustainability of the environment.
INTERNATIONAL
· Globally there should be agreement on the use of plastics and how to sustain the blue planet.
