24 out of 54 African countries have implemented laws to prevent the use of plastic bags. There are also measures to prevent the transportation of garbage in containers from Europe to African countries, a phenomenon known as "garbage colonialism" * The masks also add to the sea of plastic
In light of the impetus and good intentions of the Minister of the Environment and in the hope that at least some of the statements about actions to reduce the use of plastic in general and disposable utensils in particular will be realized, it is worth knowing that the residents of the beautiful country hold several records, among them: a record in turning good food into garbage, a record in the production and distribution of garbage of all kinds, and a record in use and distribution Plastic bags and utensils.
The effect of these three peaks can be seen in the terrestrial environment, the marine environment and even in the air (bags flying everywhere).
If every year around 300 million tons of plastic waste are produced in the world, with a significant part of the production ending up in the oceans - then again the citizens of little Israel "contribute" a significant part of the pollution. According to gloomy forecasts, by 2040 the pollution will increase threefold.
When scientists warn that the plastic pollution is in the air on land, in the days, in the soil, in the lakes and in every environment and terrain. What borders on a situation where it will not be possible to stop and prevent the enormous damage that will be caused for the environment, nature and humanity.
Despite the warnings about the danger, most of the leaders are busy making statements without any real result. Most but not all, as a campaigner from Senegal working in the Griffinis organization named Eva Tartaura writes that Those who press and do the most to eradicate the danger of plastic are the leaders of Africa.
Out of 54 African countries, 34 have passed laws banning the production and distribution of plastic, and implemented them. In 2005, Eritrea was the first, followed by Senegal, followed by more and more African countries that implemented laws to prevent plastic pollution. In Mauritania, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and more, laws are being implemented to prevent the use of single-use plastic bags. In more and more African countries the public is demanding to "free Africa from plastic". This call is now addressed to the world as Ghana leads the way for a "Global Plastic Treaty", the world is invited to join Africa in the fight against plastic.
Plastic - at the top of the polluters
In the "UN Environmental Program" (UNEP), there is a treatment of plastic pollution as one of three threats to the globe, with the other two being climatic disasters and damage to nature, and when plastic is at the top of the polluters.
In recent decades, the plastic epidemic has spread throughout the world and its impact is particularly bad among the weaker sections.
There is no doubt that the residents of many countries have a significant part in spreading the pollution that reaches the shores of the African continent and that is a significant factor in the African initiative to eradicate plastic, an initiative that also originates from the fact that the plastic that floods the oceans directly harms the marine life systems and as a result harms the possibilities of existence of large coastal populations.
More than a billion people live around oceans and make a living directly from them. Oceans saturated with plastic pose a health and existential danger not only to fish but also to people when about 99% of plastic is produced from fossil fuels. By 2050 it will be The plastic industry is responsible for consuming 20% of all fuel consumption And plastic pollution will "contribute" about 15% of all carbon emissions.
The cheap price and durability make the plastic think for industries but the same properties also make it dangerous, dangerous for the environment and health. Plastic does not degrade and does not disappear, but crumbles into tiny particles and these make their way through the water to the digestive systems of plants and animals and thus end up in people's water and food.
Fishing is one of the most important industries in the world economy. Plastic pollution harms marine systems already damaged by overfishing and overfishing. Plastic drifts to the shores of Africa in currents, but it turns out that it is also "imported" on purpose.
for example A German shipping company was captured When she tries to bring 25 containers with plastic trash into Senegal
What was defined by the state authorities as "waste colonialism". There is no doubt that this is one of the factors that motivated Africa to act and call for a global initiative.
In the context of the fight against pollution, environment ministers from 15 countries in the Organization of West African States (ECOWAS) initiated a ban on plastic packaging to be implemented by 2025, which poses a problem for industries that are supposed to develop biodegradable packaging or those that can be recycled or reused.
Either way, the only solution to plastic pollution is a recession to the point of completely stopping the production of the toxic product.
Governments must focus on implementing the ban on the production, use and distribution of single-use plastic products. What would facilitate the implementation of this policy would be the development of green substitutes for plastic, which would be multi-use or easily biodegradable.
When Africa leads, there is a chance that the rest of the world will join the "future without plastic" and the Western countries will understand that the solution is not to throw the garbage in the black continent. Instead of shortcuts along the lines of colonialism, it is appropriate to develop and adopt reusable materials and methods.
Africa is calling for a "Global Plastics Convention" in the hope that the world will listen and implement.
Israel distributes in the world and in Africa developing technologies in many different branches and industries. If we started with the momentum and intentions of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, then we are allowed to learn from Africa how to fight plastic pollution.
And what about the masks?
After the plastic pollution is obvious to everyone in the last two years, another type of pollution that contains plastic has been added, protective masks against Corona. Pictures of birds and other animals entangled in masks were published in the media, and under the pictures it says "this is also a result of the epidemic" and it is not because it is the result of the brazen, careless and devious behavior of people who do not "manage" to find the designated place to throw the masks,
But that's not the end of the danger, as it turns out that even when the masks are thrown into the trash and reach landfills, they don't disappear, a study showed that every month 130 billion masks are thrown into landfills. The same study showed that it takes about 450 years for masks that contain plastic to break down. It is clear that there is a health need to use masks,
But it is clear that the common feature in our environment of throwing masks everywhere is not a sign of excess wisdom. The need for health is not an excuse for polluting the environment.
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