World Earth Day: Environmentalists advocate end to plastic wastes

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an ecology Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has called for a drastic reduction in the use of plastics to save planet Earth from suffocation.

HOMEF made the call in a statement issued by its Communications/ Media Lead Kome Odhomor to commemorate the 2024 World Earth Day.

The NGO noted that celebrating Earth Day is an annual event designed to shed light on serious environmental problems faced from the climate crisis to air pollution and deforestation.

“World Earth Day reminds us as humans that the Earth is ours to protect and preserve but over time humans have abandoned their roles in protecting the planet because of selfishness and drive for profit.

“The International Mother Earth Day’s theme this year ‘Planet Vs Plastic’ urges us to build a livable future for humans, other beings, and natural systems.

“We stand united in our fight against Non-biodegradable waste pollution. Our addiction to single-use plastics suffocates the planet. Plastics are non-biodegradable waste; these materials do not decompose with time, can take up space, and cause harmful impacts as a result of their chemical composition.

“Our planet is choked with plastics and in most parts of it from mindless extraction of fossil fuel,” HOMEF stated.

The statement quoted Dr Nnimmo Bassey,  Executive Director of HOMEF, as advocating for a better planet, urging all inhabitants of the earth to be active ecological defenders in communities.

“Now is a critical time to choose between planet and plastic. Good sense tells us to choose the planet, our Mother Earth that sustains all lives. Poor sense driven by profit urges humans to choose plastics because of the ease they bring, despite the harmful impacts on our health, climate, and overall health of the planet.

“As we mark World Earth Day 2024, the alarm must be sounded that it is time to uproot plastics from their fossil base or be ready to be turned into plastic humans living plastic lives and heading to an infernal plastic future.

“At HOMEF, we are all for the planet, people, and other people,” Bassey said.

The group noted that research has shown that 380 million tonnes of plastic are now produced every year, while only nine percent of plastic ever produced has been recycled.

HOMEF noted that campaigns around the world calling for a 60 per cent reduction in plastic by 2040 are commendable and worthy of support.

“At Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), we believe in the intrinsic Rights of Mother Earth and the rights of humans and other beings to be respected and to live in dignity.

“It is time to build up courage and to preserve and protect our health, and our livelihoods by embracing alternatives that are sustainable, healthy, and safe for the planet and we must stop all forms of destructive extractive activities in Nigeria, Africa, and the World.

“The Planet vs Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being upon our planet,” We are submerged in a sea of plastic waste, from our oceans to the very depth of our valleys. It’s time we did better!” HOMEF stated.