CCCFS Urges Immediate Action to Combat Plastic Pollution
KUMASI (Eco Media) — The Centre for Climate Change & Food Security (CCCFS) has called for the urgent need to address the growing crisis of plastic pollution.
Recent data reveals that Ghana generates approximately 0.84 million tons of plastic waste annually, with a yearly increase of 5.4%. This rate is exacerbated by a 2.2% rise in plastic waste production per person annually.
Despite ongoing efforts by the government, industry, and civil society, plastic waste in water bodies is projected to surge by 190% between 2020 and 2040, escalating from 78,000 to 228,000 tons per year.
In a statement to commemorate the occasion of International Mother Earth Day, the centre expressed its worry about the growing usage of plastics and the lack of regulations.
“The impact of plastic pollution on our environment, our health, and our economy cannot be overstated,” said Engr Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen, the executive director of CCCFS.
“We must take immediate action to reduce plastic waste and adopt sustainable practices. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to act now.”
Plastic pollution poses severe environmental threats, including the contamination of oceans and waterways, endangerment of marine life, and contribution to climate change. Additionally, the ingestion of microplastics by marine animals, which can then enter the human food chain, poses a significant risk to human health.
In Ghana, the use of ceramics was once prevalent in the northern parts of the country and the centre believes that reviving this practice could significantly reduce Ghana’s reliance on plastics.
Photo: UNDP Ghana
0 Comments