MONG several challenges that the world is facing today due to environmental pollution, air pollution and plastic pollution crises should be tackled as soon as possible.
World Environment Day operated under the theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution” for 2018 and “Beat Air Pollution” for 2019, highlighting the two crises we are experiencing today, and ringing alarm bells throughout the world.
With increasing populations in cities, wastes, including plastics thrown away by people, have damaged the beauty of the environment and health of the people, and have caused flooding when it blocks drain channels.
Also, a lack of systematic garbage management has resulted in people throwing plastics and other waste on roads and in rivers. Additionally, the incineration of plastics and other waste has caused air pollution. This shows that the lack of a garbage management system is leading directly to air and water pollution in Myanmar.
We have witnessed how floods in cities are entirely man made, with plastic clogging street drains. Poorly maintained drains and plastics have been contributing to the accumulation of water on roads after heavy rainfalls.
A recent survey has set alarm bells ringing in Myanmar, noting that the Ayeyawady River is suffering from extreme plastic pollution.
The new research, conducted by Fauna and Flora International (FFI) in collaboration with Thant Myanmar, revealed that 119 tons of plastic wastes are entering the Ayeyawady River every day.
To tackle the plastic crisis, region and state governments are being urged to actively participate in the “National Level Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan2018-2030” of the Union Government.
This is required to reduce the use of plastics as much as we can, to produce renewable products that can substitute for plastics, and to raise awareness among the people about the dangers posed by plastics. Also, taking actions against those who violate the laws and damage the surroundings is another way to save our environment.
To do that, it is necessary to adopt rules and regulations. Meanwhile, our country should develop a long-term plan to respond to environmental challenges, and to seek ways for promoting the use of renewable energy.
Another challenge comes with rising sea levels threatening coastal areas that might become submerged. Now is the time our country should draw up plans, in preparation for saving coastal areas from rising sea levels.
All in all, with the right solutions and by putting them into action, we, policy makers, producers and the people, can stop plastic pollution before it becomes worse.
