Earth day began being celebrated in 1970 in the USA. The initial aim was to recognize the earth as the provider of all the resources we need for our survival and also ways we can give back by protecting it from harm.
In his write-up #LaudatoSí, the late Pope Francis ( may he rest in peace) encouraged Christians and the world at large to care for the Earth and keep it beautiful as God created it and intended it to be.
Unfortunately several decades later a threat to the earth was created by man in the name of plastics and it has threatened the very life of the earth by choking the oceans,the rivers,and the city streets.
Man in his endeavor to reduce the waste on the surface of the earth, resulted in heaping the waste in small and bigger piles in different corners where humans live and then set it ablaze producing deadly fumes.
This has brought about respiratory problems to the people living around the dumpsite. It has also resulted in micro plastic poisoning. This occurs when the plastics break down in very tiny particles due to acts of nature which later get into the food chain when they are eaten by fish and other edible organisms .
Medical reports have shown micro plastics is semen and blood clot samples as well as other vital fluids of the body.
On Earth Day 2025, we are encouraged to embrace the circular economy, which leads to #zerowaste in the effort to #beatplasti,c which is the #theme for #earthday2025
This can happen if people agree to segregate waste at source (office/home) and reuse what can be reused and rot all the biodegradable materials.
Plastic containers can be used as a balcony garden (as in the photo) therefore keeping it from going to the dumpsite or even worse to be washed down to our rivers and oceans.
Article by Julia Wahome
