NGO Seeks Halt To Plastic Waste

Edith CHUKU

In a bid to safeguard the planet from suffocating, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation HOMEF, is calling for an urgent ban on the production and utilization of single-use plastics.

HOMEF Executive Director, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, who made this call charged residents to be actively involved in the efforts to kick out plastics.

The ED of the ecology-focused non-governmental organization, stressed the need for a drastic reduction in the use of plastics to save planet Earth.

Speaking on serious environmental problems faced from the climate crisis to air pollution and deforestation, Bassey explained that, “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 liveable future for humans, other beings, and natural systems.”

He maintained that HOMEF stands “united in our fight against non-biodegradable waste pollution. Our addiction to single-use plastics suffocates the planet. Plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose, clog our water bodies, and cause harmful impacts as a result of their chemical composition.

Sadly, the world is literally a plastic civilization due to a vested interest in hydrocarbons and ease of application.

“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.”

HOMEF ED noted that “At HOMEF, we are all for the planet, people, and all life forms. 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. Campaigns around the world calling for a 60 percent reduction in plastic by 2040 are commendable and worthy of support.

“At Health of Mother Earth Foundation 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. 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 on our planet,” We are submerged in a sea of plastic wastes, from our creeks to the ocean. It’s time we did better.”