The International Day of Biodiversity, serves as a reminder of how interconnected we are with the natural environment and how we ought to jealously protect this delicate web of life that sustains us all. This year’s theme greatly resonates with some of the most pressing environmental challenges that affect biodiversity loss; pollution.
At CEDAR-COM we are cognizant of the fact that biodiversity loss and plastic pollution is not a separate environmental crisis, but are rather interconnected threats that require joined solutions, as we work towards building a more sustainable future. The plastic – biodiversity crisis, has a direct effect on our ecosystems. Statistics show that plastic pollution, disrupts ecosystems by altering habitats through species interruptions, leaching of harmful chemicals into soils and water, harms wildlife health, causes injuries and death for marine life, causes food chain disruptions through infiltration, ecological imbalance and a general decrease in ecosystem.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals recognize that environmental health and human well-being are inseparable. Plastic pollution undermines these goals in many ways, creating barriers to sustainable development that affect communities worldwide. For example, fishing communities whose live hoods depend on healthy marine ecosystems, are at the continuous risk of fish habitats degradation, contamination and fish production insecurity. Many communities now lack fresh water sources for drinking as a result of pollution. Plastic pollution also have devastating effects on the tourism sector, as it degrades natural attractions, driving many visitors away. Plastic pollution has contributed to introducing invasive species into habitats threatening indigenous species and much more.
Restoring harmony requires innovation, collaboration and systematic changes across multiple sectors, that demonstrate how we can restore concord between human activities and natural systems. It starts with every individual taking responsibility for the waste they generate, communities coming together to manage their waste, cities coming together to support innovation connected to reuse, recycling and transforming plastic waste and other wastes into treasures, carrying out natural resources’ preservation projects, seeing ourselves as an integral part of nature and not separated from it. It is worthy of note that the health of our ecosystems directly impacts our health, economic stability, food security, and our social well-being. Thus, every action matters, from individual choices about consumption and disposal to corporate policies that prioritize environmental responsibility, to governments, businesses and citizens, we all must work together to create systems that support our environment. Together, we should commit and recommit ourselves to creating a world where our activities enhance our natural systems rather than degrade them. Choose now to integrate environmental considerations into every aspect of your operations, for small changes when multiplied across many individuals and organizations create significant impact.
ACT NOW! YOU ARE THE CHANGE NATURE IS WAITING FOR.
Photo Credits: Google