By Precious D. Freeman
The Pollution Control Association of Liberia (POCAL) has joined the universe to celebrate International Mother Earth Day.
The purpose of the celebration is to raise awareness about various issues that threaten the environment and endanger the planet, such as the rapidly rising levels of pollution, deforestation, and global warming.
The ceremony was held in Monrovia yesterday before community dwellers got involved in a cleaning-up exercise by disposing of the plastics that were seen in their surroundings.
The Executive Director for POCAL, Henry O. Williams, stated that the Global theme ‘Planet vs. Plastics’ highlights the threat plastics pose to the planet and human health.
The day called for an end to all plastic waste by demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by the year 2040.
According to him, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed April 22 as International Mother Earth Day through a resolution that was adopted in 2019.
He added that the day recognizes the earth and its ecosystems as humanity’s common home and the need to protect it to enhance people’s livelihoods, counteract climate change, and stop the collapse of biodiversity.
ED Williams maintained that climate change man-made changes to nature as well as crimes that disrupt biodiversity, such as deforestation, land use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production, or the growing illegal wildlife trade, can accelerate the speed of destruction of the planet.
“Global production of plastics has grown exponentially since the 1950s, reaching 400 million metric tons in 2022. Global production of plastics is projected to quadruple by 2050,” he explained.
POCAL boss however called for a strong treaty on plastics that protects the health of children by reducing the production and use of plastics and subsequent generation of plastic particles, and by preventing the harmful effects of plastics throughout their life cycle.
“As a global partnership for marine litter and plastic pollution, POCAL will be involved in a robust public awareness on plastic Pollution targeting pregnant mothers and children, students, community leaders, government officials, commercial establishments, and the workforce that deals in plastic products, among others,” he said.
Speaking further the community chairman Joseph G. Manto appreciated POCAL for the great community engagement to tackle the bad practice of plastic pollution.
“Plastic has indeed caused lots of harm in the environment, so we really appreciate POCAL for leaving their busy schedules to educate us on how to dispose of plastic, and how to use it accordingly,” he said.
