As of the time of writing this article, the number of people who have lost their lives in Mokwa local government area of Niger state, due to a devastating flood that hit the town, has exceeded 200. While the rest of the community is still counting the loss of property and other valuables, we pray that God will restore what they have lost and grant them the strength to cope with the loss of their loved ones.
Floods are one of the most destructive disasters that affect humans and their environment, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of farmland and property, and the spread of diseases due to contamination and debris. There is also the risk of building collapses and landslides.
Environmental degradation is a global issue that is currently being faced with great concern, due to the impact of human activities on the environment. Climate change, drought, desertification, and floods are some of the consequences of environmental degradation.
As the world celebrates World Environment Day this year, with a focus on reducing plastic pollution, it is worth noting that the accumulation of plastic waste in drains and waterways poses a significant threat to the environment. Plastics do not decompose or move with water, and research has shown that the production of plastic bottles has increased fourfold over the past 30 years, with over 500 million tons of plastics produced globally.
Many environmental experts are concerned about how to clean up the environment, drains, clearing the oceans from plastic debris, in order to recycle plastics into other useful products or reuse them as containers for drinks.
In our cities, we can see how the new plastic bottle recycling industry is gaining popularity, with children and young people collecting plastic bottles and selling them to earn money. These bottles are then sold to recycling companies, which process them into other useful products.
Fatima Aliyu Inuwa, a woman who sells cold drinks, such as Kunun Zaki and Zobo, revealed that she buys plastic bottles from bottle collectors and pays children to collect them, so that she can use them as containers for her drinks.
Small-scale entrepreneurs like Malama Fatima are helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste in our streets and drains. However, more needs to be done, and big companies and industries need to get involved in the recycling process to reduce the impact of plastic waste on the environment.
There are many things that can be done with plastic bottles, such as using them as containers or decorative items. Research has shown that over 300,000 marine animals die every year due to plastic pollution in the ocean. Environmental experts have also found over 171 trillion pieces of plastic debris floating in the world’s oceans.
If nothing is done to address this issue, plastic pollution will continue to pose a significant threat to the environment, not just to marine life but also to human beings. It is essential for scientists to develop biodegradable materials that can replace plastics.
It is crucial for the public to work together to raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation, reducing plastic waste, and reusing plastic bottles. We must also support initiatives to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable development.
As we enter the rainy season, we must take steps to prevent plastic waste from clogging drains and causing floods in our communities. We should encourage our children to collect plastic bottles and take them to recycling centers, where they can be processed and reused safely.
By working together, we can reduce the impact of plastic pollution on our environment and promote a healthier and more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.