The looming plastic threat: World Environment Day 2025 and the urgent need for action

By Raj Kumar Sinha*

World Environment Day is the largest international day for the environment. The United Nations declared this day in 1972 to foster global political and social awareness towards the environment. Celebrated annually on June 5th, this UN day brings together millions of people worldwide with the shared mission of protecting and restoring our planet.

The theme for World Environment Day 2025 is "Ending Plastic Pollution." This theme aligns with ongoing international commitments to reduce plastic consumption, improve recycling systems, and promote sustainable alternatives. The day serves as an opportunity for governments, businesses, and individuals to take action against plastic pollution and support policies that foster a clean, healthy planet.

The Republic of Korea will host World Environment Day on June 5, 2025, with the main objective of ending plastic pollution globally.

Plastic pollution is a widespread environmental problem affecting ecosystems and human health worldwide. In 1950, global plastic production was 2 million tons, which increased to 390 million tons in 2021.

According to a study, 22 million tons of plastic have entered the environment, with 6 million tons ending up in rivers, ponds, and oceans. A report by Rohini Krishnamurthy in 'Down To Earth' magazine states that India has become the world's largest plastic polluter, generating 9.3 million tons of plastic annually, which is approximately one-fifth of global plastic emissions.

Microplastics, extremely fine particles of plastic, have become dominant worldwide today. Only about 0.3 percent of the water on Earth is potable. Water pollution is already a concern in India, and the world's water is at risk due to plastic and waste leakage. Groundwater and reservoir water are susceptible to contamination from toxic leachate. This poses a significant threat not only to the environment but also to human health and biodiversity. Besides endangering marine life, soil fertility, and human health, plastic waste contributes 3 to 4 percent to global carbon emissions. Plastic pollution has now reached alarming levels. A study published in "Toxicological Sciences" revealed that microplastic particles have now reached the maternal womb. This study was conducted by scientists at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences in the USA. According to Samuel Pottinger, lead author of research published in Science magazine, if plastic production is not restricted globally, annual greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic system will increase by 37 percent by 2050.

A new global study has revealed that over 356,000 deaths from heart disease worldwide in 2018 were linked to 'Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)', a specific chemical used in plastic products. This chemical is used to make plastic flexible, but it is considered a serious threat to human health. Worryingly, India had the worst situation in this regard, where this chemical was somehow responsible for 103,587 deaths due to heart disease. The Indian government's Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, provide a statutory framework for environmentally sound plastic waste management in the country. The rules mandate urban local bodies and gram panchayats to manage plastic waste, including its collection. Under the rules, urban local bodies and gram panchayats are ordered to ensure that plastic waste is not burned in the open. In Madhya Pradesh, the district administration has banned the use of polythene in religious and tourist places. Additionally, polythene thinner than 100 microns and single-use plastic items were banned three years ago. However, their management is still lacking even around cities. The municipality is taking action from time to time, yet banned materials are still available in small and large markets.

On the other hand, we are using excessive energy to maintain our current lifestyle, and the ecosystem is unable to meet our demands. Out of an estimated 8 million species of plants and animals in the world, 1 million are at risk of extinction. 75 percent of Earth's land surface has been significantly altered by human activities, including 85 percent of wetland areas. 66 percent of the ocean area is affected by human activities, including fishing and pollution. Approximately 90% of the world's marine fish stocks are fully exploited or overexploited.

Indian sages knew that water and forests are the foundation of the Earth. Therefore, considering trees and water important for the protection of the Earth, they said: 'Vrūkṣād varṣati parjanyaḥ, parjanyād anna sambhavaḥ' meaning: Trees bring rain, rain brings food, food brings life. In India, human relationships have been associated with various forms of nature, including trees, plants, rivers, mountains, planets, stars, fire, and air. A tree is compared to a child, and a river is considered like a mother. However, we have forgotten this lesson and chosen the path of destruction.

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*With Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected Association

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