Be Involved in Beating Plastic Pollution Now – PPDF Charges Nigerians

 

By Ekemini Simon

Peace Point Development Foundation  (PPDF), a non governmental organisation working on ecological justice and peace building has called on all Nigerians to make concerted effort in eliminating plastic pollution.

The call was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the organisation’s Coordinator, Umo Isua-ikoh while making the World Environment Day on Monday, June 5, 2023.

The organisation noted that the need for all to be involved in eliminating plastic pollution stemmed from the unquestionable fact that plastic pollution alters habitats and natural processes within the ecosystem and also reduces the ecosystem’s ability to adapt to climate change.

The statement said this has brought negative impacts on community livelihoods, food production capacities and social well – being.

PPDF explained that several researches have shown that plastic can take between 20 to 500 years to decompose, depending on the material’s structure and environmental factors including sunlight exposure.

The organisation said its long years for decomposition makes it a threat to the environment coupled with serious harm it has caused marine life and other wildlife.

The statement added “Sadly, plastic bags block drainage systems leading to flooding and as it releases toxins when burned.

“Peace Point Development Foundation  (PPDF) therefore calls on both civil society actors around the globe and relevant government institutions to urgently come together to take decisive actions towards reversing the trend of plastic pollution and other environmental degradation thus averting the calamity that could meet humanity when the environment fights back.”