- Why are we not extremely concerned about a garbage patch three times the size of France floating in our ocean?
- Phenomenal human intelligence is trailed by a selfish and entitled nature.
- Why is it that we are accepting of the absolute bare minimum when it comes to conserving the very foundation on which our lives depend, yet anything less than the iPhone 8 Plus will not suffice?
There’s no doubt that the human race is incredibly intelligent, able to implement astounding advancements in nearly all aspects of life. This can perhaps be attributed to the fact that we’re always striving towards something better, never settling for the ordinary, because why should we conform to anything less?
If this is the case, however, then why are we settling for a planet covered in pollution? Why are we not extremely concerned about a garbage patch three times the size of France floating in our ocean? Why is it that we are accepting of the absolute bare minimum when it comes to conserving the very foundation on which our lives depend, yet anything less than the iPhone 8 Plus will not suffice?
The acrimonious truth is that if the majority of humanity possessed any moral standards this blasé mentality would be deemed anything but acceptable. The problem stems from short-term convenience being prioritised over long-term sustainability. Phenomenal human intelligence is trailed by a selfish and entitled nature.
It’s convenient to use plastic straws, to pack your lunch in Ziploc bags because you couldn’t be bothered to have to wash up a reusable container or to throw all your trash into one bin because recycling is too much effort when in reality there’s really nothing convenient about it.
It’s no secret that plastic consumption is a paramount issue faced in current times. With the existence of floating debris consisting of 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic and covering an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometres, the matter is clearly a difficult one to conceal. Statistics show that there is currently more microplastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way and since most plastic is non-biodegradable, this waste will continue to outnumber stars for years to come.
While the majority of individuals are able to fully agree with the disastrous implications of plastic use and the disposal thereof, only a minuscule percentage are actually trying to make some sort of a difference and take action. This is clearly seen when people are outrageously quick to voice their disappointment about plastic lined shores which spoil their tropical vacations, however, with a 9% global plastic recycling rate over 90% of the population are direct contributors to the problem with no warrant to complain. People are therefore exposed to the implications of their actions, but due to the fact that they aren’t subjected to such consequences on a daily basis, they chose to blatantly ignore them.
This ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality needs to disintegrate (something which plastic would know nothing about). The consequences of even the most seemly insignificant actions are serious and need to be recognised. Marine life is taking huge strain, with shocking cases arising which include the abominable story of a sperm whale found dead with 29 kilograms of plastic in its digestive system, while a baby dolphin was discovered to have died after drinking its mother’s milk which was contaminated with microplastics.
These disastrous effects are by no means limited to marine life, with similar repercussions seen on land. Plastic contains toxic chemicals which are able to effortlessly leach into soil along with groundwater and can easily be absorbed by crops, and yet we are still dumbfounded as to how diseases such as cancer have become so widespread.
A collective effort to stop treating the environment with such disrespect is absolutely crucial and long overdue. Humanity is evidently aware of the problem’s existence, which means we’re facing the right direction; all that is required now is a movement towards the essential rectifications. Helping to save the world does not require a university degree; it requires a conscious shift in lifestyle choices of which all of us are capable.
On average, a typical consumer disposes of 1.8 kg of household waste daily of which approximately four-fifths is able to be recycled, thus each individual can significantly reduce pollution through the simple process of recycling. Additional acts such as reading the labels of products purchased, enabling you to avoid packaging which cannot be recycled, can make the most remarkable difference.
If products such as toothpaste and toiletries contain microplastics, do not stoop to such low standards and leave them on the shelf. In essence, the journey towards not being “that person” who chooses to suffocate sea turtles starts by recycling just one piece of plastic. The only thing which is currently preventing you from having a positive impact is poor excuses.
It’s time for all of us to take responsibility and recognise that whether we like it or not we’re a definite part of this problem and therefore have no choice but to be invested in the solution. It’s time to make Gandhi proud and be the change we all wish to see because, in the long run, your inaction is vigorously contributing towards an incredibly dangerous weapon of mass destruction.
Author: Megan Blignaut
