KARACHI: Several programmes were held in the city on Monday in connection with the World Environment Day, where experts expressed concern over the absence of waste management practices in the country and growing air pollution that had jeopardized public health.

They also highlighted the hazards of plastic pollution, especially in the marine environment and called for urgent efforts to tackle it.

World Environment Day is observed globally on June 5 to raise awareness of the significance of a healthy and green environment. It aims to promote healthy measures for improving quality of life. This year’s theme for World Environment Day is ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution’, which aims to bring focus on the issue of pollution caused by plastic material and promote its responsible use to protect the environment.

KU moot

Speaking at a seminar at Karachi University (KU), Prof Moazzam Ali Khan, head of the Institute of Environmental Studies (IES) at the university, said most of the plastic components did not biodegrade and defragmented into microplastics.

World Environment Day observed in city

“Since 1950, about 8.3 billion metric tons (BMTs) of plastic have been produced globally, and 6.3 BMTs of plastic waste have been generated, of which 9 per cent was recycled, 12pc incinerated, and 79pc accumulated or abandoned in the environment.”

The programme was organised by IES in collaboration with multiple partners.

As Prof Khan pointed out, it had a direct and deadly effect on marine life. Thousands of animals are killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it.

“Plastics entering marine environments are estimated to be 12.2 million metric tons (MMTs) in 2015, of which 94pc estimated to go to the sea. 1pc remains floating on the ocean surface while 5pc remains on beaches,” he said.

Sharing local statistics, he said Karachi generated an estimated 20,000 to 24,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste daily, out of which 19 pc (3,800 metric tons per day) is plastic, which comes to around 1.39 MMTs of waste per year.

He also quoted a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report according to which only

40pc of the total solid waste

produced every day was managed properly, and the remaining was contaminating soil and water resources.

“We have to find ways to beat plastic pollution. A heightened environmental awareness is necessary to ensure a reorientation of modern civilization so that we can achieve reconciliation with nature instead of appearing, as we so often do now, to be in conflict with it.”

Panel discussion at AKU

At Aga Khan University (AKU), experts participating in a panel discussion highlighted the gravity of the situation and suggested strategies to tackle pollution through innovative and local solutions.

“Our world is swimming in plastic. Coastal communities residing along the Indus Delta are facing the harrowing effects of plastic pollution. Our corporate sector has the central responsibility to incorporate sustainable production and disposal practices and root out those that harm our environment,” Ghazi Salahuddin of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF) said.

Dr Mehmood Ali, Associate Prof at the Department of Environmental Engineering at NED University, said the educational institution was actively working on producing research that could provide practical measures for conserving our environment.

“Our academia has a critical role to play in creating awareness, research, and solutions for addressing Pakistan’s environmental problems.”

Salman Tariq, representing Davaam, said around 3.3 MMTs of plastic were wasted every year in Pakistan, which equaled two times the size of Mount K2. “It is important to financially incentivize circularity for people so they can be motivated to adopt the plastic-free lifestyle change needed for environmental conservation.”

Representing Unilever Pakistan, Ramlah Tariq emphasised having a multi-stakeholder model where civil society, corporations, and the government could all work together. “Our mantra is reduce, reuse, and recycle. We are committed to and working towards halving our use of virgin plastic by 2025.”

The programme also featured a documentary titled “Oceans: The Mystery of the Missing Plastic,” raising awareness on how our addiction to plastic ends up polluting the deep sea, coral reefs, and other land and marine deposits and eventually finds its way into our food chain.

Amber Ajani and Jamil Ahmed, representing AKU, also spoke.

PN celebrate Environment Day

Pakistan Navy celebrated World Environment Day to underscore the significance of protecting the marine ecosystem.

To show firm resolve and create awareness, the navy organised various lectures, a harbour cleaning campaign at Karachi, and an awareness walk at Manora Beach to highlight the importance of preserving the environment.

Additionally, the navy launched various initiatives to conserve the environment ranging from a collection of solid waste from the harbour, the establishment of reed bed plants in all areas under its jurisdiction, and extensive tree/mangrove plantation campaigns.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammed Amjad Khan Niazi in his message on World Environment Day reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve and commitment to make every effort for improving the quality of the environment. He urged the industrial community to embrace best practices and principles to synergise efforts towards practical ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution’.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2023