According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), half of all plastic produced is designed to be used just once and then discarded, resulting in mass amounts of chemically-laden debris landing in oceans and littering landscapes.
As UNEP’s Chief of the Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit Dr. Musonda Mumba points out, this has negative implications not just for physical health but also mental, by contaminating our “ambient environment,” as she described in a discussion with Landscape Voices in Nairobi.
To curb this dangerous trend of increasing waste, more than 10 African governments have begun by banning the production of plastic bags, and others are following suit. Here she describes what efforts are off to a good start in the continent – and how more can be done.
RELATED
Finally…
…thank you for reading this story. Our mission is to make them freely accessible to everyone, no matter where they are.
We believe that lasting and impactful change starts with changing the way people think. That’s why we amplify the diverse voices the world needs to hear – from local restoration leaders to Indigenous communities and women who lead the way.
By supporting us, not only are you supporting the world’s largest knowledge-led platform devoted to sustainable and inclusive landscapes, but you’re also becoming a vital part of a global movement that’s working tirelessly to create a healthier world for us all.
Every donation counts – no matter the amount. Thank you for being a part of our mission.
News to know in our bi-weekly digest
This month, three new reports reveal just how dire the state of the planet is now. But there’s still hope if we act now before things get worse.
Each year, we waste $1 trillion worth of food. Here’s why our global food system is broken – and how we can fix the problem of food waste.