Beat Plastic Pollution: A Call to Action
Last year, an international team of scientists identified 144 animals from 35 species, including a white-throated kingfisher, horseshoe crab and whale shark entangled in ghost nets in India. Of these, 13 species are endangered or vulnerable, primarily in coastal and freshwater areas due to abandoned or discarded fishing gear. As World Environment Day 2025 goes with the urgent theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” we are reminded that this synthetic material, once a symbol of progress, now threatens to suffocate life itself.
The statistics are overwhelming: more than 460 million tonnes of plastic produced each year, rivers choked with our discarded waste, and microplastics found in everything from human blood to Arctic ice. But rather than succumb to despair, we must view this moment as a call to action, a chance to shape a new legacy.
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects us all. It’s not just a future concern; it’s very much a part of our present. We’re surrounded by it—in the air we breathe, the food we consume, and even within our own bodies. Since 2020, the global production of plastic has jumped by 30%. This increase is largely fuelled by a throwaway culture and insufficient regulations. Today for every three tons of fish in our oceans, one ton is plastic. Microplastics, tiny and often invisible have seeped into our ecosystems and are associated with serious health issues, including hormone disruption and chronic illnesses.
The infamous Great Pacific Garbage Patch has now grown to twice the size of Texas. For many coastal communities, from Indonesia to Nigeria, plastic waste is a harsh daily reality. It clogs drainage systems, contributes to flooding, and threatens their livelihoods. We need to recognize the urgency of this crisis and take action to combat plastic pollution before it worsens.
Humanity may have been slow to respond at first, but there’s a growing sense of determination that’s starting to shine through. More than 100 countries have come together to ban single-use plastics, with the European Union leading the way by phasing out non-recyclable packaging. Kenya’s strict plastic bag ban, once mocked as impractical, has slashed pollution and inspired regional policies. Innovators are getting creative, developing alternatives like algae-based packaging, edible cutlery, and mycelium “leather,” which show that sustainability can be both practical and inspiring.
On the grassroots level, there’s a remarkable shift happening, with zero-waste stores popping up everywhere from Berlin to Bangalore. Even fishermen in Kerala are getting involved, pulling plastic out of the ocean and turning it into materials for roads. These aren’t just isolated successes; they’re powerful examples of what a world without plastic could look like, a roadmap for a healthier planet.
Despite some advancements, progress in recycling remains inconsistent. A mere 9% of all plastic ever created has actually been recycled, and the idea of “green consumerism” often hides a lack of action from corporations. Fast fashion companies churn out 100 billion garments each year, many made with polyester, while beverage manufacturers push back against initiatives to encourage bottle reuse. In the Global South, waste-pickers, who play a crucial role in recycling work in dangerous conditions for minimal pay, managing the waste that the West discards. At the same time, microplastics continue to bypass filtration systems, and oil companies are shifting their focus to plastic manufacturing as the demand for fossil fuels declines, thus perpetuating a cycle of ecological harm.
To tackle plastic pollution effectively, we need to think beyond just recycling our products; we must redefine entire systems. There are three key pillars that will play a vital role in this transformation. The first will be a policy with teeth. A binding global treaty, similar to the Paris Agreement, must cap production and hold corporations accountable for cradle-to-grave product lifecycles. Taxes on virgin plastic, subsidies for alternatives, and polluter pays laws can discourage the throwaway attitude.
Second will be innovation and equity, which will involve investing in affordable, low-tech solutions for developing nations like composting hubs, decentralized recycling and at the same time scale up breakthroughs like enzymatic plastic digestion. We should also ensure that waste-pickers are provided dignified and formalized roles. Lastly, there has to be a cultural shift in which we normalize reuse. For example, milkman models for groceries can be implemented where containers are returned, sterilized, and refilled. In order to revive environmental literacy, schools and media must play an active role to foster pride in stewardship rather than convenience.
This World Environment Day is not just another occasion; it’s a wake-up call. Plastic pollution serves as a stark reminder of our choices, short-term ease versus intergenerational justice. However, history showcases our remarkable ability to innovate and adapt. Just as the Montreal Protocol successfully repaired the ozone layer and rivers like the Thames have been revitalized from pollution, we have the power to change the course once again.
As the sun begins to rise on June 5, 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on our commitment, not just to clean our beaches but to reshape our world in a way that prioritizes the health of our planet over the convenience of plastic. Think of the animals that had been entangled in the ghost nets and then released back into the water once more. It’s a powerful reminder that this battle is about more than just the environment; it’s about the air we breathe, the heartbeats of our loved ones, and the future we want for our children. The tide is changing, and together, we can be part of that shift. Let’s embrace it and create a better tomorrow.
Mohammad Irshad Rather, School of Climate Change and Sustainability, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru
