Discarding or incineration of used plastics releases harmful toxins into the environment, posing threats to both human health and biodiversity
From Correspondent
Khairpur, Sindh
The speakers at a seminar on Friday sounding a note of warning said that the plastic pollution is ruining the world.
“One million plastic bottles are purchased every minute and up to 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year. While discarding or incineration of used plastics releases harmful toxins into the environment, posing threats to both human health and biodiversity,” they said at a seminar organized by Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology and Skill Development Khairpur to mark the World Environment Day.
Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Dr. Rasool Bakhsh Mahar said in his address that environmental pollution has become a serious issue of Sindh and Pakistan. “This day reminds again how we can protect the planet? The aim is to create awareness among the public about improving the environment and eliminating pollution.”
He said that it’s the responsibility of the every citizen to protect the planet and its resources. “The use of plastic is very harmful to the earth” he said adding that there are 325 plastic particles in a plastic bottle, which are very harmful to human health.
“The use of plastic in the industrial sector should be reduced, which can greatly reduce environmental pollution,” he urged and also highlighted alternatives to single-use plastics as well as how people can take steps to combat the problem.
Deputy Commissioner Khairpur Dr. Sharjeel Noor Channa said that we have to reduce the use of plastic while planting saplings of trees is also the best practice for environmental protection.
He said that the time has come to beat plastic pollution and protect our oceans, rivers, canals and saving human lives.
Prof. Dr. Dur Muhammad Pathan, Pro Vice Chancellor Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Campus Khairpur said that at present we are facing environmental pollution and it is increasing dangerously which is causing many diseases in people.
“Overall, half of all manufactured plastics are designed for single-use purposes, used only once and then thrown away. Plastics, including micro-plastics, are now ubiquitous in our natural environment, World Environment Day 2023 calls for global cooperation and commitment to the SDGs.”
He said that the world is changing, people in every country are taking steps and new innovations coming to achieve the global goals that are considered as the basis of sustainable development and new ideas and solutions are coming out every day, World Environment Day 2023 is a reminder that governments and businesses need to take timely action to tackle the problem of plastic pollution. “Now is the time to accelerate this process.”
He said that plastic has many valuable uses, and we have become addicted to single-use plastic products, which are having serious environmental, social, economic and medical impacts. “One million Plastic bottles are purchased every minute worldwide while up to 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year.”
Yaoyan Chen of China also addressed the event and said that the whole world is currently facing the challenge of environmental pollution and it is increasing dangerously day by day. “It is our responsibility to protect this planet.”
She said that discarding or incineration of used plastics releases harmful toxins into the environment, posing threats to both human health and biodiversity.
“Nations and individuals need to adopt sustainable practices, reduce waste generation, promote recycling, and promote responsible consumption patterns throughout the value chain.”
On this occasion, a panel discussion was held in which Yaoyan Chen (China), Syed Qamar-ul-Zaman Shah, Professor Dr. Haider Abbas Mousavi, Professor Dr. Hussain Bakhsh Marri, Engineer Abdul Jabbar Sheikh, Dr. Zubair Ahmed, Riaz Ahmed, Touheed Ghani Mahesar, Sajid Ali Rajput, Abdul Wahab Sheikh also addressed and shared their views on environment.
Prof. Dr. Azad Lashari, Prof. Abdul Salam Sheikh, Ashiq Abbasi, Prof. Irshad Mandan, Mir Sajjad Hussain Talpur, Prof. Dr. Munthar Ali Kerio, Shafiqur Rahman Leghari, Engineer Umeer Patrick, Nausheen Memon, Engineer Ismatullah Memon and others from the university. A large number of teachers, scholars and students participated.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rasool Bakhsh Mahar gave commemorative shields to the guests.
At the end of the ceremony, a tree planting campaign was held in which the Vice Chancellor and the guests planted different types of saplings.
An environmental awareness walk was also organized in the event. Engineer Abdul Shakoor Shaikh and Aqsa Abro performed the duties of stage secretaries in the event.
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