Pollution, whether it’s on land, water or air, has been an ever-growing problem for centuries now, yet it generally doesn't command the attention it deserves. Unlike several immediate crises that capture the news headlines and political agendas, pollution is a slow-moving issue, though its presence and impact is disastrous, silently eroding ecosystems, damaging human health, and adversely affecting the future of our planet. Today, as we stand at the crossroads of a severe environmental crises, it is of utmost importance to understand the depth of this menace, and explore viable plans and policies to mitigate its effects before it’s actually too late! Hence, reducing the use of non-biodegradable materials, such as single-use plastics will definitely minimize plastic waste in the long run as globally, about 350 to 400 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated every year!

Understanding the Pervasive Impact of Pollution

Pollution is usually labelled as an environmental challenge as the harmful emissions from automobiles on road, or the huge heaps of plastic waste as landfills on the Earth’s surface and marine plastic pollution in seas and oceans have almost touched each and every aspect of life on Earth. From air and water pollution to soil contamination affecting the major water resources like the surface water in the form of rivers, lakes ponds, etc., and groundwater, including the seas and oceans are diverse, and the consequences are dire. It has been recorded that over 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, leading to diseases like cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea, dysentery, etc.

The most visible form, i.e., air pollution is mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels. This contributes largely to global warming by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere as well as increasing the carbon footprint. Moreover, Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) is responsible for millions of premature deaths annually due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, sustainable manufacturing companies like WAE, an expert in sustainable drinking water solutions and products, aim to reduce pollution by advocating the use of eco-friendly products like steel and reusable glass products which further help in reducing the carbon footprint!

Soil Pollution or contamination, primarily caused due to agricultural and industrial activities and improper waste disposal, affects agricultural productivity, food safety and even a vital resource of drinking water, i.e., groundwater. Heavy metals, pesticides, and even minute particles of plastics called microplastics that leach into the soil, which can lead to long-term damage to the ecosystem as it reaches the food chain, leading to serious health issues, some of which could even be fatal like cancers! Thus, eliminating disposable plastic containers and replacing them with sustainable or eco-friendly products like reusable glass water bottles, jars, cans, etc., or metallic products like steel is the need of the hour.
These forms of pollution interconnect in a web of destruction, contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss, and widespread human suffering. This crisis is not one that future generations will face; its effects are already manifesting globally. The question is: how will pollution shape our future if we don’t act decisively now?
What should be the Call to Action and the Future Ahead?

The crisis that our planet is facing today due to the huge accumulation of plastic waste is indeed a complicated issue that requires urgent action from all the sectors of the society as well as strict Government plans and policies that need to be honestly adhered to by all of us. The reason being the long-term environmental impact of this increasing plastic waste menace, both on land and water is severe! Also, proper water purification systems should be used to treat and purify the water for drinking, cooking and other potable purposes.

Thus, by strictly adhering to the the above-mentioned principles, followed by Government interventions in prohibiting the use of disposable plastics can definitely make a meaningful difference in reducing the burden of plastic waste on our planet. Nonetheless, these efforts should be collective, concerted and far-reaching. Additionally, implementing proper and efficient waste management techniques, along with water and waste retrofit solutions is an urgent need of the hour to save all living organisms, including the plants inhabiting the Earth!