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Keeping our surroundings habitable is one of those major responsibilities that rests upon our shoulders that however, some of us do not take that seriously.A� Once the natural order is upset, or simply put, where pollution overwhelms the environment, it gives rise to diseases and many environmental challenges that may impact on both flora and fauna.
The spectre of disease looms large where hygiene is not taken as seriously as it should.A� We have seen recent reports of outbreaks of typhoid in major towns and this is a reflection of poor hygiene.
Our urban population continues to grow at a pace that is faster than improvement in our waste management systems, leading to serious pollution challenges. We need to be conscious of the challenge of pollution and confront it head-on.
Environmental regulations meant to curtail plastic pollution have played their role to a certain extent since people now re-use plastic bags due to the fact that they pay for these at retail shops.
However, we have thousands of tonnes of plastic and kaylite packaging material in our storm drains, streams and bushes. We are approaching the festive season and there shall be a lot of drinking and eating, and the packaging material is usually strewn all over the place.
While we urge the public to dispose of litter properly, there is also a need to clear the clogged storm drains, the streams and bushes that are teeming with such non-biodegradable material. It is a time bomb.
The level of pollution in many areas is quite alarming and this practice of dumping all forms of waste in storm drains, illegal dumping areas and streams is a cause for concern. Some of the areas have a become breeding ground for mosquitoes while some of the clogged areas cause flash floods when it rains while over time our ground water sources become contaminated.
Earlier in the week, the United Nations Environment Assembly held a meeting in Kenya as part of efforts by the 193-member organisation to reduce pollution through adopting mitigating strategies.
With UN statistics showing that 6,5 million people die annually from pollution-related illnesses around the globe, it is quite crucial that we tackle pollution to save lives.A� Pesticides are also listed among major pollutants with 25 million agricultural workers estimated to experience unintentional poisoning.
Added to that, about 80 percent of waste water is said to enter the environment without being treated.A� We see all forms of pesticides on sale on the streets around us and waste water flowing into streams daily, worsening our pollution burden.
At an individual level, we believe, we can do something by using refuse bins and disposing of waste at designated sites. While waste piles up due to pollution raising a stink in our environs, vegetation has also been decimated largely in areas where it is a source of energy.
It is our hope that Zimbabweans adopt a culture of planting trees, especially during this national tree planting period.A� If we do not act now desertification might just overtake us while we choke under the weight of pollution. . . .
Online Reporter