Ever wondered how deadly that squeaky clean-looking plastic bottle in your hand can be? Chances are you’re pretty well aware of it. But then, like millions of your fellow beings, you too can’t do much about it.

Isn’t that so?

But wait. Here is a day that reminds us of our follies so we could take up the gauntlet on behalf of our Blue Planet and our environment, and resolve to do our bit, in whatever ways we can, to lessen the plastic burden from the only habitable planet we know of so far.

This year, on April 22, as announced by the Earth Day Network (EDN), the Earth Day will be mobilizing efforts and opinion to end plastic pollution.

Annual Event

The Earth Day, a modern environmental protection movement, is an annual event observed on April 22 worldwide. It’s a day on which a slew of events is held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events are now coordinated globally in more than 193 countries by the EDN.

Qatar, which has consistently championed the cause of environment, will be joining the global campaign aimed at chalking out concerted efforts to root out the menace of plastic pollution which puts into peril our current and future generations.

The global efforts this year will focus on eliminating single use plastics along with bringing in uniform regulation for the disposal of plastics. The extensive use of plastics has caused massive damage to the environment including pollution of the oceans, water, and wildlife, while also creating serious global health problems.

As of now, the task may look quite daunting. But then all you have to do is to carefully unfold the layers of the stark reality and you’ll quickly be goaded into resolving to join the global efforts to promote 100 percent recycling of plastics, corporate and government accountability, end single use plastics and altering human behavioral changes to face this unprecedented challenge staring in the face of mankind.

Earth Day is an occasion for the global community to reiterate its resolve to fight climate change and work towards fostering a sustainable and healthy environment where the future generations can have a better life and future.

Some Shocking Facts About Plastics in Our Oceans

According to www.ecowatch.com, here are some shocking facts about plastics in our oceans:

• At least 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year. That's similar to emptying a garbage truck of plastic into an ocean every minute
• There is more micro plastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way
• A total volume of 322 million tons of plastic were produced in 2015 — the same weight as 900 Empire State Buildings (which is made of granite and steel)
• Around 60-90 percent of marine litter is plastic-based!
• More than 50 percent of sea turtles have consumed plastic!
• The amount of plastic in the world's oceans could increase by a factor of 10 in the next decade!
• Cigarette butts, plastic bags, fishing gear, and food and beverage containers are the most common forms of plastic pollution found in the oceans!

For more info on Earth Day 2018, click here.

What are you planning today for World Earth Day 2018? Are you looking at activities like, for example, beach clean-up exercises or collecting plastic leftovers? Drop us a line in the comments below and don't forget to like and share this article!

(Words by Filos)

(Images courtesy of IStock Photos)

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Sonkie

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