South Africa- mute on environmental pollution

On the most fundamental level, leaving trash on the ground instead of putting it where it belongs is an insult to anyone else who wants to use an area.

Environmental pollution is one of the biggest challenges that South Africa, and some parts of the world are still facing. It causes so much damage when for instance, there is rain or wind and the wastes run or is blown into rivers, lakes, ponds and streams causing aquatic animals e.g fish to die. Not only that, but the water sources feed major crops and food becomes contaminated with chemicals and bacteria causing health problems to humans. Environmental pollution can cause air pollution if waste is burned leading to issues such as weather changes etc.                                                                                                                       

What causes so much pollution and why is the world so disturbingly quiet about it?

Littering is not always done on purpose, some people litter because of carelessness, littering being a habit or because it is something they take lightly while others know very well that it is illegal to pollute the environment but still do it anyway because nobody can see them hence it is unlikely to get caught or shamed.

Littering is an issue involving the qualities of respect, intelligence and class. Those who litter are demonstrating their lack of respect, intelligence and class.

Yes, the South African government implemented projects that collect rubbish bins and also created employment by hiring people to sweep the streets, roads, to pick up papers, plastics, soda cans, left-over foods left behind by other people on the restaurant tables or anywhere else. The workers’ duties are to clean up after people who are ignorant enough to keep the environment clean. But did the government take it upoAn itself to also ensure that rural communities and the less developed townships also get the same privilege as the more developed townships and surbubs?

There are non-profit organizations such as National Recycling Forum (NFR) that were created to promote the recovery and recycling of recyclable materials in South Africa. In order for the country to reduce environmental pollution, people can start practicing the act of disposing wastes in a proper manner, take part in picking up plastic bottles, cans, metals and other recyclable materials and also have community programs where people will join together to pick up litter on days agreed upon by members of the community and lastly, to be self-conscious, meaning to realize that your actions can affect the next person and the environment as well.

 Tips to keep our spaces clean:

·         Properly dispose the waste without attempting to throw it in the bins only to miss it.

·         Dispose the waste after eating in any food outlet.

·         Do not stuff pieces of litter into gaps e.g between seats etc.

With the right education and awareness on different types of pollution, how they link up to destroy the country and the rest of the world, necessary measures must be taken to ensure that we end pollution.

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