By Daniel Itai
African countries have been advised to invest in recycling to mitigate the effects of climate change, which are currently taking a toll on other parts of the world.
Currently, the rest of the world is facing incessant rains, high temperatures, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tornadoes without any end in sight due to climate change.
However, much of the world, especially in North America, Europe, Australia, and some parts of Asia, are well-equipped to deal with natural disasters, unlike Africa, which must ensure that these natural disasters are mitigated from the onset as much as possible.
“As we address the urgent issue of plastic pollution, let’s remember: This isn’t a local challenge, it’s a global responsibility. Despite contributing just 6% to plastic production, Africa’s shores carry 90% of ocean plastic. The world is interconnected, and our actions ripple across continents. Fighting plastic pollution isn’t just about cleaner seas. It’s also about climate action. Plastic production creates emissions equivalent to the entire African continent, and reducing plastic use can help us lower global emissions and meet ambitious climate targets,” said Dr. Richard Munang, an environmentalist.
Dr. Munang also emphasized that plastic pollution knows no borders, and by taking collective responsibility, investing in recycling, reuse, and diversification, the world can tackle this urgent global challenge and reach ambitious climate targets.
Furthermore, Dr. Munang highlighted that Africa was now setting a global precedence in renewable sources of energy.
“Africa is now emerging as a dynamic player in clean energy. Our manufacturing sector is skyrocketing, defying historical challenges and quadrupling its value since the start of the century. Studies from Sustainable Energy for All now reveal that African nations such as Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, and Ghana are stepping into the global arena, matching the might of manufacturing titans like China in solar module production. With home-grown manufacturing, we are not just creating
jobs and reducing imports, but also making solar technology accessible and affordable to everyone. Harnessing the abundant mineral resources right in our backyard, we are ready to lead the renewable energy
revolution,” said Dr. Munang.