World Environment Day
Thursday 5 June 2025 was World Environment Day. Sophie, from ‘Husband, Wife, Strangers’, gives her take on it.
Photo by Aldward Castillo on Unsplash
Says Sophie:
‘This year’s World Environment Day focused on the reduction of plastic pollution, something that’s close to my heart. In my studies at university I have seen the terrible damage that plastics are doing to our oceans, and the life within them.
Researchers estimate that humans have produced over 9 billion tons of plastics, of which 7 billion have become waste.
We all see examples of discarded plastics littering our roadsides, hedgerows and beaches. But an even more sinister problem is that plastic often breaks down into tiny particles, called microplastics and nanoplastics. These are ingested and build up in the bodies of people, animals and fish. Microplastics have even been found in breast milk. A study has found that on average, a plastic one-litre bottle of water contains around 240,000 microplastic particles. Microfibres too, pose a frightening risk to the environment.
Recycling helps, but less than 10 per cent of plastics are recycled. And whilst there are many reasons for this, scarily, recycling systems simply can’t keep up with the explosion of plastic waste.
As for the solution, we have to reduce our dependence on single-use plastic products and embrace alternatives. We also have to find ways to make plastic products less dangerous. And a better approach would ultimately save billions in environmental and health costs. Everyone can help. It starts with awareness. There’s so much information out there, so ignorance is no excuse.
Please do all you can to help. For the sake of humanity and the planet.’
Sophie x