August 18th, 2019
Dear Patient Reader,
With the water level now much lower in the Vishwamitri River, it shocked me to see the amount of plastic waste the once submerged trees had caught in them. People aren’t wrong when they say that Vishwamitri is a sewer.
Growing up I was constantly reminded to dispose of a wrapper, and not on the ground or out the window because it’s easy. Because in the moment it’s very easy.
Education begins at home. When a child starts eating things which have wrappers, they have to be taught and told to dispose of it correctly. Plus, a child usually listens, doesn’t question, and grows up with the same good habit.
As much as seeing someone unconsciously throw the wrapper of a snack they enjoyed or the plastic bottle of a soft-drink that cooled them down on a hot day angers me, we understand that their actions are not their fault. Being aware of how fragile our environment is, is a value that has to be taught to be given importance, and to be understood at the core of its necessity.
Plastic is dangerous when not disposed of correctly, particularly in the environment of living organisms and in blocking natural waterways, drainage systems and sewerage, let alone the disposal of plastic and landfills.
When on a train journey, look outside and what do you see? Tracks lined with a thick cover of garbage, mainly plastic, for kilometres at a stretch. The sadness and anger I feel is my own.
But it isn’t their fault, because the last thing to be on the minds of the general population will be mindfulness, when they are struggling to feed their family, and comfort their hungry child. So this cycle continues, one generation to the next.
The problem of plastic and pollution is everyone’s story.
It’s a question of addressing the priority. Why do governments, too often, address projects which aren't a priority (we already know - commission, politics and politicians)?
Take Mauritius for example, instead of the Metro Express Project (Light Rail Transit) why not have created awareness about the possibilities of recycling and what it could mean for us and what it would change on the island. Does building recycling centres and implementing the 3-bin system of green (food and garden) – blue (dry) – black (non-recyclable) bins stand as big a project as compared to building a metro railway?
It would have been a sustainable approach to living, and taking a big step in caring for the fragile ecosystem of islands, like Mauritius.
From travelling for hours along plastic-lined tracks to littered beaches, the question is:
How can mass-public behaviour change? When did so many people loose touch with habits which were much more sustainable? Our grandparents grew up in a healthier world.
What is the government doing? And if they are, are we helping or how can we help?
I may not be a minimalist, or lead a plastic-free life, but conscious habits like using shopping bags instead of plastic bags at the market helps.
Another point being, that extensive solutions are realistically not possible at a global scale.
I regret writing this to you my patient reader but there is no real solution without industries taking enough or real action. As long as the supply continues, and the mass consumerist buys, pollution will prevail.
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