Reducing plastic use and raising awareness of climate change at an NFESD symposium
As part of its scientific educational program, “Promoting Social Awareness of Climate Change,” the NFESD hosted a discussion titled “Limiting Plastic Use and Promoting Climate Change Awareness Through Printed Materials.” This session featured by Sabaa Bawzere, a researcher specializing in electronic and e-waste management.
The seminar, co-managed by Abd Al Salam Hebras, Climate Change Coordinator for the National Conference of the Environment, and Maeser Al Dabawi, aimed to educate participants on the definition and repercussions of plastic pollution and the efforts required to confront it.
Researcher Sabaa Bawzere initiated the seminar by providing a concise overview of plastic pollution, highlighting its escalating severity, environmental harm, and direct connection to the global climate change phenomenon. She also outlined strategies to reduce reliance on plastic and emphasized the potential contributions from environmental advocates, particularly the youth.
Bawzere asserted that the optimal solution to this serious threat to our planet’s safety lies in adopting comprehensive policies and strategies to limit the use of toxic plastic. She emphasized that recycling alone is insufficient for a radical solution to the phenomenon.
She elaborated, stating that “only 9% of used plastic is recycled, and 19% is burned. The remaining 50% ends up in landfills, seas, and other environments, leading to severe repercussions.”
Furthermore, she presented a collective overview of the increasing health risks associated with plastic pollution, stemming from the negative impacts of chemical materials included in plastic’s composition.
The researcher detailed various strategies to reduce our dependence on plastic, primarily through adopting sustainable alternatives, promoting recycling, and enhancing consumer awareness—a responsibility particularly for environmental advocates and the youth.
The seminar was concluded with rich discussions and valuable contributions from the participants, which many attendees regarded as both insightful and significant.
