Community in Crisis: The Impact of Environmental Pollution

Cause and effect theory: Every action has a reaction, and in this case, our actions towards environmental degradation such as plastic pollution have a reaction- the impacts, not just on the environment, but on our own lives. Indeed, “Mtoto akililia wembe mpe”. The exact depiction of mother nature giving us a blade since we asked for it. Should we cry when we bleed????

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• Health risks??

1. Waterborne diseases-cholera, bilharzia?

1. vector-borne diseases- malaria,??

1. Cancer-Lung cancer, liver cancer bladder cancer?

1. Respiratory diseases-asthma, bronchitis?

1. Allergies-skin rashes, inflammation, eczema?

1. Cardiovascular problems-heart attacks, strokes and hypertension?

1. Hormonal imbalances?

1. Birth defects?

1. Infertility?

1. Deaths?

These are some of the health-related risks that can be caused by polluting the environment. This cuts across all types of pollution.?

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• Climate related risks??

Extreme heatwaves?

Storms?

Floods??

Droughts??

Loss of lives?

Loss of livelihoods?

Displacements?

Loss of houses?

Destroyed infrastructure?

Economic implications?

Increased healthcare costs?

?How familiar are these diseases? How familiar are the climate related risks, how familiar are these costs? Yes, my thoughts too.??

?Sometimes along these streets you will find a sign boldly written, USITUPE TAKA HAPA!!?

What do you normally do? While some of you take the warning of that seriously, there are those who will always do the opposite. Is it ignorance or stupidity???

?Now we are all trying to research, innovate and formulate strategies and solutions, forgetting the first step is on you as an individual.??

Personal responsibility towards environmental pollution is the ability of you as an individual to desist from certain acts. “USIKOJOE HAPA!!, USITUPE TAKA HAPA” these are very simple instructions.??

?How often do you use the waste bins you find in designated areas along the streets???

?In Nairobi alone, scenes of trash around the waste bins are not new, how do they get to that point? While we can easily point out to the county government for failing to coordinate the collection of the waste, we forget those who continue to throw these wastes even after knowing it cannot take anymore.??

?Let’s take it upon ourselves to reflect on our actions, however insignificant. Be mindful of our environment for the environment to also be mindful of us.???

?Until we take responsibility, we will continue to suffer from various kinds of diseases, increase in the number of those we love, destroyed infrastructure, loss of livelihoods, climate related risks and economic implications.??

Who do we blame???

?ACT, NOW! Before it’s too late. ? ?

Written by,?

?Ruth Akoule?

Head of PMERL?

Youth and Urbanism?