Plastics - A larger than life problem

So last month, I was roaming in the some of the remote islands of Indonesia, some of which with a population as little as 2000 individuals (Komodo Islands). These islands are pretty far remote and from the first look of it - only one word comes to my mind - Pristine.

The oceanic wildlife here consists of Manta rays, Turtles, beautiful Corals, a wide variety of fishes - all in all a very rich bio-diverse oceanic life. Life on land is equally rich - flora and fauna endemic to these islands, quasi cloud forests, mangrove forests, Komodos, just to name a few.

Yet plastics have made their way in here! (Scroll for pictures). The ones beaching on the shores of these islands are mostly from the main islands's (Java) disposal. There are a number of programs to clean and control that part already and the blog is not about that. This blog is less about local initiatives and more about the hurt I felt as a human being, for simply consuming the nature around us. I will let the pictures do most of the talking with some words for a bit of guidance.

Eliminating plastics entirely is neither practical nor achievable in a single sweep -

While some may argue that eradicating plastics entirely is the ultimate solution, the reality is far more complex. Plastics cannot be replaced overnight, even if alternatives were readily available. Moreover, we must contend with the sheer volume of plastic already present in our environment. In the meantime, interim solutions like recycling are essential and will continue to play a critical role until a permanent and practical solution is developed and effectively implemented.

Collection is a big bottleneck -

However, recycling alone has not been sufficient to address the problem, as plastics still find their way into every corner of the planet. This might be due to the fact that the recycling infrastructure is not sufficient, but that is not all true. A key obstacle lies in the collection of plastic waste, which must occur before recycling can take place.

Mangroves to rescue the plastics from entering the water bodies - for how long?

Locals shared with me that they rely on mangroves to act as a natural barrier against waste entering the ocean. These residents, intimately familiar with these pristine environments, may not fully grasp the devastating consequences of introducing non-biodegradable waste. Plus the very tourism industry that thrives on these breathtaking views and is a vital source of revenue, faces a serious threat if these wild landscapes are degraded.

As mentioned before, these have also been acting as natural barriers for waste to enter the water bodies. However the excess waste stuck on the aerial roots suffocate these trees and become the reason for their very doom. Indeed, the not so far India has lost 40% of its mangroves by 1987 in the last century for various reasons, land and water pollution among one of them.

Lack of awareness -

While there are several logistical and systemic bottlenecks in waste collection, a larger issue often stems from a lack of awareness and education at the grassroots level, coupled with inconsistent enforcement of rules and regulations.

I happen to spend a lot of my time talking to the boat captain (native from Komodo islands) and other local folks. In conversations with similar locals and tribal communities on various islands, I found that many folks here do not perceive plastic as harmful—only as something unsightly. This lack of understanding underscores the need for targeted education initiatives to shift attitudes and behaviors toward plastic waste. Imagine a community living in perfect harmony with nature, only to suddenly face the need to adapt to the modern innovations!

The problem, however, is not confined to locals. During my visits to these islands, I observed tourists, including educated individuals from Western countries, India, and elsewhere, casually littering rather than responsibly disposing of their waste (even if there were waste bins close-by)

Education on responsible waste management is therefore a must across all levels of society—locals, tourists, and even businesses operating in these regions. In India, another country grappling with similar issues, the government has also introduced simple yet effective educational campaigns, such as trucks going door-to-door to collect waste while broadcasting the benefits of waste segregation through loudspeakers. Perhaps, as an additional deterrent, stricter enforcement of anti-littering laws, coupled with fines, could help drive behavioral change.

In summary, education is a must but may be a littering fine would do just better ;)

Take home message - I have none for you, this is our collective responsibility to conserve our home that is this planet we call Earth. As for me, I do not believe in New Year Resolutions but I am certain of this - that preserving this planet will remain one of my lifelong obsessions! To preserving this planet we call home -

Cheers,