The lawmaker representing Abia Central Senatorial Zone, Senator Akobundu Austin has raised alarm over the escalating threat of plastic pollution, calling for urgent and collective action to combat its impact on the planet.
Senator Akobundu made this call on Thursday, June 5th, during a speech delivered at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), as part of the institution’s 2025 World Environment Day celebration themed “Ending Plastic Pollution.” The event was organized by the university’s College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management.
Serving as Chief Guest of Honour, Senator Akobundu reflected on the history of World Environment Day, noting that the United Nations General Assembly established it in 1972, with the first celebration held in 1973 under the theme “Only One Earth.” However, more than five decades later, he questioned whether that message still holds true.
“Fifty-three years since it was established, the question we need to ask ourselves is, do we still have ‘Only One Earth,’ or is our Earth now being taken over by such man-made products like plastics which are unfortunately reputed to have taken over a high percentage of the earth surface?” Senator Akobundu asked.
Citing alarming statistics, he continued:
“In fact, a study by an Australian organisation led by paleontologist Jan Zalasiewicz claims that the amount of plastic wastes on the Earth is enough to cover the entire planet with plastic.
Having started producing plastic since the onset of the 20th Century, the earth is now recorded to have produced a whopping 8.3 billion tons of plastic with 6.3 billion tons of it becoming wastes.
“With 40 per cent of the ocean surface said to be already covered by plastic wastes and about 79 per cent of plastic wastes filling up the landfills and environment worldwide, with the health hazards they pose to us since plastic also enter our bodies in the form of microplastic through foods, water and packaging, one is compelled to refer to the theme of the first official celebration of the World Earth Day by the United Nations General Assembly, and ask, do we still have ‘Only One Earth’ or has our Earth been snatched away from us by plastic?”
Senator Akobundu said he would leave the question to the panelists and discussants at the event, whom he charged to “shine their light for us on the way forward.”
Represented at the event by Chief Stephen Mpamugo, a former Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Senator Akobundu also commended the organizers, particularly Prof. Princewill C. Ogbonna, Dean of the College, and the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, along with his management team, for their leadership and commitment.
He ended his remarks with a rallying call:
“The task to ‘End Plastic Pollution’ is that of all of us. We must therefore take deliberate steps to ensure it is pushed back—at home, in school, in the office, and everywhere.”
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th to raise awareness and promote global action on environmental issues.
