Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, posing significant threats to both human health and the environment. As we observe World Environment Day today (June 5, 2023), it is crucial to shed light on the harmful effects of plastic pollution and raise awareness about the urgent need for action. This global observance serves as a timely reminder that the choices we make today have far-reaching consequences for the well-being of our planet and future generations. Harmful Effects of Plastic Pollution on Human Health Plastic pollution has become a major environmental concern in recent years, and its impact on human health is a growing area of research. Here are some of the harmful effects of plastic pollution on human health. Exposure to Microplastic Microplastics, small plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, have infiltrated various aspects of our lives, including our food and water sources. These tiny particles are found in high concentrations in the oceans, freshwater bodies, and even the air we breathe. Seafood, such as fish and shellfish, often contain microplastics due to their ingestion of plastic debris in the marine environment. As a result, when we consume these contaminated seafood, we unknowingly ingest microplastics. Read more: Effects of Air Pollution on Unborn Children, Neonates, Infants Microplastics can accumulate in our bodies over time, causing potential harm. These particles can pass through the intestinal wall and migrate to other organs, leading to inflammation, tissue damage, and disruption of normal cellular functions. Some studies suggest that microplastics may also have the potential to transport harmful chemicals and pathogens, further exacerbating health risks.

"Only One Earth," the theme of this year's World Environment Day, underlines the significance of preserving biodiversity and protecting ecosystems so as to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. "In the universe are billions of galaxies. In our galaxy are billions of planets. But there is #OnlyOneEarth. Let's take care of it," the United Nations said on its website, highlighting ways to reverse the destruction of nature. One day ahead of World Environment Day, which falls on June 5 annually, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged businesses worldwide to put sustainability at the heart of their decision-making for the sake of humanity and their own bottom line. "We are asking too much of our planet to maintain ways of life that are unsustainable," and this hurts not only Earth but also its inhabitants, the UN chief said. Read: Balance development with environment, PM tells at event on World Environment Day "This planet is our only home," the top UN official said, warning the planet "cannot keep up with our demands." It is of utmost importance to safeguard the "health of the planet, including its atmosphere, ecosystems and finite resources," Guterres emphasized. Themed "work together to build a clean and beautiful world," China's national event marking the 2022 World Environment Day was held on Sunday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. China has achieved inspiring and remarkable outcomes in fighting climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, said on Sunday, commending China's measures on mainstreaming biodiversity, including establishing national parks and drawing up ecological redlines. At the Thomas van der Hammen Forest Reserve in Bogota, Colombian musicians worked side by side with locals on the World Environment Day, accompanied by nature sounds compiled over three years under the "Bosque Sonoro" initiative. Combined with a reforestation project led by the citizen collective Sembradores van der Hammen, the initiative has resumed its activities suspended during the pandemic by planting native aliso and hayuelo plant species in the reserve. "Natural spaces in cities are very important because they give us oxygen, they give us quality of life. They can even protect us from future pandemics, if we have healthy biodiversity in green spaces with oxygen and that we can visit," musician and environmental activist Hector Buitrago told Xinhua. Read: How Can One Person Reduce Environmental Pollution? Pakistan, one of top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, highly values the global efforts to combat climate change, halt and reverse biodiversity loss, reduce pollution, and restore ecosystems, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The South Asian country is already in the midst of one of the world's most ambitious efforts to expand and restore its forests, according to the foreign ministry. "We reaffirm our resolve in taking action on combating climate change, protecting biological diversity, and reversing ecosystem degradation," said the foreign ministry. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that India's efforts to protect the environment have been multifaceted. "India is working on a long-term vision in collaboration with the international community on protecting the environment and established organizations like Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, International Solar Alliance," he said in a speech marking the World Environment Day. Ethiopia has recently embarked on an ambitious tree-planting initiative, planting over 350 million trees in a single day. "As a nation, we are committed to environmental protection. In Ethiopia, we brought environmental protection to the level of the constitution," said Getahun Garedew, director-general of the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EEPA). This year's edition of the annual World Environment Day celebrations is a four-day affair in Ethiopia, hosted by the EEPA and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), featuring activities ranging from awareness-raising panel discussions, exhibitions to promotion of environment-friendly initiatives. Read: Healthy plants can protect environment, boost economies: FAO UNEP representative to Ethiopia Margaret Oduk said the global community should rethink the current business-as-usual modality as the world is faced with "a nature emergency mode." "We only have one planet; we only have one earth that we have to live on. So we must protect it as it is our only home," Oduk said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday underlined the need for protecting the environment to ensure sustainable development in the country. “For sustainable development there should be coordination with environment and development. Otherwise, development cannot be sustainable,” she said. The premier was speaking at the Tree Fair and Campaign for Tree Plantation programme to mark the World Environment Day at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). Also read: PM: South Asia needs to boost cooperation to end poverty Hasina virtually joined the event from her official residence Ganobhaban. The theme for World Environment Day this year is “Only One Earth”, with focus on “living sustainably in harmony with nature”. The PM said that while going for development that everyone has to adopt the nature based solution. “This is urgently needed,” she said. She said that every development project in the country has to fulfill one condition: to plant at least five trees for each tree felled for it. Bangladesh, she said, needs development for improving the people’s lives. But the development must be fairly balanced with the nature and environment, she observed. She mentioned her government is setting up 100 economic zones across the country to prevent indiscriminate industrialization and preserve the arable lands. She said these projects have provision of harvesting rain water to preserve the ground water. The PM reiterated her call not to leave a single inch of arable land uncultivated as the world is under threat of scarcity of food grains due to Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war. “Our land is fertile and we have manpower, we have to produce our own crops, we will produce whatever we need, we will have to shun our dependency on others,” she said. She said the manpower of Environment Ministry has been increased to 1133 from 265, the environment directorate office has been set up in 50 districts and gradually every district will get an office. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin, Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar, chairman of parliamentary affairs committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Saber Hossain Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion while its Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed gave the address of welcome.

Bangladesh's Shougat Nazbin Khan has won the "GREEN Prize 2021" for her environmental activities.Nazbin is serving as Climate Ambassador at World Bank's Global Youth Climate Network (GYCN) and as Young  Ambassador of ‘The Earth Project’ supported by UNESCO. Nazbin is also a United Nations Young Leader for SDGs, Asia 21 Young Leader Fellow, Commonwealth Youth Awardee, Green Talent Awardee, and Forbes 30 under 30 honouree. Read Global Youth Climate Summit 2021 urges pressing actions to combat climate change The Grassroots Rising Environmental Education Network (GREEN) Prize honours leaders and educators who step up to address environmental issues, lead environmental education initiatives, or shine a light on environmental injustice within their communities. Ten finalists from across the globe were selected based on their excellence in environmental initiatives and the quality of their proposed environmental projects. Then the competition was open for public voting for a very short period.

A nine-day online Miniature Art Project DOOB (Immersion) will begin on Thursday. Young Bangladeshi artist Azizee Fawmi Khan is the initiator of this project which is her very first attempt at art curation. The virtual art project will be showcased on social media platforms from June 25 to July 3. Azizee said Doob is an independent and multidisciplinary online based 'Miniature' art project intended to showcasing nine emerging young artists' works from Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged the people to plant trees in the 'Mujib Borsho' for protecting the environment of the country.

Marking the World Environment Day, speakers at a webinar on Saturday stressed on urgent action for nature’s conservation to prevent pandemic.   

Wildlife conservation organisation WildTeam on Friday celebrated the World Environment Day with a call to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of wildlife and the environment.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all to care for nature saying nature is sending a clear message to all.   "To care for humanity, we must care for nature," said the UN chief in a message on World Environment Day that falls on Friday.    The UN chief said they need entire global community to change course. "Let’s rethink what we buy and use."   He said they are harming the natural world – to their own detriment.   The UN chief said habitat degradation and biodiversity loss are accelerating. "Climate disruption is getting worse."   Guterres said fires, floods, droughts and superstorms are more frequent and damaging.   Oceans are heating and acidifying, destroying coral ecosystems, he said.     "And now, a new coronavirus is raging, undermining health and livelihoods," the UN chief said.    He urged all to adopt sustainable habits, farming and business models, safeguard remaining wild spaces and wildlife.    "And commit to a green and resilient future," said Guterres.   He said as they work to build back better, "let’s put nature where it belongs -- at the heart of our decision making."   "On this World Environment Day, it’s time for nature," said Guterres.    

The World Environment Day is being observed in the country as elsewhere around the world on Friday with a call to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment.