Bapon (SHM) Fakhruddin, PhD

Earth Day 2024 is a day that reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect and preserve our planet. We are facing a crisis that threatens the very foundations of our existence – the plastic pollution crisis.

The statistics are alarming. We have already created 11 billion metric tons of plastic, surpassing the combined weight of all terrestrial and marine animals. Every year, we add another 430 million tons to this total, with a significant portion being single-use plastic that is briefly used and then discarded without a second thought. The economic loss is equally staggering, with 95% of the plastic used in packaging being disposed of after just one use, resulting in a loss to the economy of up to $120 billion annually.

But the environmental cost is even more devastating. Microplastics have infiltrated our air, water, and food. They have been found in human blood, colons, lungs, veins, breast milk, placentas, and fetuses. The average person consumes five grams of plastic weekly, mostly from water. Our tap water is contaminated, and microplastics have been found in our food.

We cannot continue to address the symptoms of this problem without tackling the root cause. We must dramatically reduce plastic production and make those who produce plastics pay for the damage they cause. We need to develop better, more recyclable products and find sustainable alternatives. We need to increase circularity, keep products in use as long as possible, and find ways to reuse their materials.

Advanced research is crucial in supporting the transition to a circular plastics economy and addressing environmental and climate change challenges. It can provide innovative solutions for efficient plastic waste management, develop new recycling technologies, and create more sustainable materials. MIT, with its world-class research facilities and brilliant minds, can lead the way in finding solutions to this crisis.

The health of our planet and the future of our children depend on the actions we take today. That is why hashtag#earthday2024 is unwavering in our commitment to end plastics for human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.