Nigeria is the world’s 2nd biggest plastic polluter: expert insights into the crisis

Nigeria is the world’s 2nd biggest plastic polluter: expert insights into the crisis

By Wale Fatade, The Conversation Plastic pollution is a major problem in Nigeria. Recent research identified the country as a plastic pollution hotspot, second to India. India emits 9.3 million tonnes of plastic into the environment each year – one fifth of the global total. Nigeria emits 3.5 million tonnes annually. Just how big is the issue and what can be done about it? The Conversation Africa […]

September 12, 2024 16

Namibia

Study Reveals Brightly Colored Plastics Degrade Faster, Amplifying Microplastic Pollution

The study by researchers from the University of Cape Town and the University of Leicester found that brightly colored plastics degrade into microplastics faster than plain-colored ones. This suggests that manufacturers should reconsider the use of certain colorants to reduce microplastic pollution. Local ecologist Peter Cuningham shared this on the study.

June 12, 2024 18

Environment

Microplastics in Nigeria’s Osun River: new study flags alarmingly high levels

The Osun River in Nigeria has high levels of microplastics in its water, sediment and fish. Gideon Idowu, Author provided Gideon Idowu, Federal University of Technology, Akure The Osun River is one of the major rivers in southern Nigeria. It flows from its source in Ekiti State, through several states, before emptying into Lagos state’s Lekki Lagoon. It is an important source of water for the communities that live around […]

April 8, 2024 22

Environment

Microplastics found in Nile River’s tilapia fish: new study

A fisherman on the River Nile. Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images Dalia Saad, University of the Witwatersrand The Nile is one of the world’s most famous rivers. It’s also Africa’s most important freshwater system. About 300 million people live in the 11 countries it flows through. Many rely on its waters for agriculture and fishing to make a living. The Nile’s two main tributaries, the Blue Nile and the White […]

February 7, 2024 15

Africa

Nigeria’s plastic ban: why it’s good and how it can work

By Temitope O. Sogbanmu, University of Lagos Two weeks into January 2024, Nigerian authorities took steps to curb environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution in the country. The Federal Ministry of Environment and the Lagos State government both announced bans on single-use plastics. The Federal Ministry of Environment was the first to issue a directive. It banned single-use plastics in its own departments and agencies. The Lagos State government […]

January 31, 2024 37