By Wanja Mwaniki
Kenyan environmental activist James Wakibia has launched a new campaign advocating for a legally binding global treaty to combat plastic pollution. Wakibia, known for his pivotal role in banning single-use plastics in Kenya in 2017, is now pushing for a global solution to tackle the ongoing menace. His latest initiative, branded as #RethinkPlastics and #RedesignPlastics, seeks to drastically reduce the production and use of plastics worldwide.
Wakibia emphasizes that despite efforts to limit plastic use, the issue remains a significant threat to the environment and human health. He warns of plastic’s omnipresence, claiming, “I want to show the world that plastic is omnipresent, even inside our own bodies.”
His campaign has taken him across Kenya, visiting areas heavily affected by plastic pollution. Wakibia’s previous activism, which successfully led to the ban on plastic bags in the country, laid the groundwork for his current global vision. Reflecting on the success of the ban, he noted, “The ban itself largely being successful because supermarkets and shops stopped dispensing plastic bags. The main challenge today is that smaller illegal plastic bags are now all over being used openly by a large population.”
Wakibia is particularly concerned about microplastics, stating that while there are no definitive studies on their health effects, “I believe that in time, we will be shocked to discover the dangers these tiny plastics pose. They might even cause cancer; we will know soon enough.” He underscores the dangers posed by chemical additives in plastics, which are already linked to various health problems.
In addition to pushing for a global treaty, Wakibia urges individuals to change their habits, advising people to avoid using plastic containers for hot food, non-stick pans, and plastic cutting boards. “In my campaigns, I also urge people to avoid consuming hot food from plastic containers, cooking with non-stick pans, and using plastic cutting boards,” he explained.
His greatest concern lies in the realization that humans are now ingesting and inhaling plastics due to their increased production and widespread use. “We are breathing, eating, and drinking plastic. This should concern us all and prompt us to take action. That’s why I want to spread these messages far and wide,” Wakibia added.
As part of his new campaign, Wakibia plans to visit various plastic pollution hotspots to document the issue and rally global support for a legally binding treaty. He hopes that this movement will gain momentum by the time negotiators convene in South Korea for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC5) meeting later this year.
“It is my hope that by the end of this year, and as negotiators meet in South Korea for Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee INC5, that finally the world will have an instrument to eradicate plastic pollution that is ravaging our planet,” Wakibia said.
