By: Joshua Senuvie
Climate activist and Co-Founder of Chaint Afrique, engaged me and all listeners of Y107.9FM’s Ryse N’ Shyne, on Tuesday, in a compelling discussion on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the detrimental effects of human activities on the ozone layer.
Chaint Afrique is a Sustainability Services Company leveraging innovation and the power of social media to employ circular economy solutions.
During the interview, we established causes of the ozone layer’s depletion as the various human activities that are carried out daily. What I sought to get to the public was what to do and how to decrease these practices.
The interview presented thought-provoking insights into societal practices that, while normalized, pose significant threats to the ozone layer. It is important to note that environmentally-friendly practices are often adopted by the privileged, in this part of the world due to what they entail and their high costs. “It boils down to our way of life and unfortunately our way of life is literally aligned to what we can afford. Some of the choices we make are actually critical to the depletion of the ozone layer,” Mr. Sondo acknowledged.
Highlighting the environmental hazards posed by plastic use, he pointed out the pervasive issue of polybags, especially in Ghana. These ubiquitous carrier bags significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and ozone layer depletion. “Research has proven that these black polybags being used almost everywhere take about 400 years to decompose; just take a look at how many of us use that in a day. When you buy food, the vendors always insist on using these bags,” he explained.
Beyond plastic use, improper waste disposal and inadequate water treatment and supply were identified as major threats to the ozone layer. He stressed that combating climate change requires collective action from all societal members. Emphasizing the need for a shift towards more environmentally-friendly materials, he advocated for the adoption of a circular economy to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. “If you can’t take that waste out, then design it in a way that can be reused. Embrace the circular economy. When you go circular, you are looking through your entire supply system – your collaborators, your production system, your supply chain – and through all of that, you are making sure that you reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions into the atmosphere,” he suggested.
This forward-thinking discussion underscored the urgent need for sustainable practices to protect the ozone layer and mitigate the impacts of climate change, highlighting the role of each individual in fostering environmental stewardship.
