A Voice for the Ocean on World Environment Day

Sharrif injamu cleaning at Mwagandizo beach in kwale County

As the world marked World Environment Day, the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” resonated strongly across the globe. In Kenya, Shariff Injamu, a passionate marine ecologist working with the Africa Climate and Environment Foundation (ACEF), took to the airwaves on Blue Radio’s special show “Wimbi la Mazingira” to shed light on the devastating effects of plastic pollution on marine life and coastal communities.

Sharrif injamu took urgent action against plastic pollution, he says the theme of the year is timely but as we live in our society if we don’t put in the effort considering the current situation, we might fail to control the plastic crisis.

His appearance came as part of a larger movement calling for grassroots awareness and policy change which it was something that started in Uruguay. Then went to France, then Nairobi, and Canada.

 As part of his role with the Africa Climate and Environment Foundation, he works closely with local communities, fishermen, and conservation groups to monitor marine biodiversity and push for sustainable ocean practices.
Sharrif injamu collecting plastic wastes

“If we don’t act now, we’ll loose our ocean “ Marine is already dying, coral reefs are choking, and our livelihoods are at risk.”
He further explained that plastic waste from households, hotels, and tourist activities often ends up in the sea, harming fish and sea turtle,shariff also pointed out that microplastics have different densities and due to high plastic pollution fish consume plastics instead of planktons which  are now found in fish hence consumed by humans, posing a direct threat to health like breast cancer.

Sharrif says plastics that are found in the ocean like nets that have broken or, in one way or another, end up being thrown into the ocean which some of them are not even visible and they disintegrate to about 430 years.

"The United Nations is trying to find ways to create a legally binding tool to control plastic pollution, including  the marine environment. Just like we have other environmental treaties, like the one for biological diversity, they’re also trying to come up with what is called the Global Plastic Treaty. This one would address issues related to plastics in use and explore the ways we, as countries, can work together to tackle the problem."

He praised recent efforts by the Kenyan government in 2017 to ban single-use plastics in protected areas but stressed that enforcement and public education remain challenges.
Shariff also highlighted the importance of engaging the youth, noting that the next generation will bear the brunt of today’s environmental mistakes. Through ACEF programs, he has been actively involved in school and beach clean-up campaigns along the coast.
 Shariff Injamu’s remind us that the fight is both local and global — and that change begins with awareness, advocacy, and action.

https://youtu.be/Qb9RojkARkg?si=OStpK0gH2HP7GfTr

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