Every year on April 22, Earth Day unites millions across the globe in a shared mission to champion environmental protection. In 2025, with the theme “It’s Our Power, It’s Our Planet,” the focus is on collective responsibility and action. Among the pressing challenges we face, plastic pollution stands out as a silent yet devastating threat to both human and planetary health. Nowhere is this more evident than in cities like Kampala, where plastic waste clogs drainage channels, exacerbates flooding, and poisons ecosystems. The battle of “Planet vs. Plastics” is one we cannot afford to lose.

Plastics have become an inescapable part of modern life cheap, versatile, and convenient. Yet, this convenience comes at a steep cost. Globally, over 300 million tons of plastic are produced annually, with a significant portion ending up as waste. In Kampala, a good percentage of these plastic products bags, bottles, and packaging find their way into drainage systems. Instead of being recycled or properly disposed of, they accumulate, blocking water flow and turning streets into flood zones during heavy rains.

This is not just a local issue; it’s a global crisis. Plastics don’t biodegrade they break down into microplastics, tiny fragments that infiltrate soil, water, and even the air we breathe. These particles have been found in the deepest ocean trenches, the highest mountain peaks, and, alarmingly, in human blood and tissues. The planet is choking, and so are we.

Plastic pollution isn’t just an eyesore it’s a health hazard. When plastics clog drainage channels in Kampala, stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Floods caused by blocked drains displace families, destroy livelihoods, and expose communities to waterborne illnesses. Beyond these immediate dangers, the chemicals in plastics—such as BPA and phthalates—leach into the environment, contaminating food and water supplies. Studies link these toxins to a range of health issues, including hormonal disruptions, reproductive problems, and even cancer. Microplastics, now ubiquitous, carry these harmful substances directly into our bodies. The message is clear: what harms the planet harms us too.

Our planet’s ecosystems are buckling under the weight of plastic waste. Rivers and lakes, like those feeding into Lake Victoria near Kampala, are suffocating as plastic debris disrupts aquatic life. Fish ingest microplastics, which then move up the food chain, threatening biodiversity and the communities that rely on these resources. On land, soil contaminated with plastics loses its fertility, undermining agriculture and food security.

Globally, plastic pollution contributes to climate change. The production and incineration of plastics release greenhouse gases, while the slow degradation of plastic waste in landfills emits methane—a potent contributor to global warming. Every piece of plastic that ends up in   drainage channel or a river is a small but real blow to the planet’s ability to sustain life.

The theme of Earth Day 2025, “It’s Our Power, It’s Our Planet,” reminds us that the solution lies in our hands. In Kampala and beyond, we can fight back against plastic pollution with collective effort and smart strategies.

The floods in Kampala, the microplastics in our bodies, and the dying ecosystems around us are stark reminders that the planet is at war with plastics. But this is a war we can win. By choosing to act individually and collectively we reclaim our power to heal our planet. This Earth Day, let’s commit to a future where drainage channels run clear, where communities thrive without fear of floods, and where human and planetary health are in harmony. It’s our power, and it’s our planet let’s protect it.

Oyesigye Clinton Liberty
Ambassador International Human Rights Society