The Plastics in Lake Uru Uru Are Part of a Bigger Problem
The state of the lake is a sad reminder what happens to nature when we decide to ignore the consequences of our polluting actions. But while the plastic pollution clogging Lake Uru Uru has a huge toll on the natural environment, there’s also a very real risk to humans. And that’s a risk hardly isolated to this corner of Bolivia.
Just this week, a major new report from the United Nations found that every aspect of plastics’ life cycle affects human health. The toll is particularly acute for those in economically and social disadvantaged groups, including women, children, the poor, migrants, and indigenous people, who are the most negatively affected. Cleaning up the lake is part of a much bigger issue that means winding down single-use plastic production. The world will also have to lend a hand helping clean up other communities where plastic waste has been dumped.
