12.02.2025. » 12:25
Environmental Challenges and Recycling as a Path to Sustainable Development
Pollution represents one of the greatest challenges of our time, with significant consequences for the environment and human health. As our planet undergoes severe changes, it is crucial to understand and address the issues caused by pollution. The far-reaching impacts of pollution not only devastate natural ecosystems but also diminish the quality of human life.
The exploitation of natural resources is immense, and while global supply chains are deeply intertwined with resource extraction, human activity has significantly contributed to environmental degradation. To restore the natural balance—achieving harmony between humanity and nature—it is essential to combine innovative solutions with ecological awareness. This means striving to elevate environmental consciousness among people, utilizing creative and educational workshops, and similar initiatives.
Why is recycling key to preserving resources?
In this text, I aim to explain the importance of recycling by using paper recycling as an example. Cellulose is the primary raw material for paper production, meaning that green areas must be destroyed to meet the demand for paper. Data shows that producing one ton of paper requires two tons of wood, 85,000 liters of water, and 7.4 MW of electricity. It takes six months for paper to decompose. When paper ends up in a landfill without the presence of oxygen, it produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. Methane's greenhouse effect is 24 times greater than that of carbon dioxide.
By recycling paper, we achieve a 40% energy savings, protect forests, and prevent methane emissions. Statistics reveal that recycling one ton of old paper saves 17 trees. Recycling office paper can save 24 trees, 34,000 liters of water, and approximately 3 MW of electricity. Economical, isn’t it? By reducing waste, we also reduce the consumption of natural resources. We need to view waste as a resource or a semi-finished product that, through recycling, becomes raw material for new products.
In northern Kosovo, there are numerous illegal dumpsites due to the lack of well-developed infrastructure for waste disposal and treatment. This leads to other issues, such as the creation of landfills, which is more prevalent in villages where there is no organized waste collection system by relevant institutions. By involving citizens in decision-making processes regarding the environment, greater respect for human rights and better environmental protection can be achieved. Pollution is not only a local threat but also a global one, as its consequences cross all borders, in various forms, such as through wind or food. The future of the younger generation depends on us. Due to our poor treatment of the planet, a significant number of plant and animal species are on the verge of extinction. Whatever humans create, nature can decompose, but the consequences will ultimately affect those who tried to dominate it.
For these reasons, we face numerous diseases and seek ways to overcome them. Our only solution lies in nature. Only through this approach can we achieve environmental justice and avoid an impending ecological disaster.
Author: Nevena Vulović – Master Environmental Engineer
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