José Luis Gallego, Spanish journalist, writer, teacher and expert in sustainability and responsible citizenship, provided us with current data on environmental pollution and explained the impact this has on people’s health in an interview for Cantabria Labs.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE CLIMATE CRISIS HAS A SOLUTION?
“The climate crisis is advancing and yet we still have time to fix most things. It is something that affects everyone and not just environmentalists. The evolution of climate change is science, it is not an opinion.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PLASTIC POLLUTION?
“One of the issues that worries me the most is plastic pollution. Every year we dump more than 12 billion tons of plastic into the sea, which floats on the surface forming the famous islands of plastic seen from satellites. It is known that there are currently 5 islands located in each of the oceanographic currents.
Plastics floating in the seas cover an area of 17 million square kilometers, the equivalent of all of Europe and Australia combined. It is an alarming fact, but the worst thing is that these islands are only 5% of the plastic that reaches the sea. 95% we do not see it and it remains on the seabed”, said the expert.
Sustainable measures such as those implemented by Cantabria Labs are measures of solidarity and good citizenship. It is clear that your commitment to the environment is undeniable. An example of this good practice is that you are avoiding unnecessary and plastic packaging, the only purpose of which is to beautify the product.
The new packaging of Cantabria Labs products is in PEFC compliant cardboard [NB: FSC certification is also used in Italy], it was extracted from trees from sustainable plantations and inside we find only the product, there are no additions. These measures are the key, we must all do our part, including businesses,” explained José Luis Gallego.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON OUR BODIES AND ON THE PLANET?
“One of the best ways to move forward is to protect yourself by taking care of nature. Pollution kills and this blunt statement is backed by medicine, backed by doctors and science, it has been called the invisible killer.”
“According to the WHO, 7 million people die every year on our planet due to their exposure to air pollutants, the particles of which reach our cells. This exposure is directly related to skin problems, cancer, circulatory problems, heart problems etc. In addition, every year the number of children with childhood asthma caused by air pollution increases.
Of these 7 million deaths, 800,000 occur in the European Union. Are these pollutants nitrogen dioxide and PM10 or PM2.5 suspended microparticles and where do they come from? Up to 80% is generated by the combustion of vehicles, especially diesel and boilers used in homes for heating. We must do everything we can to make people aware”. Gallego explained.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
“My aim is not to alarm, but to generate reactions so that everyone in their environment can see how they can act. Small changes are important and that is why, in addition to what large companies are doing that are reviewing their processes, citizens must also work together.
Good greenhouse practices include the use of public transport, recycling, separating packaging, saving water and responsible use of energy and heating. In Spain recycling works, it could work better, but it works, and I know it because I visit the recycling plants. But it’s useless to have a fleet of recycling plants if we don’t recycle at home. Recycling to save the planet and save ourselves is one of the best actions we can do to put our grain of sand.
I must say that I am very restless about a residue that appeared a year ago in our parks, forests, seas. I mean the masks with which we protect ourselves from Covid-19. We must manage them responsibly to protect the environment. Why are masks thrown on the floor? It is an uncivilized act and I see it more and more. This protection system, with these bad practices, is becoming a threat. We must throw the masks in the appropriate container and not abandon them in the environment.”
Cantabria Labs
At Cantabria Labs we work with passion and enthusiasm to improve people’s health, and this would not be possible without taking care of our planet. We are committed to good practices and environmental actions that promote conservation and respect for nature.
