Experts Applaud Ethiopia’s Anti-Plastic Drive, Urban Green Spaces for Protecting Community Health

Ethiopia’s expanding efforts to curb plastic pollution, limit exposure to toxic chemicals, and increase urban green spaces are earning praise from international health and environmental experts.

The experts told ENA that the measures could significantly reduce cancer risks among children and strengthen the country’s position as a leader in sustainable development in Africa.

Experts noted that environmental protection plays a critical role in disease prevention, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, and emphasized that Ethiopia’s proactive approach could yield long-term public health benefits.

Dr. Bronwyn McNamara, a primary healthcare practitioner from Australia, said Ethiopia’s environmental policies are already producing visible improvements.

“I can see a big difference, and I really acknowledge that the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)is addressing issues related to plastic and chemical contaminants,” she said.

Dr. McNamara stressed that prevention through environmental protection is essential to safeguarding public health. “It’s a very important area to prevent health issues in your population,” she noted.

She also commended Ethiopia’s investment in urban parks and green spaces, highlighting their wide-ranging health benefits.

“The green areas and making areas specifically for parks—I can congratulate that initiative,” she said.

According to McNamara, green spaces promote physical activity, social interaction, and improved air quality.

 “It helps get people exercising, interacting, and children playing in green areas,” she explained, adding that trees and plants help produce oxygen and remove environmental contaminants.

Prof. Sheila Weitzman of the University of Toronto echoed these views, emphasizing that environmental improvement is a long-term investment in public health, particularly for children.

“Improving the environment eventually has to make an impact—that’s the goal,” she said. “If we can prevent illness, that is much better than treating it.”

She underscored the importance of shifting from reactive medical interventions to proactive prevention strategies to protect future generations.

Firew Kefyalew, East Africa Director of Pure Earth and a prominent environmental advocate, drew a direct connection between plastic pollution and increased health risks among children, including cancer.

“Cleaning environments benefits us all—ourselves, our future, and our children,” he said.

Firew emphasized that reducing plastic pollution begins with individual responsibility. “You do not clean to please others; you clean it for yourself, for the future, and for children,” he stated.

Calling for collective action, he urged the public to refrain from using single-use plastic products and promoted plogging—picking up litter while jogging—as a simple and effective way to protect children’s health, reduce disease risks, and build a sustainable environmental legacy for Ethiopia.