Tosin Afeniforo

The extensive manufacturing and use of plastics have led to their infiltration into the environment. Yet, the connection between microplastic pollution and climate change is largely unexplored. The entire plastic lifecycle, including production, transportation, waste and degradation contributes to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Extreme weather events caused by climate change can increase the distribution of plastic litter that reaches the marine environment.

Though inevitable, President Donald Trump, on assumption of office as the 47th president of the United States, has instituted a comprehensive crackdown on illegal immigration and has broadly suspended U.S. foreign aid. Although these actions have different immediate targets, they send a powerful message to African leaders that reliance on foreign aid is increasingly unstable and fragile, and there is no better time than now to work towards self-sufficiency.