Forum Topic

Why bother?

"A father of three who has led volunteer beach cleans for the last four years in west Wales is quitting because of the insurmountable plastic problem around Britain’s coastlines.When Alan Cookson, 46, started cleaning Aberystwyth’s beaches he says there were 5.5tn pieces of plastic in the sea. Now there are at least 51tn.“It’s like you’re trying to mop up a flood but the tap’s still running.” Cookson feels like he’s spent the last four years on the losing team: “If it was a football match you would have changed tactics by now.”"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/29/throwing-in-the-towel-over-beach-plastic-pollution

David Ainsworth ● 2631d4 Comments

The man's a hero and deserves more moral and political support.  The pursuit of power and the lack of political leadership is poisoning the planet and killing us all.

Philippa Bond ● 2630d

I was on a beach in India recently, which was thick with plastic bottles, nylon fishing nets and assorted detritus. It was a lovely beach, fringed with coconut plantations but environmentally ruined.A team of young locals were paid by the state to clean it, but chose to play football instead.  When I asked them why they explained it was pointless, as they were on the losing side....

John Cameron ● 2630d

Yes, these people need support - both in the clean up in order to keep going and not feel so helpless and in setting up infrastructure.

Philippa Bond ● 2630d

Here's Professor Richard Thompson of Plymouth University explaining about the research he's done.  He has worked with the Marine Conservation Society.https://resource.co/article/sea-change-thinking-plastic-wasteThere are also lots of other articles on the constructive change to using the various wastes from our modern lifestyles as resources.

Philippa Bond ● 2630d