https://climatejournal.news/ en https://climatejournal.news/news/making-a-world-without-plastic-pollution-a-reality <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Making a world without plastic pollution a reality</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/making-a-world-without-plastic-pollution-a-reality" data-a2a-title="Making a world without plastic pollution a reality"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/plastic-pollution" hreflang="en">Plastic Pollution</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/climate-action" hreflang="en">Climate Action</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/plastic-pollution" hreflang="en">Plastic pollution</a></div> </div> </div> <img alt="Making a world without plastic pollution a reality" title="Making a world without plastic pollution a reality" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/1601.png?itok=QGoW3_K5" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Changemaker insight with Erin Simon, Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business, World Wildlife Fund</div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4955 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4958 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Whether we consider biodiversity loss, polluting fossil fuels, or climate disasters, the picture is clear: we must change systems at scale.</p> <p>Although change doesn`t happen overnight, and if you recall any recent personal endeavours to change something in your life, from shifting to a healthier diet to squeezing in more exercise, you will agree that change is difficult.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4961 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--66-33"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4959 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>One of the most pressing global challenges we face is plastic pollution, given that every year a staggering <a href="https://www.unep.org/plastic-pollution" target="_blank">19-23 million</a> tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers and seas, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).</p> <p>As Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business at the <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/" target="_blank">World Wildlife Fund </a>(WWF), Erin Simon drives positive change across industries in packaging and material sustainability while leading one of WWF`s flagship campaigns, “<a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/no-plastic-in-nature?s_subsrc=homepage" target="_blank">No Plastic in Nature</a>”.</p> <p>“Mount Everest. The streets in your neighbourhood. Tropical beaches on remote islands. Your local park. The Mariana Trench. What do all of these places have in common? You can almost guarantee that you will find plastic waste in every one of them”, says Erin about the scale of the plastic challenge.</p> <p>For a global issue like plastic pollution, Erin stresses the importance of collective action.</p> <p>She believes that to combat this crisis, we need as many people as possible to support and contribute to the solution, but for that to happen, we need to overcome our differences.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4960 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/1604.jpg" width="480" height="720" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Erin Simon, Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-4963"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4962 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>“Divisiveness continues to paralyse us as a global community across many complex issues. We get caught up in one way or another and lose the ability to create shared solutions. With plastic pollution, there are ways to find common ground and benefits for communities, the planet, and the private sector – we just need to come together to find them.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4964 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>She further explains that collaboration is not just about working together more broadly as “we can't just inspire everyone to go off and act on their own”.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4982 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--42-58"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4980 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>However, plastic is not only an environmental issue since it disrupts livelihoods and has been linked with various <a href="https://www.ciel.org/plasticandhealth/" target="_blank">human health implications</a>, negatively impacting lives worldwide.</p> <p>While we still don’t know how much plastic ingestion is safe for humans, there is growing agreement among a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36969097/" target="_blank">broad group of scientists </a>that plastics are responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the earth's environment.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4981 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/1611.jpg" width="516" height="264" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Plastic pollution pose a threat to human health according to variouos research. Image: Canva</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4966 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Erin feels strongly about the power of collaboration and delivering justice as she explains that “our oceans don't adhere to country borders, and neither can our solutions - success for a few will not equal success for the planet”.</p> <p>The plastic pollution crisis is quickly reaching a tipping point, even though, in March 2022, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) agreed to establish a legally binding international agreement to address the issue.</p> <blockquote> <p>“Despite voluntary initiatives and national regulations, marine plastic pollution has increased by 50% in the last five years and is projected to triple by 2040”,</p> </blockquote> <p>Erin explains.</p> <p>Crafting a treaty that will make a real difference requires strong and specific agreements that will hold countries accountable for building better systems for waste management and recycling while finding alternatives to plastic to avoid exhausting natural resources is at the top of WWF`s agenda.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--4967 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution will gather in late November to have the final negotiations, which, as WWF describes, is the “last critical moment to prevent irreversible economic, health, and environmental damage from plastic pollution”.</p> <p>On the promising side, some countries already recognise the importance of addressing the plastic crisis. For instance, Colombia, Jamaica and Panamá announced joining forces in 2023 through a shared initiative to reduce plastic pollution from coastal and urban environments by allocating $ 42 million to support a holistic approach to improve city-level circularity.</p> <p>Looking into the future, Erin shares her vision:</p> <blockquote> <p>“We need to design solutions for the future we want, not the reality we are in. I am not saying we don’t need to be grounded, but we need to think outside of today’s barriers if we want actual change.”</p> </blockquote> <p>One example she highlights where collaboration sparked real change is the <a href="https://www.businessforplasticstreaty.org/" target="_blank">Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty</a>, jointly convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF, where she managed to bring major companies such as Walmart, Target, The Coca-Cola Company, and Procter &amp; Gamble to the treaty negotiating table.</p> <p>She notes that many of these businesses are not only in favour of a treaty like this but have become vocal champions for it, helping grow industry buy-in, adding that “plastic producers are a large part of the problem but also a vital part of the solution”.</p> <p>An area where Erin sees a massive mindset shift is necessary is looking at the economics of plastics differently.</p> <blockquote> <p>“We often measure progress in dollars and cents – which is how our world works, but it also prioritises that and colours our ability to get creative. The question of “who is going to pay for it?” plagues problem solvers and deprioritises communities and ecosystem services that often bear the brunt.”</p> </blockquote> <p>In her opinion, to turn the tide and make a world without plastic pollution possible, a global treaty that provides rules for all countries to abide by and enables solutions like policies and funding that smooth the way for implementation would be essential.</p> <p>The role of advocacy cannot be overstated despite the fact that the plastic crisis is one of the most well-recognised global issues, and <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/no-plastic-in-nature?s_subsrc=homepage" target="_blank">85% of Americans</a> somewhat or strongly agreed in a recent WWF poll that plastic waste pollution is a serious and concerning problem that requires immediate political action to solve.</p> <p>As part of her work to raise awareness, Erin Simon takes the stage alongside other changemakers to share insights about their changemaker journey at the <a href="https://usa.greentechfestival.com/" target="_blank">Greentech Festival conference in Los Angeles</a> on November 14-15.</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">November 2024</div> <div class="field field--name-field-collaborative-content-with field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Collaborative content with</div> <div class="field--item"> <a href="/partner/greentech-festival">Greentech Festival</a> </div> </div> Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:55:40 +0000 Szilvia Szabó 355 at https://climatejournal.news https://climatejournal.news/node/185 <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">The Moving Water Alliance</div> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <a href="/node/185" hreflang="en"><img alt="" title="" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/partner_full_page_logo/public/bsp-images/partner-logo/820.png?itok=oMRV9QLG" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </a> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-partner-location field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Location</div> <div class="field--item">Austria</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-website field--type-link field--label-hidden field--item"><a href="https://theplanetcalls.com/movingwateralliance/" target="_blank">https://theplanetcalls.com/movingwateralliance/</a></div> <div class="field field--name-field-reach field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Reach</div> <div>Global</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Planet Calls non-profit organisation launched the Moving Water Alliance in August 2021 to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects worldwide.</p> <p>This new movement offers access to funding, educational collateral and support to help organisers develop and grow their teams to address water pollution issues locally.</p> <p>The idea of creating this Alliance sparked from witnessing the amount of waste that has been skyrocketing since the Covid-19 pandemic started. Single-use plastic, like sanitiser bottles, aprons, masks, and gloves, is now making its way to not just landfills but natural habitats like oceans.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-active-projects field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Related news</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"> <article role="article" about="/news/movement-to-unite-and-support-beach-and-river-clean-up-projects-all-over-the-world" class="news teaser clearfix thumbnail"> <a href="/news/movement-to-unite-and-support-beach-and-river-clean-up-projects-all-over-the-world" hreflang="en"><img alt="" title="" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/event_news_teaser_header_xs/public/bsp-images/news/808.jpg?itok=ONLbZiEh" width="720" height="482" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </a> <div class="content"> <h3><a href="/news/movement-to-unite-and-support-beach-and-river-clean-up-projects-all-over-the-world" hreflang="en">Movement to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects all over the world</a></h3> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">The Moving Water Alliance was launched to offer funding, educational materials and various supports to help non-profit projects addressing water pollution issues.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-category field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" hreflang="en">Inspire</a></div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">August 2021</div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Focus</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/plastic-pollution" hreflang="en">Plastic pollution</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/water" hreflang="en">Water</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/beach-clean-up" hreflang="en">Beach clean-up</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-platform-partner-categorie field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Platform :: Partner categories</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/828" hreflang="en">Funding | Supports</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/829" hreflang="en">Networking | Events | Community</a></div> </div> </div> Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:50:10 +0000 Szilvia Szabó 185 at https://climatejournal.news https://climatejournal.news/node/184 <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">The ​Institute for Art and Innovation</div> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <a href="/node/184" hreflang="en"><img alt="" title="" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/partner_full_page_logo/public/bsp-images/partner-logo/819.png?itok=SI2xlx8-" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </a> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-partner-location field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Location</div> <div class="field--item">Germany</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-website field--type-link field--label-hidden field--item"><a href="https://art-innovation.org/" target="_blank">https://art-innovation.org/</a></div> <div class="field field--name-field-reach field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Reach</div> <div>Europe</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The ​Institute for Art and Innovation is specialized in the facilitation of purpose driven interventions at the intersection of art, science and technology to catalyze positive transformation.</p> <p>Its interdisciplinary projects connect and empower people and organizations by providing intelligent, innovative strategies, enriching ideation and research, transferring knowledge, developing sustainable visions and fostering tangible results.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-active-projects field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Related news</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"> <article role="article" about="/news/social-art-award-to-catalyse-change-towards-a-greener-future" class="news teaser clearfix thumbnail"> <a href="/news/social-art-award-to-catalyse-change-towards-a-greener-future" hreflang="en"><img alt="" title="" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/event_news_teaser_header_xs/public/bsp-images/news/595.jpeg?itok=O9-HnYZH" width="720" height="482" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </a> <div class="content"> <h3><a href="/news/social-art-award-to-catalyse-change-towards-a-greener-future" hreflang="en">Social Art Award to catalyse change towards a greener future</a></h3> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Artists are invited to submit artworks in the theme of &#039;New Greening&#039; for Social Art Award 2021.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-category field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4" hreflang="en">Inspire</a></div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">March 2021</div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Focus</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/social-art" hreflang="en">Social Art</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/art" hreflang="en">Art</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/innovation" hreflang="en">Innovation</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/sustainable-development-goals" hreflang="en">Sustainable Development Goals</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/plastic-pollution" hreflang="en">Plastic pollution</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-platform-partner-categorie field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Platform :: Partner categories</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/829" hreflang="en">Networking | Events | Community</a></div> </div> </div> Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:37:02 +0000 Szilvia Szabó 184 at https://climatejournal.news https://climatejournal.news/news/movement-to-unite-and-support-beach-and-river-clean-up-projects-all-over-the-world <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Movement to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects all over the world</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/movement-to-unite-and-support-beach-and-river-clean-up-projects-all-over-the-world" data-a2a-title="Movement to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects all over the world"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/plastic-pollution" hreflang="en">Plastic Pollution</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/beach-clean-up" hreflang="en">Beach clean-up</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/non-profit" hreflang="en">Non-profit</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/ocean" hreflang="en">Ocean</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/water" hreflang="en">Water</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/plastic-pollution" hreflang="en">Plastic pollution</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/water-pollution" hreflang="en">Water pollution</a></div> </div> </div> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Collaboration" title="Collaboration" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/53.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Sustainability" title="Sustainability" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/52.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img alt="Movement to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects all over the world" title="Movement to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects all over the world" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/808.jpg?itok=kXHsxRgS" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">The Moving Water Alliance was launched to offer funding, educational materials and various supports to help non-profit projects addressing water pollution issues.</div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2554 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2555 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p><a href="https://theplanetcalls.com/#" target="_blank">The Planet Calls</a> non-profit organisation launched the <a href="https://theplanetcalls.com/movingwateralliance/" target="_blank">Moving Water Alliance</a> in August 2021 to unite and support beach and river clean-up projects worldwide.</p> <p>This new movement offers access to funding, educational collateral and support to help organisers develop and grow their teams to address water pollution issues locally.</p> <p>The idea of creating this Alliance sparked from witnessing the amount of waste that has been skyrocketing since the Covid-19 pandemic started.</p> <p>Single-use plastic, like sanitiser bottles, aprons, masks, and gloves, is now making its way to not just landfills but natural habitats like oceans.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2558 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--58-42"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2557 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/809.jpg" width="579" height="354" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Tarryn Johnston, Chairperson, Moving Water Alliance</div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2556 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The increasing amount of pollution is putting more strain on already exhausted marine life and other ecosystems.</p> <p>“I decided to become a Chairperson for Moving Water Alliance because I have an already well-established river clean-up non-profit-organisation based in Gauteng, South Africa.</p> <p>I have created a model that anyone can replicate with enough drive, passion, and commitment to saving our rivers and oceans.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2559 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>We want to assist more people and non-profits in doing the same all over the world,” says Tarryn Johnston about how she started this movement.</p> <p>Johnston is no newcomer to river pollution clean-ups since she formed a non-profit in 2019 called <a href="https://hennopsrevival.co.za/" target="_blank">Hennops Revival</a> in South Africa.</p> <p>Since its inception, she has removed almost 1.3 million kilograms of pollution from the Hennops River in Gauteng province together with her team of volunteers.</p> <p>Thanks to the generosity of local businesses who sponsor some clean-ups, she could offer employment to the homeless and people in need from the local communities.</p> <p>Her tried-and-tested business model will now be shared with members of Moving Water Alliance to help them solve a massive environmental problem while uplifting communities through the employment that these projects can provide.</p> <p>Membership is free, and members can expect to receive various supports in growing their beach and river clean up teams.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-2561"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2560 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Organisers of the <a href="https://theplanetcalls.com/movingwateralliance/" target="_blank">Moving Water Alliance</a> envision this initiative to become a home for existing river or beach clean-up projects and a welcoming space for those who would like to start such movements.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2562 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Members will be able to reach out when they need advice, encouragement or just a conversation with someone on the same page and find guides and friends with one common goal: saving our planets precious water bodies and marine and aquatic life.</p> <p>The Moving Water Alliance encourages grassroots organisations and projects from this field to share their project, so the Alliance can amplify their reach and support them in their journey to make a positive impact!</p> <p>Johnston adds:</p> <blockquote> <p>“We are looking to guide and assist people who are in it for the long haul, as we understand that it didn't get this way overnight and neither will it be fixed overnight.”</p> </blockquote> <p>The Planet Calls launched this initiative, hoping that having a global movement will certainly come with a weight and help create awareness of the rising number of people willing to stand up and do the work.</p> <p>“At the moment, we are working on member welcome packs, which will include "how-to" guides and informative, encouraging material as well as the launch of our digital magazine scheduled for October,” says Tarryn Johnston about the next steps.</p> <p>The Planet Calls is a non-profit foundation focused on sustainability and circular economy advocacy, educating people about how to treat the Earth with respect and care to accelerate change.</p> <p> </p> <p class="text-align-right"><span style="font-size:9px">Headline image: by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/MmRe38lEFJg" target="_blank">Brian Yurasits on Unsplash</a></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">August 2021</div> Fri, 13 Aug 2021 15:49:34 +0000 Business Spirit News reporting 178 at https://climatejournal.news https://climatejournal.news/news/activist-irish-business-challenges-polluting-toy-industry-practices <div class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item"><span>Activist Irish business challenges polluting toy industry practices</span> </div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://climatejournal.news/news/activist-irish-business-challenges-polluting-toy-industry-practices" data-a2a-title="Activist Irish business challenges polluting toy industry practices"><a class="a2a_button_linkedin"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/linkedin_hover.svg" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/facebook_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Facebook" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/twitter_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Twitter" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/email_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Email" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"></a><a class="a2a_dd" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share_hover.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-hover"><img src="/libraries/bsp_social_media_icons_share/service/share.svg" border="0" alt="Share" height="18" class="social-media-links-normal"> Share </a></span> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Tags</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/business" hreflang="en">Business</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/business-practice" hreflang="en">Business practice</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/plastic-pollution" hreflang="en">Plastic Pollution</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/tag/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topic</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/sustainable-business" hreflang="en">Sustainable business</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/plastic-pollution" hreflang="en">Plastic pollution</a></div> </div> </div> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Business" title="Business" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/55.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img width="32" height="32" alt="Sustainability" title="Sustainability" class="img-responsive" src="/files/bsp-images/icons/52.svg" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <img alt="Activist Irish business challenges polluting toy industry practices" title="Activist Irish business challenges polluting toy industry practices" class="img-responsive" src="/files/styles/news_full_main_image/public/bsp-images/news/632.jpeg?itok=BFEVm-A3" width="687" height="687" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <div class="field field--name-field-lead field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Fighting plastic pollution and the negative environmental impact of the toy industry is helping a small Irish company succeed.</div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2068 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2069 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>Sharon Keilthy found shopping for her daughter frustrating because most toys were made of and wrapped in plastic.</p> <p>After discovering that there are minimal options out there to find eco-friendly alternatives, she decided to start her own company that focuses on retailing and distributing the earth-kindest toys across Ireland &amp; the UK.</p> <p>Sharon’s vision is to build an activist business, which challenges polluting toy industry practices while educates retailers and parents about the environmental impact of toys.</p> <p class="font-xs-text-center"><em>Interview with Irish entrepreneur, Sharon Keilthy, founder of <a href="https://jiminy.ie/" target="_blank">Jiminy Eco Toys</a></em></p> <hr /><p>"Ever since having my daughter, I become more conscious of our environment, and as a parent, I was incredibly sick of the plastic-wrapped in plastic.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2072 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--66-33"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2071 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>I went into toy stores one after the other, hoping to find something locally-made and plastic-free, and came out with a heavy heart and empty hands.</p> <p>I just couldn't buy it anymore.</p> <blockquote> <p>How can we expect people to choose a sustainable toy if they can't find one?</p> </blockquote> <p>I decided to do my bit by making eco toys more available by retailing and wholesaling them across the UK and Ireland.</p> <p>So, I created <a href="https://jiminy.ie/" target="_blank">Jiminy Eco Toys</a> in 2018, naming my business after Pinocchio’s conscience, Jiminy Cricket.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2070 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/633.jpeg" width="1414" height="1414" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Sharon Keilthy , founder of Jiminy Eco Toys</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2073 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="font-greentitle">Facing reality</p> <p>When I went to my first toy trade fair in Spring 2019 - Toy Fair in London - it was a sea of ‘made-in-China plastic.</p> <p>With a big smile on my face, I asked each of the 220 exhibitors what they had that was plastic-free. 200 of them thought and said, "Nothing," with a chuckle and a shrug15 had hand-made wooden toys shipped 22,000km from Sri Lanka, Thailand.</p> <p>Only 5 had anything at all that was made in Europe and plastic-free.</p> <p>The daily newspaper covering the toy trade show had headlines like, "Plastic fantastic", and there was no narrative at all about sustainability.</p> <p>I was really shocked.</p> <p>A year later, when we exhibited there, we were the only eco-specialist exhibitor.</p> <p>I went around asking my question again, but most exhibitors were still not thinking about sustainability at all.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2074 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="font-greentitle">Playing with plastic</p> <p>Sustainability is far from being implemented in this industry since 90% of the toys are made from plastic and about 80% of them are made in China, creating a massive carbon footprint besides emissions from production.</p> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-callout paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--width--full callout-style--b" id="callout-2076"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="callout-body"> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2075 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The toy industry is huge and won’t change overnight.</p> <p>Still, we need to shine a light on practices that are not sustainable and threaten our future.</p> <blockquote> <p>After all, you are buying toys for the next generation while jeopardising their future by doing so, which is not what people who love their kids would do intentionally.</p> </blockquote> <p>We need more education, awareness and action to make this shift happen.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2077 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>The global toy industry's top 4 producers and top 4 polluters are Hasbro, Mattel, LEGO, and MGA (who make Bratz and LOL).</p> <p>LEGO is the only one with an announced vision to switch to plant-based plastic instead of petroleum-based. They're talking about 2030, and as of now, only 2% of their bricks have transitioned.</p> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2080 paragraph--width--full paragraph--style--66-33"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column1"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2078 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p>I wish their plan were faster, but at least they have one.</p> <p>The others have some vague lines about offsetting, claiming that "we'll switch to biodegradable wrappers", removing some plastic from packaging, a few token recycled plastic products - but I couldn’t find their vision for their own sustainable future.</p> <p>My sense is that the toy industry has been late to wake up.</p> <p>Although most people still want cheap plastic, there is a growing percentage of people who want to choose more sustainable options.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="paragraph--type--bp-columns-two-uneven__2col-column2"> <div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-image paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2079 paragraph--width--full"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-bp-image-field field--type-image field--label-hidden field--item"> <img alt="" title="" src="/files/bsp-images/paragraph/634.jpg" width="840" height="560" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-image-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">Producing and delivering plastic toys creates massive carbon footprint; Image: Pexels</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="classy-style--margin-bottom paragraph paragraph--type--bp-simple paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2081 paragraph--width--full" style=""> <div class="paragraph__column"> <p class="font-greentitle">Running an activist business</p> <p>I think an activist business is a great way to use your skills to change the world for the better.</p> <p>Although it has its challenges, like every other business, as an entrepreneur, I find that managing time is one the most complicated part of keeping a business running that relies on me.</p> <p>After successfully kicking off, I realised that I need to bring people on board who could help me grow my business and our impact.</p> <p>Currently, I’m looking for board members who have the wisdom and will to turn the tide on plastic in the toy industry while making it work as an enterprise.</p> <p>I run an activist business to offer better alternatives and encourage parents and suppliers to choose sustainably and become more conscious about the consequences of their choices.</p> <blockquote> <p>My vision is not to build an empire but to solve a problem with a business solution.</p> </blockquote> <p>On the other hand, the reward is when you have moments to experience the willingness to take the extra effort to change.</p> <p>The other week we received a handwritten envelope and note in the post. Inside was a clipping from a newspaper of an article about our plantable experience gift cards.</p> <p>The message said "4 cards please" with an address and a €20 note to cover the cost.</p> <p>It was a lovely flashback to simpler times, and we very joyfully fulfilled that order."</p> <p> </p> <p class="text-align-right"><span style="font-size:10px">Headline image: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/" target="_blank">Pexels</a></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-background-style field--type-list-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Background style</div> <div class="field--item">Light</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sponsored field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Sponsored?</div> <div class="field--item">No</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden field--item">May 2021</div> Fri, 28 May 2021 11:29:20 +0000 Anonymous 151 at https://climatejournal.news