News
Over 5,000 people give up single-use plastic in support of the environment in June
The Ross-on-Wye based Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the UK’s leading marine charity, says its 2017 Plastic Challenge has been the most successful yet and shows there’s a growing understanding of the effect plastic pollution is having on our oceans.
The charity has run a Plastic Challenge for the last three years – challenging the public to give up single use plastic for the month of June. Last year just over 1,000 people took part, but this year 5,035 registered to give up using single use plastic which includes food packaged in plastic, plastic water bottles, plastic milk bottles, shower gels, toothpaste and pasta to name but a very few!
“This is a really tough challenge,” says MCS waste expert, Dr Sue Kinsey. “It’s not until you come to do it that you realise just how reliant we are on plastic that gets used once and is then thrown away. The support we’ve had this year has been amazing and we know, from the comments we’ve received on social media, that this is the start of a lifestyle change for many.”
In 2016 The Ellen MacArthur Foundation reported that every year about 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans – that’s roughly one rubbish truck being tipped into the oceans every minute. The Foundation also stated that by 2025 there would be one tonne of plastic for every three tonnes of fish and by 2050 the ocean will contain more plastic by weight than fish.
Scientists at Ghent University in Belgium recently calculated people who eat seafood ingest up to 11,000 tiny pieces of plastic every year.
The Plastic Challenge was supported by adventurer, TV presenter and author, Simon Reeve who congratulated everyone who took part whether it was for the whole month of just part of it: “Over 5,000 thousand people went head to head with single-use plastic! Social media was buzzing with people shocked at how ridiculously dependent we’ve become on the stuff. If you’ve started using less single-use plastics please keep going – let’s build this movement to make our seas cleaner and safer.”
The Plastic Challenge community has shared all sorts of tips during the month via the MCS website and social media feeds. From getting toilet rolls wrapped in paper delivered, baking their own bread, ditching plastic drinking straws and clingfilm, going back to using bicarb for cleaning and choosing glass milk bottle deliveries.
MCS hope that the 2018 Plastic Challenge will get nearer 10,000 people taking part as more and more members of the public understand the terrible price the oceans are paying for our plastic society.
Challengers can sign up for the 2018 Plastic Challenge at www.mcsuk.org/plasticchallenge
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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