News
Marine charity urges public to go plastic-free in June
Hundreds sign up to ditch single use items and highlight issue of plastic in our seas
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the UK’s leading marine charity, is challenging people to give up their convenience lifestyle and ditch pre-packed sandwiches, ready meals and plastic bottled drinks on the go for the whole of June.
Almost 600 members of the public have already signed up to take part in the MCS Plastic Challenge and the charity says it’s amazed at the lengths people will be going to to find products that don’t contain plastic of any kind. The charity says it highlights how reliant we have become on plastic which is reflected in the amount already known to be turning parts of our oceans into a ‘plastic soup’.
The Plastic Challenge began when MCS staff and volunteers were asked to try and give up single use plastic goods for Lent 2013 after volunteer Emily Smith from Lambeth challenged herself to pack up plastic for 40 days and 40 nights. The charity will offer help to 2015 Plastic Challengers via its website and social media feed which also has a tip swap area and the opportunity to get help when the going gets tough!
Since the charity began monitoring beach litter levels around the UK over 20 years ago, the amount of plastic bits and pieces has increased by 180%, causing an increasing threat to marine life. Plastic bags, bottles and tiny plastic pieces are regularly found in the stomachs of turtles and other sea creatures, and in some cases have caused their death from starvation or choking.
“We want to change people’s attitudes towards single use plastics, and to encourage people to value plastic as a resource – not just buying stuff without any thought of the environmental impact”, says MCS Senior Pollution Policy Officer, Dr. Sue Kinsey. “People taking on the Plastic Challenge are often shocked to find out just how much single use plastic is used every day. Have a go at the Plastic Challenge, even if you can only manage a single day, and you’ll never look at your shopping in the same way again!”
MCS says that because plastic plays such a large part in all of our lives, from brushing our teeth and showering, to cooking and buying plastic-packed products, even simply buying lunch is a minefield – boiled eggs in individual plastic containers, apple slices in plastic bags, pasties on a polystyrene tray wrapped in plastic, plus prepacked sandwiches and bottled drinks.
“Our clamour for convenience is a sin for our seas,” says Dr. Kinsey. “It’s durable and lightweight, but it’s these properties that allow it to remain in the marine environment for hundreds if not thousands of years. Plastics are among the most persistent synthetic materials in existence and are now a significant and extensive marine pollutant.”
You can take part in the 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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