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The TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch forum, designed to elevate plastic pollution to the forefront of global social, environmental and political discourse, concluded Monday with four specific challenges to businesses, policy makers and individuals to refuse disposable plastics.
The forum was attended by leaders in ocean conservation, health and environmental issues, including Sylvia Earle, Van Jones, Jeanne Rizzo and Fabien Cousteau, and notable supporters including Norman Lear and Ed Begley Jr.
“The window of opportunity is now,” said Daniella Russo, executive director of the Plastic Pollution Coalition. “We need to make these changes together. We promise to work with individuals, businesses, and government policymakers to ensure we stop the devastating, toxic plastic pollution of our oceans, our environment and our bodies.”
The challenges were issued to the 150 leaders, artists, activists and scientists that gathered together for the event, and were aimed at individuals and businesses; the manufacturers of virgin resin product, plastic packaging and plastic products; policymakers and political leaders around the globe, and plastic manufacturers from the Ocean Nations, respectively.
Are you up to the challenge?
Challenge #1: REFUSE disposable plastics.
Challenge #2: Take responsibility for your products, develop alternatives, and voluntarily cap non-biodegradable virgin resin product.
Challenge #3: Develop policies that curb the irresponsible use of plastic.
Challenge #4: Come together and form a union against the onslaught of plastic to your environment, economic well-being and public health.
The four challenges will become the core goals of the Plastic Pollution Coalition’s 2011 international campaign to end plastic pollution. Several prominent actors and musicians have begun improvising their own creative REFUSE disposable plastic videos and posted them on Plastic Pollution Coalition’s website and YouTube channel in support of the campaign.
More on Plastic Pollution
Plastic Plastic Everywhere: The 5 Gyres Project
Mexico City Bans Bags: 6 Ways to Join In
What To Do With Bathroom Plastics
Take Action: Prevent Plastic Pollution
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