Reduce your plastic usage and save our oceans
PARKVIEW – Locals exchanged their household plastic packaging for a Consol water bottle at Zoo Lake on World Oceans Day.
Community members ventured to Zoo Lake on World Oceans Day (8 June) to take part in National Geographic’s Picnic for the Planet.
“The planet is not in good shape and today is about taking steps to save it,” said General manager at Fox Networks Group Africa Evert van der Veer.
He said that 40 per cent of all plastic is used only once and encouraged the public to make small behavioural changes to impact the lives of future generations.
“People must refuse to accept plastic packets or plastics straws and refuse to buy vegetables in plastic packets. Why should we buy cucumbers in plastic?” said van der Veer.
“We didn’t inherit this world from our parents but, rather, borrow it from our children. We must help make this world clean again, one step at a time.”
Community members were encouraged to bring household plastic packaging to the event in exchange for a free Consol water bottle. The public also browsed stalls at the sustainable goods market and learned about ways to take action to save the planet.
“If every person does one small thing, it will make a huge difference for our planet.”
“I love diving and snorkeling, but I am concerned that if we continue at this rate, there will be no reefs for my kids to enjoy.”
Head of creative services at National Geographic Samira Gerin-Singh said, “Nine million tons of plastic waste ends up in the oceans each year. If we carry on at this rate, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.”
Sign the #PlanetOrPlastic pledge on www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/plasticpledge/ to play your part.
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