Everyone here at Strandliners sends best wishes and good health to all at these strange and uncertain times.
We hope everyone is coping well with this “new normal”, it may be difficult at times individually but there may be some positive news emerging about increased community interconnectedness, and a desire for a different lifestyle to the pre-Covid-19 culture of big money, pollution, fast lives etc.
There have been no Strandliners events since mid March and there won’t be until the government states gatherings can begin to happen. As soon as this is the case we will continue with our surveying and recording events, although it may take on a different format and we will of course stay within
government guidelines.
We also hope the social newsletter was of interest, there will be another mid-May. Anyone out there who would like to share their beach stories, their finds, pollution issues, outings (if you’ve been able to do so) or has something they’d like to have identified, please do email. As always we’d love to hear from you.
The Story of Plastic
But the big news for May is that Strandliners will be hosting a virtual screening of what has been described as a ground breaking film – one that could bring about real change.
“The Story of Plastic” was premiered at film festivals last year and is now being shown as community virtual screenings. We have booked this for Thursday 7th May and there are 100 tickets available – for free. The tickets will enable anyone who registers to watch the film on the day and then join in to a Q & A session with Strandliners to discuss what it means to all of us. Please watch the trailers for a taster. It may be an American film but “The Story of Plastic” connects America, Asia and Europe and is relevant globally.
“The Story of Plastic”
Free virtual screening
Thursday 7th May
Followed by a video Q & A on the themes in this film
Tickets limited, please book through Eventbrite
About the film
“THE STORY OF PLASTIC takes a sweeping look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it.
Spanning three continents, the film illustrates the ongoing catastrophe: fields full of garbage, veritable mountains of trash, rivers and seas clogged with waste, and skies choked with the poisonous emissions from plastic production and processing.”
“THE STORY OF PLASTIC features interviews with experts and activists on the front lines of the fight, revealing the disastrous consequences of the flood of plastic smothering ecosystems and poisoning communities around the world, and the global movement that is rising up in response.
With engaging original animation, archival industry footage beginning in the 1930s, and first-person accounts of the unfolding emergency, the film distills a complex problem that is increasingly affecting the planet’s and its residents’ well-being.”
You can watch the trailers here.
Professor Richard Thompson OBE, one of the world’s foremost experts on plastic pollution, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. Professor Thompson published the first paper describing the decadal accumulation of microscopic fragments of plastic in the environment in 2004, naming these particles microplastics.
Plastic pollution and the COVID-19 situation
Preston photographer speaks out as she documents gloves and masks thrown on her street.
Would anyone like to contribute to a Strandliners newsletter?
Articles on your own thoughts about marine debris, plastic waste, clean ups and surveys are welcome
– just email Strandliners and let me know.
Do you have any beach found items needing to be identified?