With millions of pounds of plastic ending up in our oceans every year, I wanted to draw attention to the problem and give people some tips on how they can reduce their personal waste.
I recently spent some time in Laguna Beach with a handful of experts that are channeling their creative and innovative brain power to combat the issue of plastic pollution. From professional surfer Rob Machado to the people behind Igloo’s first biodegradable cooler, Alison Teal and the Girl Scout who got Alaska Airlines to give up plastic straws, I learned more about the issue and what we as consumers can start to do to reduce the pollution.
For me, the purpose of Earth Day is to remind people of the importance of respecting the natural environment, and doing what we can do to lessen our impact on the planet. While I try and practice this every day in small ways—no to-go cups for me and carrying a reusable straw wherever I go—I figured that Earth Day was a good time to remind people (and myself) to think before you consume. Also, do what you can do reduce the amount of pollution that’s ending up in our oceans.
While listening, take the National Geographic’s Planet or Plastic? pledge to reduce the single-use plastic in your everyday life at natgeo.com/plasticpledge.
Listen to this episode if:
- You care about the ocean.
- You want to learn more about plastic pollution.
- You want to do more to protect our oceans and natural places.
- You want to hear me attempt to make the sound of a whale.
- You want to hear from Alison Teal of Alison’s Adventures, Pro Surfer Rob Machado, Becky Mendoza of the Changing Tides Foundation and Shelby O’Neill of Junior Ocean Guardians.