In a single year, 11 million metric tons of new plastic enters our ocean with estimates of that number potentially tripling by 2040. Of those numbers 5 million metric tons are plastic films and another 0.7 million metric tons are microplastics, staggering numbers that speak to the urgency that we must take action to mitigate this issue, especially in urban centers in coastal communities.
Building a pathway of leadership and professional opportunities for young ocean conservation leaders is key to eliminating marine debris in order to restore the ocean to health and abundance. EarthEcho has partnered with SC Johnson to build a network of youth to become Marine Plastics Ambassadors—a force for ocean restoration. Twenty-five young leaders (ages 16-22 in the Great Lakes region) will engage with the powerful multimedia experience of Blue Paradox and mobilize that inspiration to build and execute plastics pollution mitigation campaigns or projects to address the issue authentically in their local communities.
If you have any questions, please contact EarthEcho’s Marine Plastics Program Manager, Sam Athey at sam@earthecho.org. Thank you for your support!
Interested in taking action to end plastic pollution? Check out our marine plastics campaigns and get involved today!
Young people are heavily affected by plastic pollution, and we can contribute to the success of a Global Plastics Treaty. I would highly encourage everyone to get involved in any way you can, and make sure your voice is heard, because it matters.
The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. Every day we delay action, more plastic accumulates in our environment. The Global Plastics Treaty is not just an agreement – it's a commitment to preserving the health of our planet for generations to come. Let's seize this moment and create meaningful, lasting change.
Traveling across the country, from New York City to Seattle, to meet young ocean advocates from all over the world was something that I couldn’t even have dreamed of before I joined EarthEcho. In March 2024, I was selected to be a Marine Plastics Ambassador which allowed me to plan and implement a plastic reduction project in the Great Lakes.
Experts have made it clear that urgent action is needed to curb our consumption of plastics. Find everything you need to know about the Global Plastics treaty, the #Youth4PlasticJustice movement, and how you can get involved!
Learn about plastic pellets, their impact on the environment, and what we can do to beat plastic pellet pollution.
We’re proud to work with this outstanding group of young advocates and community leaders working to end plastic pollution in their communities.
