Chirping
birds of all ages evolve because of strong belief systems or because of an
encounter with some person or thing that triggers a reaction which cannot be
ignored. Capt. Charles Moore Charles@algalita.org accidently encountered what became known as the Great
Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of plastic in the Pacific Ocean with which he
became obsessed and subsequently took his findings to the media. Daniella
Dimitrova Russo daniella@plasticpollutioncoalition.org felt so strongly about plastic in the ocean, she was
compelled to speak out despite the fact that the American Chemical Council
(ACC) and Coca Cola, two of the biggest polluters in the world, were helping to
sponsor the event at which she was speaking. Beth Terry saw the decomposed body
of an albatross chick whose plastic stomach contents spilled out on to the sand
after having starved to death and the two children of One More Generation,
Olivia (10½) and Carter (12) info@onemoregeneration.org were so upset at the probable extinction of beautiful
African animals that they persuaded their parents to start a non-profit
organization through which they could make their concern public. Now the
children also make presentations about the devastating effects of disposable
plastic.
The
most recent chirping bird with whom I have become acquainted is an 8th
grader from Illinois, Abby Goldberg. Abby began a school project with a view to
banning plastic bags in her home town. The school project very quickly changed
Abby’s life and she subsequently opened a facebook page calling herself
Activist Abby to bring awareness to the problems of plastic bags. I have been
so touched by Abby’s initiative, I want to help spread her passion and make her
the latest Honorary Chirping Bird. Actually Abby tells her story so well
herself, you can read about her in her own words:
I struggled for a long time for a school
project that would make a positive impact on my community and the environment.
The idea literally flew in my face. I live less than a mile from landfill and
on windy days, temporary fencing is put up to capture thousands of plastic
bags. Bags get entangled in the trees and bushes on the perimeter of my
neighborhood. Actually, that wasn’t what made me the angriest about plastic
bags. If you “Google” plastic bags, one of the first images you can find is of
a whole plastic bag wrapped around a seabird. That’s what got me hooked! I
couldn’t believe that was happening! I love animals! I needed to find out more.
I spent the first part of 7th
grade researching the issue. Besides being made from limited resources, I found
out that plastic bag litter was a huge problem. Once I started paying
attention, it seemed like everywhere I looked there was a plastic bag! How was
this happening? I spent just two hours at my local grocery store observing just
one checkout lane and counted 173 plastic bags leaving the store. How many
checkout lanes and how many stores are in the United States? This is where they
were coming from. The average American
uses 350-500 bags a year. On windy days, I can tell that not many people are
recycling these bags. I also learned that recycling plastic bags is really not
a good solution. But, that is a whole other blog! Not only are seabirds impacted by plastic
bags, but sea turtles, whales, cows, goats, and camels die a horrible death by
eating plastic bags. Why should I, a kid in the Midwest, care about plastic
bags litter so much?
We are all connected and everything
we do impacts OUR world. Plastic bags were made to be disposable, thrown away.
Oops, now WE have a problem. That plastic bag, that escaped my landfill, may
float in the river near my house, and then make its way to the Mississippi
river. That river leads to the ocean. That plastic bag may mistakenly end up as
a sea turtle’s dinner, killing it. Or, think about this. That plastic bag may
photodegrade, breaking into bits, attracting toxins and eaten by a fish. If you
are a seafood lover watch out! I would be heartbroken thinking I caused an
animal’s death all because I needed a convenient way to bring home something I
got at the mall. But what was I to do?
I was convinced that if I just told
my community about the dangers of plastic bags, the unlimited resources we were
using to make them, and how they are part of a bigger problem of our throw away
culture, that everyone would see my side and want to change. I would maybe make
a kid video, show pictures of animals entangled in plastic bags, and get a
whole presentation ready to show my village board. After all, bag bans were
happening all over the world. This was going to be fun. But, just when I started,
a bill was passed in my state that would ban any local communities from having
a plastic bag ban. How did that happen? I think it was a compromise that was
reached by the retailers, the bag makers, and representatives. It was supposed
to take care of bag litter. To keep everyone happy, goals were set to increase
the recycling of bags, but bans would not be allowed. This way retailers would
never have to deal with different local ordinances regarding plastic bags.
Well, now what?
A petition on Change.org was
suggested. Luckily, I had a friend who knew a friend! I learned quickly that
activists have a huge network of friends who help each other out. All have a
common goal of doing good in the world and are willing to share their
resources. Activists in my state were fighting this bill too and activist in
other states were trying to ban the bag. I had all kinds of advice from adults
willing to talk to a teenager. I quickly made a video plea to Change.org, wrote
a passionate letter, and I was on my way. I petitioned my governor to veto
Senate Bill #3442. With a network of new friends, and the help of social media,
I was able to get of 175,000 signatures and I am happy to report, the governor
did veto that bill. I got signatures from all over the world! People understood
that this bill could set a precedence and that the bag makers were influencing
politics to keep making their bags. I don’t know if bans, taxes on bags,
buyback programs or bag maker responsibility is the solution, but now my
village has the choice to solve the issue however they want to. Recently, I was
told that a plastic bag ban probably would never happen in my village or
county. Maybe that is the case, but we don’t have to wait for legislation! You
can be the change and change before you have to! Demand it of yourself.
After the veto, I started a facebook
page and I have started to visit some local schools to speak with kids about
the issue. I am determined to get the word out about plastic bags. I have the
facebook page loaded with articles, facts and pictures. The more people are
informed, the more likely they will make better decisions. The bag monster,
made of 500 bags one person may use in a year, is a great visual, an “Oh wow,”
moment. Now I am lucky enough to have another great visual aid, the education
kit from 5gyres! When I first opened it up, I was truly amazed! Teachers and
kids will literally see and TOUCH the plastic bits and debris taken from OUR
ocean. They can see what our marine life is living in and eating. Seeing will be
believing! I know personally, that whenever I can see and touch something as
part of a lesson, the facts stay with me.
Kids will understand that plastic items they may throw away might just
end up in the ocean. They will see that
when it comes to plastic, there is no away.
I not only discuss plastic bags, but
how kids have power to change their world. We don’t have money, special
interest groups or political power, but we do have our voices. You can write
letters to your representatives, work with other activists in your community,
and start petitions. If you see
something you want to change, are passionate about it, ask for help and educate
yourself about it. Find people who care about it too. Be creative in finding
your voice and most importantly educate others. Tell everyone and anyone.
Can you imagine if we all made a
collective decision not to use plastic shopping bags? The power of that would
be amazing. It all starts with just one.
What
a compelling story from such a young lady! Abby could teach us adults a thing
or two. I so much admire her initiative and spirit. This summer Abby will
further her plastic oceanic education by partaking in an Atlantic Ocean voyage
from Bermuda to Rhode Island with the non-profit organization 5 Gyres. After
Capt. Moore discovered the first gyre in the North Pacific, 5 Gyres was formed
to explore the other major gyres in our oceans.
The
Chirping Bird Society wishes Abby lots of luck with her future endeavors and we
will be following her passion, commitment and career with great interest.
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