So, our inaugural Pick up Plastic (PUP) walk near our local community garden in Canberra, is underway, planned for one or more of the days of the October long weekend in Canberra.
It would be great to see a 'grass roots' movement for a PUP walk. For example gymnasiums, sporting and other clubs, neighbours, work places, could incorporate the event into their social activities. Everyone has a lake, river, playground or reserve nearby. Join us, your efforts will be rewarded by the difference you will be making to our environment, your heart will thank you for the exercise :)
Why do we all need to do our bit?
Lakes and rivers can be just as contaminated with microplastics as the oceans. https://theconversation.com/beyond-our-oceans-microplastics-pollute-rivers-and-lakes-too-94559
Plastics also leech into the water, degrading the water quality with toxic compounds and end up harming human and animal health.https://thewatershed.org/how-does-plastic-pollution-harm-water/
Bird lovers unite and organise a regular PUP walk (however small) and give back to nature what it gives to us.
Several people joined me on a PUP walk today by the Molonglo River, in Canberra. The amount of plastic six people gathered in an area of the river bank that spanned only 50 meters was staggering. Walking/riding past the area you would not necessary see the rubbish but once you started 'combing' the area it was a different story. Rather than generating a lot of interest in our walk we focused on encouraging the wider community to go on a walk by themselves, with friends or family, pick up plastic, take a photo of it and post it on Facebook #pickupplastic. When will people get the message about the harm, plastic in particular is causing our environment and wildlife and try not to use it, but if they do, then to at least recycle it or dispose of it appropriately?
No pics as I still havent been able to compress my photos. Working on it.
Good work, whitewingedchough. Nature needs every bit of help it can get.