FLOSSIE Donnelly, an 11-year -old beach clean activist, led a crowd of several hundred enthusiasts through the streets of Dún Laoghaire recently to call for an end to plastic pollution.
Flossie’s March for the Oceans was one of dozens of events to take place around the globe in recognition of World Ocean Day.
Joining the marchers were cathaoirleach Cllr Tom Murphy, Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, Cllr Cormac Devlin and Cllr Mary Fayne, who took up Flossie’s call for a ‘Plastic Free Irish Sea.’
After the march Flossie thanked everyone for joining her, before adding: “We can make a big dif-ference to the health of our oceans by making a few small changes. Use reusable coffee cups and drinks bottles and refuse plastic straws. We should also ask our politicians to do more to reduce plastic packaging.”
Speaking at the march, Dean Eaton, Acting Environmental Awareness Officer for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said: “We are delighted to support Flossie in her quest to save our oceans and would encourage everyone to reduce their reliance on plastic.”
In recognition of World Ocean Day legendary broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, issued a statement via the BBC: "The presence of the ocean touches every living thing no matter where it lives. The air we breathe and the water we consume are ultimately linked to the seas. The ocean drives our weather and stabilizes our climate. Nowhere is more powerful and unforgiving, yet more beautiful and endlessly fascinating," Attenborough narrates.
"We all need a healthy ocean, so we must change our ways," Attenborough added. "Together with the right management we can repopulate the seas. We can reduce marine pollution and minimise the impact of ocean acidification. The oceans' power of regeneration is remarkable if we just offer it the chance. It's not too late."
Here are 10 tips to help reduce your reliance on plastic:
Say NO to plastic straws and cutlery.
Use a water bottle rather than buying bottled water.
Support the Refill Ireland Campaign at www.refill.ie/
Encourage your local coffee shop to join the Conscious Cup Campaign at www.consciouscup.ie/
Use reusable shopping bags.
Avoid microbeads – products containing polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene.
e etc ter-ephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and nylon.
Ask your local shop to use less packaging.
Ask politicians to do more to tackle plastic packaging.
Choose loose tea, many teabags are made from plastic!
