About the Event

On the eve of World Environment Day 2018, the Women in Sustainability (WiS) initiative at The Council hosted a screening of the award-winning documentary on plastic pollution – ‘A Plastic Ocean’, followed by a panel discussion. The screening was organised in support of #BeatPlasticPollution, the theme of UN World Environment Day 2018, urging governments, industries, communities, and individuals to refuse single-use plastic - polluting our oceans, threatening human health, and endangering marine life.

Described as ‘the most important film of our times’ by Sir David Attenborough, ‘A Plastic Ocean’ brings to light the harsh consequences of our global disposable lifestyle. Directed by Australian journalist Craig Leeson, the documentary dives deep and brings to the surface grave glimpses of the impacts of plastic on our environment, oceans and marine life. Filmed in 20 locations around the world, ‘A Plastic Ocean’ documents the irreversible effects of global plastic pollution through footage of marine species affected by plastic debris. The documentary, with its diverse team of adventurers, researchers and ocean ambassadors, also introduces workable technology and policy solutions that can change outlooks and the world for better.

Key Discussion Points

• The global plastic pollution crisis and its impact on our environment, oceans, and marine life.
• Importance of such timely documentaries that bring forth the issues we are grappling with as the habitants of this world.
• Government policies on waste-management and notable achievements of various non-governmental organisations working on waste management in different states of India. The nature of demand-supply curve in big corporations and their choices to continue using single-use plastic as packaging material.
• The way forward with a conscious decision to refuse single-use plastic and switching to reusable, recyclable plastic, and its alternatives.