A Plastic Ocean debuts in Chile
On July 3, International Plastic Bag Free Day, Plastic Oceans Chile, in close collaboration with the Municipality of Providencia’s Environmental Commission, held the first screening of a A Plastic Ocean in Chile.
The turnout was overwhelming with almost 130 attending: neighbors, NGOs, representatives of various embassies, students, Chilean scientists, and volunteers. They all came to see what is happening in our oceans and learn from it.
Previous to the screening, the Municipality of Providencia presented their plans for a local plastic bag reduction program, and the Dutch Ambassador, Marjon Kappeyne van de Coppello, spoke about her country’s efforts to clean up the oceans as well. Mark Minneboo, representing POF in Chile, spoke about the foundation’s work and tried to prepare the crowd for what was to come.
An overwhelming 102 minutes later, the crowd was happy to receive a courtesy drink, some cookies and a free reusable shopping bag. In the post-screening conversation many questions were asked, new volunteers were registered and people went home with a lot to think about.
In the days after the screening, Plastic Oceans Chile received many emails from people offering help and asking about if the documentary could be shown in other places as well. Conversations are already underway with two Universities, the Ministry of Environment and an ocean science camp in September during the International IMPAC4 congress.
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