We can keep on saying we have beautiful beaches, but one thing is for sure: trash is being dumped in our waters in undeniably astonishing amounts. Most of it is plastic, which marine animals often confuse for food.
In an effort to raise awareness about the huge problem, environmental group Greenpeace Philippines created a 50-foot whale installation art made from plastic debris. The hauntingly realistic sculpture may be viewed at Naic, Cavite until May 14, Sunday.
“The whale installation is made by friends of Greenpeace to help resonate our message that the ocean is drowning in plastic. It took them four days to make. It’s mostly plastic from junk shops from the community of Naic, Cavite, with bamboo used as a frame,” said Jezreel Belleza, digital campaigner for Greenpeace told Coconuts Manila.
The effort serves as a wake-up call. It sends the message that garbage in the sea is a huge, huge problem.
The environmental group also launched an online petition calling on “the ASEAN member states to take concrete measures against plastics pollution in the high seas.”
Here’s a (not so) fun fact: According to Greenpeace, a 2015 study named five ASEAN member states as the biggest sources of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans: Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
If you care about the environment (you should), may we suggest that you share the photos on social media, sign the petition, and maybe buy a metal straw?
Reader Interactions