#Plastic
Article·13 min read

An introvert’s guide to making plastic history / Dyson Chee

Dyson Chee

A 2018 Ocean Heroes Bootcamp Champion, Dyson Chee goes into schools to raise awareness of the issues of a plastic-filled ocean. Here he shares his experience of helping successfully pass Bill 40, a landmark comprehensive ban on single-use plastics in his home state of Hawai‘i.

Dyson Chee
Aug 8, 2020
All the youth were standing in solidarity, holding our scroll up high for the councilmembers to see. Representing more than 1,500 students from the island of O‘ahu who supported Bill 40 but could not attend the hearing in person, this scroll had been an instrumental part of our campaign. 
This scroll was signed by over 1,500 students from O‘ahu, in a powerful symbol of support for Bill 40 · Dyson Chee
Marine plastic travels huge distances to reach the Hawaiian Islands. California is the closest landmass at about 2,400 miles away · Elizabeth Weber
As I dug deeper into my research, I discovered how the health of the ocean is intrinsically connected to the health of humans. Yet every minute the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic enters our ocean.
OHBC is an annual gathering of youth ocean activists from around the world · Tyler Wilkinson / The Wilder Studio
OHBC’s mission is to help the Ocean Heroes become effective advocates for the ocean in their own communities · Ocean Wise
Many existing and emerging OHBC youth leaders go on to create their own campaigns to take action against ocean plastic pollution · Ocean Wise
“Despite my lack of credentials, I was surprised to find that a lot of teachers really saw the value of a young person talking to their peers.” · Dyson Chee
Inspired by my experience at OHBC and the Lonely Whale team’s #StopSucking campaign, I challenged students to say no to plastic straws for a week. If they succeeded, I offered them a stainless steel straw to continue with their efforts and use as a conversation starter with friends.
“I’m super introverted. When I was younger, I absolutely hated public speaking and politics. Those were likely the last two things I ever imagined doing. And yet here I am.” · Dyson Chee
Dyson and friends. The youth movement is increasingly sparking change on climate issues · Dyson Chee
The Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare the interconnected cracks in our systems that have been there for a long time: societal inequities, environmental injustices, social injustices. We now have an opportunity to rethink and reset. There are better ways to live on this planet, and this pandemic is showing that from a new perspective. 
15 December, 2019 was a day of celebrations, when Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed the O‘ahu single-use plastics ban into law · Dyson Chee
Contributors

Dyson Chee

Plastics activist

Dyson is a high school student living in Hawaii. He founded Project O.C.E.A.N., through which he has educated thousands of people about the environmental impact of single-use plastics. He has also distributed more than 1,800 reusable straws, worked with schools to eliminate their use of single-use plastic bags, and testified before the state legislature about this issue.

Ocean Heroes Network

Global youth advocacy network

The Ocean Heroes Network & Bootcamp empowers existing and emerging youth leaders to create their own campaigns to take action against ocean plastic pollution. Ocean Heroes Bootcamp (OHBC) is a global gathering of young people passionate about helping our ocean and committed to making a difference. Whether in-person or virtual, the OHBC engages youth in skill building and networking to become effective advocates and champions for clean seas and a healthy ocean.

Short films

Voice Above Water

Voice Above Water is the story of Wayan Nyo, a 90-year-old Balinese fisherman who can no longer fish because of the amount of plastic piling up in the ocean. Wayan instead uses his fishing boat and net to collect trash from the ocean in hopes of one day being able to fish again. The story is a glimpse into how one human is using his resources to make a difference and a reminder that if we all play our part we can accomplish something much greater than ourselves.

Video·12:19
Plastic Warriors

The Bahamas is internationally recognized for its stunning seascapes and wealth of fauna and flora. However, this paradise is polluted by plastic — the marine litter concentrations for The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean are nearly three times the global average. Kristal Ambrose is a Bahamian marine and environmental scientist, also known as “Kristal Ocean.” After sailing across the Pacific Ocean to study an oceanic “garbage patch,” she returned home to inspire the government and local communities to move toward a plastic-free Bahamas, creating a nonprofit called Bahamas Plastic Movement. Through her unique, joyful approach to education and activism, Kristal connects Bahamian youth to the ocean and empowers them to use their voice to protect the natural environment. Together, they are the Plastic Warriors.

Video·10:29
Breathe This Air

The petrochemical industry and the pollution it creates disproportionately harms people of color and low-income communities. The need for a comprehensive and systemic policy to address the plastics crisis has never been greater.

Video·7:53

Petitions to stop plastics

Demand President Biden Declare an Emergency in East Palestine, Ohio
Tell the US Environmental Protection Agency: Protect Communities from Petrochemical Pollution
Urge the Army Corps of Engineers to Block the Toxic Greenfield Terminal
Stop the Deadly Buildout of DG Fuels and Air Products in Louisiana
Pass the Packaging Reduction & Recycling Act in New York
Hold Shell Accountable in Pennsylvania
Call on Leaders to Fund Research on the Impact of Plastic in Our Blood
Demand a Strong Global Plastics Treaty
Tell U.S. Leaders to Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act

Long reads in #Plastic

Toxic waters / Danni Washington

The pervasive poisoning of our world’s waters not only draws parallels to the toxicity of systemic racism — both further one another. An ocean explorer and the first Black woman to host a science series on television, Danni Washington wants you to know that there is no remedying one without the other.

Article·10 min read
Dreams of finding peace in a plastic-free ocean / Camila Torres

For Argentine photographer and filmmaker Camila Torres, living within touching distance of the ocean is what gives her peace. She spoke to us about her determination to free our seas from plastic.

Article·4 min read
Hawaii, humpback whales, and how to cut down on plastic use / Kelsey Williamson

Underwater, landscape, and travel photographer Kelsey Williamson — who is based on the island of Oahu, Hawaii — is passionate about raising awareness of ocean issues. She spoke to us about ways people can help stop plastic from flowing into our ocean.

Article·4 min read
Dune Ives / We’ve been sold disposability. We can demand a material change.

Our “throw-away” culture first developed during the 1918 pandemic, when disposable items were sold as the safe option to protect against disease. Today, in the face of another global pandemic and rampant plastic pollution, the plastics industry is taking advantage of the crisis, putting profits over people and the planet.

Article·11 min read
Campaign update