Alison Teal becomes 'Plastic Girl'
Client : Orca365 Conservation
Location : Nusa Lembongan, Bali
Alison Teal :
"On a recent trip to Indonesia to work with Orca365, I was stunned at how much the plastic pollution issue had worsened from the last time I was there.
Growing up and working in places like Bali, Maldives, Mexico, and Hawaii, I’ve watched plastic pollution plague these pristine places.
While positive efforts are being made by organisations and local villagers, I was scared it might be too little too late, and that our planet is close to being completely suffocated by plastic.
"While brushing plastic out of my way to swim with manta rays I thought of this “Plastic Girl” photo series - using me to symbolise how we'll all be suffocated by plastic if we don't look for alternatives to our daily plastic needs.
"The toxic smoke from burning plastic seared my lungs as I walked through what looked like an apocalyptic wasteland.
"This has been the case in the countries I’ve visited who don’t have modern recycling facilities; while slow burning plastic can physically reduce the landfill, the smoke can cause detrimental effects on human and animal life.
"When I step off the plane in Bali I feel like I am home. From the lush tiers of rice paddies, to the world class diving, and the famous fire dances, there is almost tangible magic in the air. The culture is fascinating, their smiles make it impossible not be happy.
Plastic pollution is not just an Indonesia issue, it is a global epidemic.
"Plastic is migrating in ocean currents from all over the world, and reefs are being destroyed by it. Reef fish are mistaking plastic for algae and can’t digest, in turn humans are consuming the same fish; we’re poisoning ourselves.
Marine life is dying at an alarming rate, as are the coral reef systems that provide approximately 70% of our worlds oxygen.
- 91% of plastic waste isn’t recycled.
- Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans.
- Plastic chemicals can be absorbed by the body.
- 93% of Americans age six or older test positive for BPA, a plastic chemical.
- 80% of marine litter comes from land-based sources.
- One million plastic bags are used every minute.
- Plastic pollution in the ocean will outweigh fish pound for pound by 2050
- Nearly a million plastic beverage bottles are sold every minute worldwide.
- Burning plastic creates deadly toxins for the human body, and greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.
"We need to seek alternatives to our daily plastic use to save our oceans, marine life, and reefs from devastation. Step by step we can work toward large form solutions to stop the production of single use plastic.
The health of our oceans depends upon consumer choices and programs to inspire government change.
Orca365 and I want to inspire travellers to experience the beauty of Bali and participate in cleaning the beaches and reducing our need of single use plastics.
"We protect what we love. I want everyone to fall in love with their special places around the world like I have.
With this campaign we hope to inspire others to think global and ACT local!
I choose to replace about 200 plastic water bottles a year with a Mobot water bottle.
And since more than 40% of plastic is used just once, I carry a Zoetica bag with reusable items like straws, utensils, and cups.
