The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) launched on World Environment Day (June 5) a global game to beat plastic pollution. Netizens, as well as celebrities, are playing it and participating in the campaign to end plastic wastes, especially single-use plastics such as drinking straws.
Some of the Hollywood celebrities that have been tagged and responded to the tag game are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Moby, William Shatner, and Jeri Ryan. Still others have been tagged but have yet to respond, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Miley Cyrus, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jimmy Fallon.
Some of the celebrities who have played tag are action star Arnold Schwarzenegger and singer Moby
Since it’s international, celebrities and netizens worldwide are tagging along with the game of tag to #beatplasticpollution. Let’s see who will be the first to join from this part of the world. This is a good advocacy since June is “Philippine Environment Month”. Let’s play tag then…
Here’s how to join the global game of tag:
- Choose which type of single-use plastic you’re ready to give up.
- Take a selfie (photo or video) showing yourself with the reusable alternative that you’re ready to embrace.
- Share your selfie on social media and “tag” three friends, businesses or high-profile people to challenge them to do the same within 24 hours. Be sure to use the #BeatPlasticPollution hashtag and mention @UNEnvironment
We are drowning in plastic wastes. The world produces about 300 million tons of wastes every year. That’s almost as heavy as the weight of the entire global population. How serious is that? So serious that plastic wastes are reaching our oceans and killing marine creatures.
Plastic leaks into the ocean weighs 13 million tons.
Besides playing the tag game, there are everyday things you can do to really beat plastic pollution. Here are some of them:
- Refuse plastic straws. Buy paper, steel or bamboo straws.
- Refuse plastic utensils in restaurants.
- Carry a refillable bottle or reusable coffee mug.
- Bring your own shopping bags (10 million plastic bags are used every minute).
- Buy unpackaged food or look for alternative packaging, such as brown bags.
- Pressure companies to use less plastic.
- Be an advocate for single-use plastic.
When you think about it, it’s really simple: if you can’t reuse it, just refuse it. Tag, you’re it!
